3 Ways to Improve Balance (for Seniors 60+)

To subscribe to 3-Tip Friday, Will's free weekly email where he shares health tips, new videos and fascinating research, go here: ht-physio.co.uk/3-tip-friday/
To get a copy of Will's new book, Thriving Beyond Fifty, you can find it on Amazon below:
UK link: amzn.to/3mAISFv
US link: amzn.to/3J1ACGi
(Amazon Affiliate links)
Follow us on Instagram for more content: / htphysioofficial
In this episode, Farnham's leading over-50's physiotherapist, Will Harlow, reveals a set of simple daily exercises that can be used to improve your balance! This episode is perfect for people over 50 who want to improve their balance without spending hours at the gym or at balance classes.
If you're suffering from nagging knee pain that hurts in the morning and stops you from walking as far as you'd like, you can take our free knee pain guide - which will give you 5 expert tips to put a stop to knee pain at home - by visiting here: ht-physio.co.uk/knee-pain-gui...
To get in touch about sponsorships or promos, send a message to: [e-mail]
If you're over-50 with a painful problem in the Farnham, Surrey area, you can learn more about how Will Harlow and HT Physio can help you overcome a painful problem here: ht-physio.co.uk/
*Any information in this video should not be used as a substitute for individual medical advice. Please seek advice from your local healthcare professional before taking action on the information in this video.* Full policy here: ht-physio.co.uk/injury-discla...

[@philshallat9043]

I just turned 80 and am in excellent health with good mobility. Nevertheless, for the first time in my life I have begun (in earnest) to pay attention to my balance and stability and to the health of my feet, all aspects of my health that I have more or less taken for granted previously, all of which have diminished perceptibly over the past 5 years as well. And just as I am getting stoked to act on this new health awareness I accidentally bumble into your excellent videos, which I have been gobbling up. I leave in September for an ambitious trip to Europe that will involve, as always, much walking. My goal is to integrate these balance exercises into my daily routine so that when September rolls around I am at a much improved level of balance and stability, not to mention safety. Thank you for these exercises, Will.

[@noelajones619]

Thanks for your videos. I’m. 88 yrs and they are so helpful. Much appreciated.

[@kensalamba324]

Fantastic, as a stroke survivor this is the best exercise instruction on balance, that I’ve come across. Thank you. Bless

[@pregapillay5326]

Keep up the good work, it is far more valuable to older people than you can possibly realise.

[@marybodonovan]

What I really love about all your videos is the explanation of the reason behind the exercise.

[@vishnupriyarautela6283]

Am 81 yes old and have recently started watching your videos. 😢you are fantasticand explain everything so clearly. Am following your suggested exercises and hope I will improve my walking and balance.

[@manuelahrasky8472]

I have just discovered your videos. What a fantastic resource! Thank you so much! I love the clarity of your verbal explanations and your physical demonstrations.

[@robyncurtis8542]

Watching from Australia. Absoluely brilliant, commonsense exercises. Thank you👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@colleenrichards5662]

Hello from NSW…👍

[@junemartin609]

Hello from Melbourne great video to watch.

[@lindaj5492]

Your advice to get yourself checked: This reminded me of a time when I began losing my balance frequently - to the point of feeling as though gravity was no longer ‘vertical’. Went to GP after tipping over onto a wall heater; was thoroughly checked out for inner-ear problems, and GP recognised that a blood pressure pill I was taking had been leaching potassium from my system. Changed the meds, and gravity was soon back to vertical!

[@googoo554]

Thanks for sharing this info. Your GP sounds great. Glad you are better now. Take care.

[@VasantiP]

Hi Linda, My husband has a similar problem of losing his balance. He takes Telmisartan for his blood pressure. Could you please tell me which medication you take for blood pressure. Thank you.

[@lindaj5492]

@@VasantiP Sorry Vasanti, I’m not medically qualified to give you any advice. There could be many reasons for your husband’s loss of balance: best thing would be for him to consult his own doctor.

[@VasantiP]

@@lindaj5492 Thank you

[@christinewalsh7262]

Excellent

[@moyrahammond9867]

It is so good to have a very caring, young professional guiding us through great exercises that are so important dealing with our age related problems. . The first exercise I thought easy, second exercise, well OK , by the third I had changed into a the original wobbling jelly & laughed & wobbled all over the place! More practise with that one. Thank you 😂

[@moyrahammond9867]

Any way of buying a hardback of the book?

