Our most recent workshop we held just a few weeks ago was all about Menopause. Tips and Tricks you need to know to “breeze” through the inevitable.
One of the things we can’t emphasize enough is movement!
As we age and experience hormonal changes during menopause, all sorts of things can happen. We lose bone density, our energy and mood decreases, and we can even become at risk for heart disease.
This is why exercise and maintaining muscle becomes increasingly important for our overall health, metabolism and independence.
With so many fitness trends and fads out there, it’s hard to focus in on what type of exercise your body needs to thrive. Identifying the best path starts with better understanding some of the physiologic changes the female body experiences after forty and how to best combat them!
Let’s have a look at the many reasons you should take up Pilates, ESPECIALLY during Menopause!
1. Physiological Weakening
It is a known fact that after the fourth decade our bodies begin to naturally weaken. This process, known as sarcopenia, affects the ability of our skeletal muscles to contract and accelerates with age. We start to feel the effects of this in our forties and the uphill battle against muscle atrophy begins. Pilates has been a preferred method for building core strength for decades.
2. Post-partum Weakness
If you were busy having kids in your thirties, you get a double whammy in your forties. Not only were your abdominal and pelvic muscles completely stretched to their limits, but you were also probably so busy being a new mom that you never properly addressed the residual weakness from having kids. While post-partum weakness is very common, it can lead to various health problems like lower back pain and bladder leakage.
3. Time Efficiency
Pilates is an amazing total body fitness option. It’s a one-stop-shop for muscle toning, better mobility/ flexibility, and a stronger body and general. This means you don’t have to spend hours at the gym or hauling tail to 50 different classes. You can check all your fitness boxes with Pilates!
4. Low Impact Fitness
The low impact nature of Pilates makes it great for the health of your bones and joints. Depending on whether you want to take on mat or reformer Pilates, you will be using your own body weight or springs for resistance. This allows you to get a great strength workout while keeping your joints comfortable and protected.
5. Resilience To Injury
When you choose to build strength and mobility through Pilates, you are also beefing up your body to be resilient against future injuries. The better shape you are in, the less chance you have to injure yourself and the faster you will bounce back if something does happen.
6. Preservation And Enhancement Of Balance
A strong center is key to maintaining and improving your balance. During your Pilates sessions, the nerve endings in your hands and feet are constantly sending signals to your brain to help enhance your sensory experience. At the same time, you are strengthening your legs and core, so if you ever do lose your balance temporarily, you can quickly recover to prevent a would-be fall.
7. Appearance Of Posture
As you now know, we all begin to succumb to certain age-related weakness after 40. You need adequate flexibility of the chest, strength of your back muscles and control of your pelvis to prevent postural abnormalities. Pilates is a total-body fitness option that happens to both build strength and stretch you too.
Keep Reading To See Why You Should Choose Us For Pilates
- Our Pilates instructors are also physical therapists
- Because our instructors are also clinicians, they are comfortable helping people with various conditions and understand the special considerations needed to prevent further injury
- Get individual feedback with each session on your form and ways you can modify the movements to maximize your benefit and comfort
- When you join a group reformer class, you will be one of only four people, meaning the instructor will always keep an eye out for you and correct your form quickly when needed
- Conveniently located in the heart of Metairie offering morning, midday, and evening classes
- We specialize in working with our 40+ community stay healthy, active, and mobile
Interested in getting started? Let’s connect – we’re happy to answer any questions you may have! Call us at 504-407-3477 or click the link for class availability.