EXERCISE | For Strength and Balance

Physical activity is any activity that moves your body and increases the amount of energy you use. Regular activity makes you stronger, improves your balance, and helps prevent falls. To acheive health benefits and improve functional abilities, adults aged 65 years and older should do at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week, in chunks of 10 minutes or more.

For in-person classes in your area, contact your local recreation/community centre and/or seniors' centre for a list of available strength and balance exercise classes. Remember to ask your doctor, physiotherapist, or health care provider about the best type of exercise program for you.

Try physical activities for: 

• Improving Strength
• Improving Balance
• Flexibility exercises, such as tai chi

Resources

Exercise Videos

The BC Government has some resources to help you exercise at home. Strength and Balance for Life (STABL) is a set of activity resources that support the well-being and independence of older adults by reducing the risk of falls.

They include: 

• Goal setting information
• A tracking sheet to record progress
• Strength and balance activities

There are three different levels of activities you can do at home to improve your body strength and balance. These exercises promote upper and lower body strength and safeguard against falls and fall-related injuries to the head, neck, and spinal cord. Start slowly and work up to doing these activities 2 to 3 times a week.

STABL resources are available in English, Mandarin, Spanish, Korean, and more. View them all on the Finding Balance BC YouTube page.