Despite what you might think, poor balance isn’t something you’re born with—the difference between shaky steps and sure-footed strides is a matter of practice. In fact, the simplest way to improve your coordination is to stand up. “It’s use it or lose it,” says Julia Valentour, programs coordinator for the American Council on Exercise. “The more we sit and the less active we are, the more likely our balance will deteriorate.”
Why invest time in training better balance? It helps improve posture, spinal stability, sports performance (you don’t want to make a fool of yourself at the company softball game, do you?), and prevents serious injuries. Older adults with poor balance are more likely to trip, stumble, or fall while performing basic daily activities. In fact, 1 in 3 adults ages 65 and older fall each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those spills can lead to some scary injuries to the brain, hips, legs, feet, and even damage to internal organs. Yikes.
