A majority of exercises featured are performed from a seated position, and Miller includes easy modifications that lower or increase the difficulty, like opting for fewer reps or incorporating hand weights. Starting with the feet and moving up the body to the head, Miller’s routines target all the major areas that require strength and flexibility to maintain balance, and though it may seem overwhelmingly comprehensive at first, the author outlines helpful, practical ways to fit healthy movement into any life, such as how to structure an exercise routine into increments of 30 minutes per day. Along with detailed instructions of individual exercises, Miller also includes helpful, clear illustrations that assist readers in perfecting their form.
Beyond its practical uses, Miller’s guide also serves to educate readers about “how the many parts of our bodies interweave with each other to play a combined and crucial role in helping us balance.” For example, in Chapter 10, Miller includes a brief but detailed explanation of how arm-swinging affects walking efficiency, while in Chapter 8, she discusses the role of core strength in preventing back pain. Senior readers seeking a true beginner’s guide to improve balance and maintain independence will find all they need and more in Miller’s inviting guide.
Takeaway: Inviting exercise guide for seniors or anyone facing balance issues.
Comparable Titles: Carol Clements’s Better Balance for Life, Cindy Brehse and Tami Brehse Dzenitis’s 5-Minute Core Exercises for Seniors.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
From the United States
Anna
5.0 out of 5 stars Beginner Friendly, Fun & Effective
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2023
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I'm really pleased with my recent purchase of Beginner Balance Workouts for Seniors, Volume 1. I have to say, this book has genuinely impressed me with its approach to improving balance and fitness for seniors.
At first, I was drawn in by the fun cover art but was equally as impressed by the workouts within. The exercise instructions are straightforward and easy to follow, which is a huge plus. Starting each exercise from an "original position" and making slight adjustments makes it accessible and easy to follow, especially for beginners like me. The colored illustrations do provide helpful visual cues to ensure I'm doing each move correctly.
The book's structure is something I find really practical. The chapters target different areas of the body from the feet and ankles to the head with the "Workouts" chapter being a standout. It's great to have the option to tailor my workouts based on how much time I have (5, 10 or 30 minutes) or my fitness level. The customization options, like adding weights or modifying moves, give me the flexibility I need.
After trying out the exercises, I'm very much looking forward to seeing improvements in my balance and overall fitness. This book is turning out to be a valuable guide on my journey. If any of my friends are working towards similar goals, I'd definitely recommend this book to them!
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Amelia Gonzalez
5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing and Enjoyable, A Great Basic Fitness Resource
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2023
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The exercises in this book encompass the essential building blocks of fitness- balance, flexibility and strength- for Seniors who may be starting a fitness routine or want to maintain or improve their fitness.
A chair is used for the exercises in sitting and also standing postures.
There are a lot of exercises in the book, which makes it a very good value! The exercises are organized by the area of the body that is being targeted. There are also warm up and cool down exercises.
The book has plentiful, colorful graphics of seniors demonstrating the exercises. The graphics make it easy to understand the proper (and safe) way to move through the exercises. The graphics have a playfulness about them that I found appealing.
The simple written instructions are as clear and concise as can be.
This book includes helpful tips for organizing workouts. One could customize workouts to suit individual goals and specific needs.
This book is an great basic fitness resource! It’s refreshing and enjoyable to read and, when put into action, rejuvenating!
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Jax Vulcan rider
5.0 out of 5 stars Does What It Says Well. Great Balance Workouts
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2023
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The illustrations and grouping of the exercises really help set "Beginner Balance Workouts for Seniors" apart.
It's super easy to pull up a page with a specific workout on a tablet or smartphone and then follow along while doing the exercise thanks to the concise directions and illustrations.
This way if you run into a question along the way the illustration and details are just a glance away.
The author also provides excellent explanations for the workouts and takes an "us" approach, helping lead the reader along the way.
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C Dawson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2023
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I am an older woman who is highly active. I was surprised and happy to find how well put together this book is and extremely helpful. Having already a workout in place I found tons of new material to add to my existing exercises. This book is good for both beginner and those seniors who are athletic. Tests, warmups, balance and exercises are covered. Well done!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great fitness help
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2023
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This book was easy to follow and had many helpful ideas for improving stability and balance.
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Livvy c
5.0 out of 5 stars Very thorough and really well written. Highly recommend.
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2023
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Loved the organization and illustrations. This book will be helpful for so many.
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VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars Can change your life
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2023
For the first decades of our lives, it seems like our bodies take care of themselves pretty well. We go along without difficulties, for the most part, and manage, even without much effort, to be strong enough and balanced enough to go through our daily routine without thinking much about it. But very gradually, as life goes on, things change. Some people call it "getting older" and accept it as inevitable and inescapable. In reality, it is just your body handing over more responsibility to you for its upkeep and maintenance. With even a little bit of regular exercise, you can keep up your end of the bargain and stave off this thing called "old age" for a very long time. Of course, if you've had a regular exercise routine you've followed since youth, you do have an advantage. I have been exercising, especially yoga, since the age of 14, and now, at nearly 70, I can honestly say I not only feel the same as I did in my 30s, but can do the same things I did at that age, too. But as they say, it's never too late to start exercising. Problems with balance can be one of the most insidious problems that come along because it starts gradually, and many people go into denial over it. My mother lost her balance several times out in public, and ended up in the emergency room more than once when she hit her head on the pavement. But there are ways to keep and maintain, or even regain, balance by simply adding a few exercises into your day that can keep you independent and might even save your life. This book is a fantastic way to start getting into a regular exercise routine for anybody of any age. It includes a lot of important information and advice, and is packed with very easy workouts that will improve your life in countless ways. The exercises are not difficult, and are not meant to build muscle or increase cardiovascular endurance. There is no heavy lifting or strain of any kind. They are simple, easy to do, and won't take up much of your time. But they will change your life, and your balance, for the better.
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William
5.0 out of 5 stars An object in motion tends to stay in motion.
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2023
When I first saw "Beginner Balance Workouts for Seniors" my first thought was, I don't have any trouble with my balance and I probably won't get much out of this. I was 100% wrong in that assumption.
I have been active my entire life and have never had need of an exercise program. Truthfully, I still don't think that I necessarily need one, just because I'm older now than ever before. The ways I earn my money nowadays almost all involve physical labor. It's great, I get to spend my days outside and no two days are the same.
I have found however that I am working harder and more hours a day than I ever did as a younger man. Except that I haven't felt like I used to. My muscles always seem sore and I have been more tired than I ever remember feeling. I made changes to my diet and that helped some, but I was still my feeling run-down all the time.
I asked my doctor and he told me it was just old age and I should get used to it. I told him that I was no longer his patient so he had better get used to it. That's when he told me about the importance of pre and post exercise routines and methods to minimize damage to muscles, joints, and tendons. I learned that I was essentially using my vocation as an exercise routine, except that I was not taking any steps to minimize injuries before or promote positive healing afterward. He suggested that I try to come up with a series of stretches to incorporate into my routine and at least one method of caring for myself afterward.
I found what I needed in this book. The way it is written enabled me to choose the different exercises I wanted to do. After reviewing them all I picked the ones I felt would help me the most, and made a list of exercises that allow my body to "warm up" before I jump into a job head first. The old guy friendly exercises I found in this book have been instrumental in enabling me to not only continue out working men half my age, but to do it consistently while virtually eliminating the soreness and aches that I used to live with on a daily basis.
I happily recommend this book to anyone who doesn't need it, like I didn't.
