Posts In: suspension training

Older adults can take advantage of the latest training equipment to better their health. Don’t worry, what we have in mind doesn’t require you install an app and doesn’t have a touch screen. However, it will target specific challenges older adults face, and will reduce your likelihood to fall. We’re talking about the TRX system and the suspension training it allows.

Advantages of Suspension Training

The TRX system hooks securely into the wall and has two elastic lines with secure handles on the ends. All exercises involve holding the handles with your hands or feet. The system can take the full weight of almost all people, which means that it is a built-in fall prevention mechanism. If you stumble while holding the TRX handles, the system will support you.

The TRX system provides resistance quite similar to free weights. However, it is much more flexible. You can adjust the intensity of the TRX workout on a moment’s notice, simply by walking closer to the wall for less challenge, and further away for a more intense workout. This saves you the trouble of switching out weights, including bending down to store one pair while you grab another.

While many seniors use the TRX system while standing, it can also adapt perfectly to exercise while laying down. This can help seniors who are recovering from falls to exercise their upper or lower body without risk of falling again. The system lends well to gentle, low-risk exercises that can help you maintain your strength when you otherwise may not have been able to.

In particular, seniors in downsized-homes or retirement complexes will appreciate that the TRX sytem doesn’t take up much space, especially when compared to other exercise equipment.

What Older Adults Can Achieve with Suspension Training

As suspension training gives seniors the benefits of weight training with reduced risks and greater flexibility, you can target many different aspects of health that are particularly important for seniors.

This includes:

• Grip strength
• Core strength
• Ligament and tendon flexibility and strength
• Overall balance and stability
• Joint mobility
• Bone strength
• Gait
• Posture

Many of these advantages, especially strength, cannot be well-developed by seniors in typical low-risk activities like swimming and cycling. Suspension training is a great option for seniors to get these rare benefits without adding to their fall risk.

Suspension training can also help reduce chronic pain. One study, conducted in Germany, found that after weeks of TRX training, 36 percent of the seniors reported their musculoskeletal pain had decreased.

Get Started with Resistance Training

At Absolute Pilates, we have the TRX system and the professional guidance you need to get started, safely. Learn the best TRX exercises for seniors in a safe environment and how to adjust the level of challenge to suit your ability. We can also teach you to target specific advantages that you need to improve your overall quality of life. Contact us anytime for more information on our TRX sessions.