Losing your balance, struggling to get off the floor, or having trouble getting out of the car are often written off as "just part of getting old." At Anastasia Fitness in St. Augustine, FL, we don't see it that way. Coach Kevin VanDyke says that from a mindset standpoint, what you settle on is usually where you'll end up, and a spring in your step isn't something you have to give up.
Is losing strength and mobility just part of aging?
Not in Coach Kevin VanDyke's view. The people who keep gardening, pulling weeds, getting down on the ground and popping back up are the ones who decided to commit to maintaining their strength. He says you see examples of that all around us.
Is yoga enough to stay mobile as you get older?
Mobility matters: can you do a deep squat, and do your joints still move the way they should? Coach Kevin says yoga is really valuable for that. But the one thing yoga can't really give you is the power to stop a fall when you stumble, to skip up over a step, or to get off the ground quickly while playing with the grandkids. That's where strength training and power training come in, alongside flexibility.
Why does strength matter for balance?
Some elements of balance may decline with age, but Coach Kevin calls strength and power the safety net. If you do lose your balance, can you stick your foot in the ground and stop the momentum before it takes you all the way down? Balance and strength work go hand in hand.
How do our coaches test your balance?
One quick assessment we use is simple: can you balance on one foot for 20 seconds? If you can't, our coaches know we're starting from a different place and that balance work belongs in your plan. As Coach Kevin puts it, we always meet you where you're at.
Can balance actually get better with age?
Yes. Balance is one of the things that can improve, not just be maintained, and you can get stronger too. Coach Kevin's caution: when people feel their balance slipping, they often switch to seated machines. That may maintain some strength and muscle mass, but it doesn't improve balance.
Why train standing up instead of on seated machines?
"Life is a stand-up sport, not a sit-down sport," says Coach Kevin. Working with a coach or in a small group keeps you upright and challenged, rather than compensating for poor balance by sitting down. Doing it all yourself is where people can miss that opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can older adults improve their balance?
Yes. Balance can get better with age, not just be maintained, when you train it on purpose.
What is a simple balance test?
Try standing on one foot for 20 seconds. If you can't, our coaches will build balance work into your plan.
Is yoga enough for older adults?
Yoga is valuable for mobility, but strength and power training are what help you stop a fall and get up off the ground quickly.
Should I use seated machines if my balance is poor?
Coach Kevin VanDyke recommends training upright with a coach or small group rather than compensating by sitting down.
Where is Anastasia Fitness?
On Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, FL, right across from the Surf Station, with easy parking and an outdoor pool.
How long has Anastasia Fitness been open?
41 years. We're a local, family-owned club.
Visit Anastasia Fitness
Noticing less mobility, trouble getting up from a chair, or trouble getting out of your car? Those things can improve. Stop by Anastasia Fitness, across from the Surf Station on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine. There's always someone on staff to answer your questions, there's easy parking and an outdoor pool, and it's a fun, no-judgment community. Learn more at www.anastasiafit.com.
Coach Kevin VanDyke and the Anastasia Fitness team are fitness coaches, not doctors. Check with your physician before starting a new exercise program.
Coach Kevin VanDyke's comments originally aired on WSOS 103.9 FM / 1170 AM, St. Augustine.