6 Balance Exercises to Practice as You Age

Balance is just as important as building strength and fitness, especially as you get older. Balance is the ability to distribute your weight to stand and move without falling (or tripping or getting caught). Balance exercises especially train your coordination and sense of gravity.

Why does balance become more important as we age? The body’s balance system naturally deteriorates over time. “As we age, the brain slows down in processing important sensory input, including the inner ear, eyes, and even the sensation of our feet touching the ground, called proprioception,” says Colleen M. Casey, Ph.D., a certified adult nurse practitioner and medical director of the senior health program at Providence Senior Health in Portland, Oregon.

Consult your doctor before starting a balance exercise program for seniors, especially if you have poor balance or are at risk of falls. It may help reveal whether your balance problems are related to medications or an underlying medical condition, says Robin Culbertson, M.D., a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy based in Columbia, South Carolina, and spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association.

Once your doctor gives you the all-clear, try doing these exercises Dr. Culbertson recommends every day. All you need is a sturdy countertop and a chair for support. As your balance improves, consider adding light dumbbells to increase the resistance.