Regular movement is key to staying fit and strong as we age, with guidelines recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. Swimming, running, strength training, and cycling are all good options - but they aren't the only ingredients for healthy ageing. Sometimes, you need to hold still.
Isometric exercise – working the muscles by holding a static pose for a period of time – is a great low-impact way to build fitness. A review of 270 trials published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that isometric exercises, such as a plank and wall sits, are more effective at lowering blood pressure than other forms of exercise. But that’s not the only benefit of a bodyweight Pilates workout. As anyone who has found themselves shaking throughout a squat hold in an at-home Pilates workout will tell you, they are crucial for building strength.
