Most of us, when exercising or staying fit, only think about the benefits we can feel now. We want a strong, flexible, and healthy body now, without thinking too much about the long-term impact of those exercise habits. But what if the exercise you do today could be a valuable investment for your health in old age? Reformer Pilates , a form of Pilates exercise that uses a special tool called the Reformer , is not only effective for physical fitness now, but also has incredible benefits in the future as the body ages.
For those of you who are now 20 to 45 years old, building a habit of regular Pilates Reformer exercise can be a way to prepare a stronger, more balanced, and healthier body in old age. Let's discuss some of the benefits of Pilates Reformer exercise that you can feel when you start to age.
1. Maintain Body Flexibility
As we age, our bodies naturally stiffen. Our muscles and joints are no longer as flexible as they were when we were younger. Poor flexibility can lead to a variety of health problems, including decreased mobility, poor posture, and a higher risk of injury. Regular Pilates Reformer exercises help maintain muscle and joint flexibility.
Reformer Pilates involves gentle yet effective movements, combining stretching and strengthening exercises that focus on flexibility. Exercises like Leg Circles and Spine Stretches gently help lengthen and loosen the muscles of the body, especially in areas that tend to get tight with age like the lower back, hips, and hamstrings.
2. Reduce the risk of injury and falls
One of the biggest concerns in aging is the risk of falls and injuries. With decreased balance and weakened muscle strength, older adults are more susceptible to minor accidents that can have serious consequences. Reformer Pilates is a workout that focuses heavily on balance and stability.
In this workout, the various movements on the Reformer involve strengthening the core and stabilizer muscles, which are essential for maintaining balance. Exercises such as Footwork and Standing Splits train the body to maintain stability while moving, thus minimizing the risk of falls or injuries in later life. In other words, a Reformer Pilates routine at a young age can help you stay strong and stable as you age.
3. Improves Body Posture as You Age
Poor posture is a common problem among older people. As we age, the spine begins to lose its flexibility, the shoulders tend to hunch forward, and the neck often becomes pulled forward. All of this can lead to ongoing discomfort and pain.
Reformer Pilates is a great way to improve and maintain good posture. By focusing on core strengthening and exercises that target overall posture, you can maintain good body alignment as you age. Moves like Pelvic Tilts or Shoulder Bridges work the muscles that support your spine and help maintain good body position.
4. Maintain Bone Density
As you age, the risk of osteoporosis, or decreased bone density, becomes a serious health concern. Many people lose bone strength as they age, making them more susceptible to fractures. Resistance exercises, such as those found in Reformer Pilates, help maintain bone strength and prevent osteoporosis.
Reformer Pilates allows the body to work against the resistance provided by the spring system of the machine. These exercises, such as Leg Presses and Arm Circles, challenge the bones, helping to stimulate new bone growth and maintain bone density. Therefore, practicing Pilates regularly in your youth can be an important investment in maintaining your bone health in your later years.
5. Improves Respiratory Function
Reformer Pilates exercises involve very controlled breathing techniques. As we age, lung capacity often decreases, leading to shallower, less efficient breathing. By practicing regular breathing exercises in Pilates, you can maintain good respiratory function even as you age.
Pilates breathing exercises teach you how to breathe more deeply and efficiently, engaging your diaphragm and other respiratory muscles. This not only helps increase lung capacity, but also increases oxygenation in the body, which is important for overall energy and health.
6. Improve Mental and Cognitive Health
It’s not just the physical that benefits from Reformer Pilates, but also mental health. Regular Pilates practice has been shown to help reduce stress, improve focus, and stimulate cognitive health. As you age, maintaining your mental health becomes even more important. Through focused movements and breathing techniques, Pilates also serves as a form of active meditation that helps relieve stress and promotes peace of mind.
Mindfulness-based exercises can also help slow the cognitive decline that often occurs in older age. With the focus and concentration trained in each Reformer Pilates session, brain health can be maintained better.
7. Improve Overall Quality of Life
With good muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and better posture, life in old age will be more comfortable and enjoyable. Regular practice of Reformer Pilates helps maintain mobility and overall health, allowing you to stay active and independent in old age.
Preparing yourself with Reformer Pilates while you are young means that you are preparing your body for the future. You will be better prepared to enjoy everyday activities without pain or physical limitations, and be able to live a better quality of life.
Reformer Pilates is not just a current fitness trend, but a long-term investment in future health. By practicing regularly, you will not only improve your strength, flexibility, and balance now, but also prepare your body to remain active, healthy, and independent as you age.
For those of you aged 20 to 45, starting a Pilates Reformer workout now can pay huge dividends later in life. A strong, balanced body not only helps you get through each day better, but it also gives you a health cushion that you will enjoy as you age.
