Balance refers to the ability to maintain your line of gravity within your base of support. It can also be described as the ability to maintain equilibrium.
Pilates increases strength and flexibility in both the core and the legs, which positively affects balance. This, along with basic fitness benefits, can help them reduce the risk of falls.
We can train on Reformer 2 types of balance:
Static balance – The ability to balance while holding one position.
Dynamic balance – The ability to balance while moving or changing between different positions.
Both static and dynamic balance requires that your centre of gravity is aligned over your base of support. Your centre of gravity is about one inch below your belly button in the exact centre of your body.
Contrary to traditional resistance exercises based on training muscles in an isolated manner, Pilates exercises require a more holistic approach and require activation and coordination of several muscle groups at the same time. The best thing about Pilates is that it is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness due to the modifiable nature of the movements.
Pilates exercises are designed to strengthen your core muscles such as the Transversus abdominus.
If you build up your core strength through a Pilates routine, you will develop strong core muscles and improve trunk stabilization.
The importance of this is that you need to work hard to stabilize your body while exercising on this moving equipment. We can also decrease the spring resistance as required thus giving you more instability and more of a challenge. The different positions that you put your body in during your Pilates program such as 4-point kneeling, planking, kneeling on reformer etc can challenge your balance to varying degrees. Once you have mastered one exercise, we like to decrease the stability in some form to make it more challenging to your core muscles. Remember that a stronger core will mean better balance.
The standing exercises may provide more of a balance challenge and could provide greater benefits in improving balance and even non-standing Pilates exercises may help people improve their balance.
Being consistent with your Pilates program your balance can improve quite quickly and lower the number of falls, so don’t miss a Class and HAVE FUN!
