The exercises in stability training are performed in an unstable environment with low intensity and high repetitions
Strength training is a key component to overall heath and wellness. According to Mayo Clinic, lean muscle mass naturally diminishes with age but by adding strength training to your fitness routine you’ll help preserve and enhance your muscle mass. Strength training can also help develop strong bones, help you manage your weight, improve your ability to do everyday activities and reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic conditions.
However, at Mindful Matters Wellness we have found that most people need stabilization training before they can focus on getting stronger. We see a lot of patients who have injuries because they have performed strength training exercises without first building a solid foundation for muscular endurance, joint stability, flexibility, posture and muscular coordination. This leads to overcompensation of one muscle to another ultimately creating muscle imbalances which can cause discomfort, pain and injury.
Stabilization training is a form of physical therapy that is designed to support the muscles by increasing the ability of the right muscles to work effectively while stabilizing joint movement and developing optimal posture. Stabilization and balance training is essential for all types of physical activity including functional fitness, women health, mens health, senior wellness, post-rehabilitation and athletic performance training.
Stabilization training utilizes exercises as well as stretching and aerobic conditioning to rehabilitate and address a patients overcompensations and unbalances. The exercises in stability training are performed in an unstable environment with low intensity and high repetitions. Rather than progressing to higher intensities patients progress through various levels of unstable environments. Stability and balance training provide our patients with an efficient workout in terms of caloric burn while building endurance for future strength training and post-therapy fitness.
Stabilization training before strength training is a model supported by physical therapists and most qualified personal trainers. We highly recommend participating in stabilization training before beginning strength or endurance training. If you are interested in learning more about how stabilization training can help you reach your fitness goals you can schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists or attend one of our medically supervised fitness classes.