A fitness expert has revealed the one exercise that can "completely transform your body" in just a few months - and it won't leave you struggling to catch your breath like a high-intensity cardio workout.
We all know that exercise is an important way to stay fit and healthy, but for those over the age of 50, workouts such as HIIT may not be suitable and there are other ways you can give your body the exercise it needs without going over the top.
And according to instructor Abby McLachlan, the best low-impact workout for older people who want to look and feel younger is actually Pilates.
The century-old form of exercise helps to strengthen your muscles, gets you moving and stretching, and even has anti-ageing benefits - all while being a low-intensity and low-impact workout, making it accessible for all ages and fitness levels.
Abby told The Express: "Pilates is nearly 100 years old, with origins rooted in healing and rehabilitation. It was invented by Joseph Pilates initially to help fellow inmates develop muscle strength at an internment camp on the Isle of Man but now is practised in gyms and boutique studios around the world, including at East of Eden in Walthamstow.
"Like yoga, it is a mind and body practice, matching breath to movement, but in yoga, you use the breath to connect the mind and body to a higher consciousness."
What's more, you won't even have to head to Pilates classes for years before you start to see results - as just 10 sessions are enough to make you "feel better", and 30 sessions will give you a "new body".
She added: "You will feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 sessions, and have a completely new body in 30 sessions."
Pilates focuses on spinal alignment and the small muscles that provide your musculoskeletal system with support, so although it can be low impact, Abby would recommend that anyone suffering from spinal injuries consult a qualified Pilates instructor before attending a class.
Similarly, pregnant women should ensure they see a prenatal-trained instructor, as some exercises are unsuitable for pregnancy.
"A lifetime of poor posture – hunching over your computer or phone, carrying children and heavy bags on one side – can lead the muscles in your back to become weak and strained, leading to joint and disc issues," the expert said.
"Pilates concentrates on strengthening the deep postural muscles, raising awareness of how one stands and the general alignment of hips, spine and head.
"This awareness alone can go a long way to improving posture, but the strength built with highly targeted, specific exercises will support the spinal column, in effect future-proofing your body."
According to Abby, Pilates works on supporting the muscles around the spine, including the core and the glutes. It also helps your joints and makes sure they're surrounded by strong muscles, which could in turn reduce your chances of injury.
She added: "It's a form of exercise that can be done into old age without any negative impact on the body and joints, and helps maintain cognitive ability, balance, bone density as well as spinal health."
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