[@nuthinbutlove]

I went through the same. Stick with it and you'll have them all. ☺️💪

[@user-vj6fc5cj6s]

100% Excellent. All videos very well structured and progressive so it is easy to move to the next stage 🙂 Of course, doctors have said "You're just getting old" and "Learn to live with it". Then the prescription pad comes out! I really don't want any of that and am so pleased to have found your site. Thank you; thank you! 🙂

[@francesgrumblatt3420]

Fantastic! I am following you and doing the balance, been doing the walk for sometime, I am 99, and geriatrics “ wonder child” thank you for these videos,

[@jamesl.o.h.6000]

Wow 99! And still fit & positive, your presence here is inspiring sir! 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@nickb654]

Skip to exercises that start at minutes 5, 7 and 9.

[@donnafreehauf6583]

I’m 74 with double knee replacements since 2007. I don’t get on my knees, always uncomfortable even on mattresses. Last couple of years been falling. These exercises I will try. I walk around telling myself to pick up my feet. Last fall in November scared me pretty bad. Blowing leaves, stepped off a patio,, not deep and cleared, but somehow went down and hit a low stone bench. Little sratched beside eye and on top of ear. Bleeds some and black eye. Didn’t black out, no dizziness, didn’t hurt much either. I was lucky, could have been much worse. Really need to watch myself. Happy New Year!

[@lesleypickering9387]

This is a brilliant channel. All of the exercises that you demonstrate were recommended to me by my NHS physio but I love having a visual demo, it reminds me to di it properly and I also don't feel as if I'm doing it on my own. Thank you so very much Will. P.S. I've bought the book. Excellent.

[@julierobertson148]

I'm 76 and this is the most valuable balance advice I've so far received. My problem started becoming apparent 20 years ago and has progressively worsened. If I'd known then to do what this video taught me, I'd be much more stable today. Heartfelt thanks.

[@sheilahenderson5973]

Thank you so much for this. I've been doing the balancing on one leg for about three months now and was getting a bit smug, to find a video with the next step is amazing 🤩 I've got better balance now, at sixty, than in my twenties; just want to keep working on it so it stays 😅

[@XRP747E]

I'm 76. My balance is pretty good, but I've noticed a slight deterioration over recent months. I have had a history of stumbling for many years of fast walking exercise. This has concerned me and resulted in diminished confidence. I see the benefits of your suggested exercises and will make them part of my daily routine. Thank you so much for your excellent videos.

[@bettiesnyder8393]

Thank you so much for this. I’ve noticed lately that my balance is getting worse and - it’s never been that great in the first place. I’m going to try these exercises!

[@dikilin]

Love your videos lately been following closely ...had brought tremendous improvements in my walking and balancings of my 65 years old legs...please do more helpful videos for seniors Dr...God bless you and millions thanks

[@angelawhitehouse1840]

Thanks, I'm healthy, 71 years old and I found these exercises really useful.

[@emmkaa2099]

This is terrific, thank you! I had both hips revised last summer and now I'm one month post-op a TKR - REALLY need to regain balance. Greetings from the southern California desert, US

[@edwardlarkin4279]

Thank you again. I'm 84, and can dance better than I can walk. Just went to Jerry Garcia cover band and danced for three hours, but I appreciate all your suggestions and knowledge.

[@stephanygates6491]

Wow! The additional challenge of the second exercise blew me away (with eyes closed, because that’s how feet together was easy). I obviously will benefit from practice.

[@estelleroxanakho3039]

I appreciate you helping us seniors. So great to see a young man so passionate to help his elders. God bless you son❤ 😢

[@margaretlatona5702]

After a serious fall and 10 weeks in hospital I'm working hard on my physio exercises....the balance exercises you have shown are an excellent guide ....thank you

[@keithbutcher5386]

Well done. Keep going.

[@rosalindchu7588]

Love yr video. This is the third one I have watched. Am way passed 50 yet I still find yr exercises useful. Thank you.

