After five weeks in my new job, I have come the realization that older adults who go to the gym get it; they understand the importance of consistent movement if they want to continue doing the things they like to do. The people who are at the gym regularly are doing what it takes to age successfully. We all are trying to fight the aging process and the members at Equinox are doing it right!
As a result, my "fall prevention" workshops and "balance assessments" are not going over too well at the gym. This could be in part that a lot of people work with personal trainers and the other half don't want to admit weakness. Afterall, falls happen to "old" people and I'm not old!
This has been a learning process and it's taken me back to my personal fitness training days at Gold's Gym in Granite Bay. I trained there before returning to grad school and it was there where I developed my passion for fall prevention education and balance training. I recall that my area of expertise wasn't successful at Gold's either because the gym crowd gets it!
The gym crowd is doing the stretching and strengthening exercises needed to keep them independent. What I have learned is that everyone needs to progressively challenge their balance. I"m not talking about standing on a BOSU ball while squatting and rowing but I am talking about challenging the sensory systems involved in balance and strengthening the stabilizing muscles critical to balance.
EXERCISE.
- It doesn't have to complicated.
- It doesn't have to be painful.
- It does need to be consistent.
- It does need to be individually tailored to your needs.
- It does need to be progressively challenging.
The Fall Prevention Lady
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