We Started Out Moving Naturally
Have you ever noticed how easily young children squat?
Feet flat on the ground, balanced, comfortable and without a second thought.
Fast forward into adulthood and many of us start to struggle getting out of a chair, squatting to pick something up or getting back up again.
We joke that we’re getting old – even when we’re still in our 20s or 30s.
But is it really our age ? … or have many of us simply stopped moving the way our bodies were designed to?
Our Bodies Were Made to Move
Our joints, muscles and connective tissues are built for movement. Throughout history, everyday life involved walking, squatting, reaching, lifting, climbing and carrying. These weren’t exercises – they were simply part of daily living.
Today, so many of us spend much of our day sitting. We drive to work, sit at a desk or in a vehicle, come home, and relax on the couch. It’s no surprise that movements which once felt effortless can gradually become more challenging.
The Good News? We Can Rebuild Movement
Movement is something we can rebuild.
Small amounts of regular, varied movement will help maintain strength, flexibility, balance and confidence. Gardening, walking, getting up from the floor, playing with the children or grandchildren, carrying the groceries or taking the stairs all contribute to keeping our bodies capable. You don’t need an intense fitness programme. Regular movement throughout the day is often where the biggest gains begin.
Growing older will naturally bring changes to our bodies, but losing the ability to move isn’t always an inevitable part of ageing. By continuing to move well – and move often – we can help maintain the mobility, confidence and independence that support our wellbeing for years to come.
When our muscles and joints become stiff, we’re more likely to move awkwardly or compensate in ways that increase the risk of injury.
Learning How to Move Well is Worth Knowing
At AIM, we teach First Move’s Manual Handling training because it focuses on helping people –
- learn how to move safely
- rediscover the way they used to move
- restore instinctive balance
- develop practical movement habits to use every day – at work and at home.
Keep Moving for Life
Whether you’re in your 20s, 40s or 70s, it’s never too late to rediscover the movements your body was designed to do. Every step, squat, stretch and reach is an investment in your future mobility, confidence and wellbeing.
Our bodies don’t stop moving because we get older.
We stop moving because we simply don’t ask our bodies to do as much.
The more we ask of our bodies, the more capable we are.
