<\/p>\nTo boost your longevity, you should also incorporate exercises that actively challenge your stability and balance.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAs we age, maintaining stability becomes increasingly important because it supports our ability to move through life with confidence and control,\u201d Vicario explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cBalance and stability aren’t just fitness skills. They’re part of maintaining independence and continuing to do the things we love, increasing our healthspan.\u201d<\/p>\n
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To build better stability, Vicario recommends mixing up your routine with exercises that require your core to keep you steady while other parts of your body are in motion.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re asking your muscles and joints to create strength and control while your position is changing,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Start your week with achievable workout ideas, health tips and wellbeing advice in your inbox.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour deep core and smaller stabilizing muscles have to communicate with the rest of the body to keep you centered, aligned, and in control.\u201d<\/p>\n
One prime example is the leg flutter: lying on your back with your legs extended and torso lifted, you flutter your feet up and down.<\/p>\n
While it looks simple, it\u2019s surprisingly hard for your core muscles to stabilize your body and prevent your torso from rocking side-to-side.<\/p>\n
What to read next<\/p>\n
To bolster your balance, you need to do unilateral work, like single-leg deadlifts or lunges.<\/p>\n
Combined, these styles of exercises strengthen your core muscles and train them to stabilize you when your balance is tested.<\/p>\n
Vicario has created a workout that contains both types of moves, so you can hone these skills at home.<\/p>\n
All you\u2019ll need is two dumbbells\u2014a lighter option and a slightly heavier weight\u2014along with 20 minutes of free time.<\/p>\n