The problems that many older people begin to experience include becoming overweight, bodily aches and pains, osteoporosis, gaining weight and a general lack of energy.

Pilates is one form of exercise where there is no maximum age and even better, it is ideal for that have let their exercise routine slip – or perhaps haven’t had any exercise for some time.

Unlike some forms of exercise, Pilates won’t place stress on your joints or leave you out of breath – but that does not mean that you won’t feel the benefits.

A good Pilates instructor will allow you to work at your own pace. With regular Pilates classes, you will build flexibility through stretching exercises and build your strength and stamina through the postures and exercise. As the exercises we do in Pilates classes are small, controlled movements there is little risk of injury when compared to other exercises too.

Pilates helps build back, abdominal and pelvic strength and is especially good at dealing with back pain and tension, improving your body posture in the process. Many older participants report improvements in their joints, particularly in inflammation and swelling reductions. Pilates can help to improve circulation, this even improving bone density and helping with osteoporosis – or preventing it. Joseph Pilates himself, the creator of Pilates, lived to a grand age with an active life to the end.

Possibly most important of all, Pilates classes help people of all ages to socialise and make new friends. At livepilates, we offer small and friendly, relaxed Pilates classes in Preston, Blackburn and Clitheroe areas as well as the more rural areas of Lancashire and the Ribble Valley like Rochdale and Rawtenstall. We are always happy to welcome new members.

With every rider, whether you like hacking or dressage, common issues include neck or body stiffness, lower back pain, excessive movement from the legs or arms and other problems that can be corrected using Equilates.

A good Pilates instructor does not necessarily understand the finer detail of Equilates as there are specific movements that can be used specifically for the horse rider. Equilates can help you achieve a deeper and more independent seat in the saddle, better posture for riding and life in general and an improved connection with your horse as well as greater strength, flexibility and the ability to use lighter yet more effective aids.

Equilates classes should be conducted in small groups with like-minded people. Horses receive special training and yet as a rider, we have our own imbalances that can be corrected for that winning edge or greater communication with our horse.

By learning to use core stability and strengthen the muscles in the lower back region, riders gain a greater level of stability in the saddle and this can therefore prevent injury.

To avoid that excessive leg or arm movement, riders learn how to use their own body’s ‘Powerhouse’, i.e. that natural corset of stomach muscles that ensure your body remains centred. By learning to use this strength, you learn to move legs and arms independently and gain that all-important independent seat in the saddle.

After all, if your weight is crooked or uneven in the saddle, or your body is naturally stronger on one side – as it naturally is with everyone – then your horse will try to counter-balance this and it shows in his paces. By correcting these balances, you correct the imbalance that will otherwise show in your jumping, dressage, cross country or other riding.