We all know aging can take a toll on your body. As the years go on, you can’t move as swiftly as before and there are certain movements that your body refuses to carry out. However, like a pianist practicing basic scales, mastering a few key fundamental movements can help your body avoid pain and injury so you can accomplish daily tasks and exercises more easily with less pain.
According to exercise specialists, training your body to properly carry out hinge, squat, lunge, push, pull, and rotation can increase your range of motion and keep your body healthy in daily movements. You might not think you’re using these movements every day, but whether you’re bending down to get a package or reaching up to grab something from the top shelf, these six movements are the building blocks of all your movements.
Practicing targeted exercise movements that focus on these fundamental motions can help teach your body how to safely perform tasks that incorporate these movements. Muscle memory is what helps your body remember how to ride a bike or drive a car, but it’s also what makes you continue to repeat movements in a potentially dangerous way.
We all form habits and movements that could put our bodies at risk of injury – however minor. From rounding your back when lifting a heavy package to overloading your knees when you stand, these subtle mistakes could lead to pain and injury with enough repetition.
Exercises that focus on reteaching your body how to properly carry out these fundamental movements will eventually seep into your muscle memory. Repeating movements the correct way will help your body remember how to do the movements right when accomplishing daily tasks, making you less likely to hurt yourself.
At Harbor’s Edge, we have a stunning fitness center with experienced personal trainers who can work with you to create the perfect fitness plan to keep you up and moving for years to come. With regular wellness and fitness classes, you can also practice your movement in a group setting to get in some social interaction with other residents.
With help from our trainers – who specialize in aging – you’ll feel years younger and light as a feather on your feet. Say goodbye to aches and pains, and hello to a healthier, happier you.
