by:  Amy Dixon, NCPT; owner of Inner Strength Pilates

A few months ago, I took a short break from most exercise, partly as an experiment, partly busy and partly just plain lazy. As I sat on the floor wrapping Christmas gifts, I noticed the discomfort in my hips and back. Then, when I stood up, the aches all over were pronounced. I thought, is this what people feel all the time if they don’t move their bodies? Frankly, it was a little scary. When you stop moving, it hurts to try to move, so you don’t try to move, and then you can’t move. 

It’s a downward spiral. I’ve seen so many times how health declines when the motion-rich environment disappears. So many things are out of our control, but this one isn’t.  

Get. Moving. 

During our staff retreats, social time with girlfriends, conversations with clients and at my bible study, I’ve noticed that I’ve reached the age where many of our conversation topics tend to be about hormones, exercise and supplements, memory, skincare woes and eyeglass readers! I am now 52, recently became a Grandma and definitely need readers. My recent experiment taught me that, if I don’t move consistently, I’m going to struggle getting down on the floor with that little one. Yep, as long as motion is an option, I’ll keep moving. 

At Inner Strength Pilates, many of our clients are 50+, and I’ve always admired their dedication, especially those in their 70s and 80s! They have figured out that Pilates is indeed for everyone and is crucial for keeping them mobile. 

Nicole, one of our instructors, has a favorite saying that is “Do Pilates so you can do life.”

Translation: Build strength, control and sanity so everyday stuff doesn’t wreck you – physically or mentally. It’s about moving better outside the workout, not just surviving the workout.

• Build a body that lasts.

• Not just more years, but better ones.

As we age and step into grandparent life, fitness is less about aesthetics and starts being about capacity – what your body can still do for the life you want to live.

Why fitness matters more as we age:

Aging naturally brings loss of muscle, balance, mobility and bone density. Without intentional movement, that loss accelerates, and everyday tasks start to feel heavy, risky or exhausting. Staying fit isn’t about “staying young;” it’s about staying independent.

Why Pilates is especially powerful for this stage of life:

Pilates trains the things that matter most for long-term health and grandparent living:

• Core strength for daily life
  Lifting grandchildren, getting up from the floor, carrying car seats – this is real-world core work. Pilates builds deep, functional strength that protects the spine.
• Balance and fall prevention
  Falls are one of the biggest threats to healthspan as we age. Pilates improves balance, coordination and body awareness, reducing injury risk.
• Joint health and mobility
  Pilates keeps hips, shoulders and spines moving smoothly, which means less stiffness, less pain and more freedom.
• Posture and breathing
  Better posture = better breathing, energy and confidence. Pilates helps counteract the rounded posture that often comes with aging.
• Low-impact, sustainable movement
  It’s gentle on joints but highly effective – something you can do consistently for decades, not just seasons.

The grandparent perspective:

Fitness means:

• Getting down on the floor and back up.
• Playing without fear of injury.
• Traveling comfortably.
• Keeping up with energetic little humans.
• Being present, not limited by pain or fatigue.

Pilates supports the “healthspan within your lifespan” – more good years, not just more years.

In short: 

You don’t do Pilates to look good as you age. You do Pilates so you can live well, stay connected and fully enjoy the people who matter most – especially the next generation.

Our staff has more than 150 years of combined training and expertise, and can help you manage whatever your level of fitness, just make the choice to hop in! Be an example to your kids and grandkids – maybe even your great-grandkids! 

Amy has been serving the fitness community in Winston-Salem for more than 32 years as a personal trainer and Pilates teacher. She has owned Pilates studios since 2002, and ISP is celebrating 14 years in the Harper Hill Commons Shopping Center! Contact us at 336.813.5320 or InnerStrengthPilatesNC.com