[@lijinzhou9902]

These are simple exercises which we take for granted during our younger days. Thank you do much❤

[@ladyalaina42]

Oh my! Needed this so much. At 81 everything is going to pieces especially after open heart bypass surgery. Balance was never a problem until then. Now the second exercise shows me how bad my balance is! Yikes. Will be working on this daily!!@ thank you dear boy, you are a God send!

[@rabeyaahmed7235]

Watching from Assam,India 😊

[@MsWildwood72]

This has been amazing, I’m 51 and have had problems with falling a bit inside and out side Fantastic !

[@beritgyllenebern4250]

Thank You! Your demonstrations are perfect. So useful. The best I have seen. Have started to follow them and already noticed result.

[@thomasbrady63]

Very great exercises . I’ve had two serious foot operations since 2018 and a total knee replacement last year. One of those exercises, the second one my PT had me doing on balance pads . I bought a couple balance pads off Amazon to do them at home . The third exercise is a another great exercise, similar to one’s done on a step to gain your quad and glut strength. Thanks for caring about us as we get older . Never thought about this when I was younger and playing sports . God bless you .

[@haroldfloyd5518]

He’s a young dude but clearly has worked with lots of us older folks. Useful stuff, as I find my balance getting iffy at 66.

[@inezzbeadz]

I 65 same, sciatica pain

[@user-gx1zt6qm1w]

Thank you very much. I am from South Africa. I have a problem with vertigo and this is helping me a lot.

[@alokamukherjee6347]

Thank you so much for this video, excellent 👌

[@jackwilliams9114]

Thanks for all of your videos. I am 73 and the caregiver of my 92-year-old mum. I have myself doing a lot of your exercises and her doing some also. This group will be added to hers. I am fortunate that presently my balance is excellent. Thanks again

[@ritamarshall2644]

I’ve just restarted yoga after a five year gap, and I’m shocked to discover how much balance and movement I’ve lost on that time. These will help. I’m also aware that bunions have worsened and this is making it harder to balance.

[@gregoriybelskiy1]

Thanks for your video. I think that could be very useful exercises for seniors.

[@lesleystewart8285]

Enjoyed your manner of teaching so easy, i am 76 soon and i have had a few falls ..my problem being I don't lt my foot high enough and I have trouble with my balance mind you I've had a knee replacement some 10 or eleven years ago

[@carolscott2076]

Thank you so much for your clear presentation of the exercises. I've been teaching exercise to seniors at a local gym for the past 10 yrs. When teaching balance I also cue "through the eyelash look" if they find closing the eyes is a bit too challenging. They love it when I give them balance homework 😊

[@patriciaegan7244]

I’m pretty sure that people will begin to see the urgency to improving balance will happen after falling down a few times, and then find themselves afraid of showering due to imbalance. Thanks for bringing this up and posting this video.

[@shirleyandrews1152]

These look really do-able. I’m 82, have a poorly done hip replacement & peripheral neuropathy. THANK YOU😻

[@susanann8741]

Many thanks for these exercises. So helpful. ❤️

[@PaulineMcsweeney-fk4tw]

Excellent exercises. Delivered clearly. Thank you.

[@anthonybutt2453]

Excellent info & demo. You're doing God's work my friend. 👍

[@tinafry1740]

It's excellent that you give a time frame for us to expect to see an improvement. Very motivating!

[@HT-Physio]

So pleased it was motivating, that's the most important thing!

[@annesanderson2289]

These balance exercises are so helpful - I had 3 falls over last 6 months and doc suggested Brandt-Daroff but these are more suitable for me. Will practice and many thanks indeed.

[@tselisoncholu7914]

Should greatly assist my balance trials.Had no idea how to start getting rid of my wobbly ones for my prosthesis fit in the very near future.Thanks for the tip.Receive my subscription from my heart!!!

[@irenemckenna3336]

Great exercises for us seniors, Will. I will buy your book as a monetary contribution and as gifts for my other senior friends.

[@HT-Physio]

I hope you find the exercises beneficial! Thank you for purchasing my book, I truly appreciate it and I hope you find it full of interesting information!

[@doreendsouza8862]

Your videos have helped me a lot ...I noticed there s a lot of difference in my balance since I ve been doing your exercises ..thankyou so much ..

[@GraphicsGuru37]

Great exercise. Starting tomorrow. Thank you.

[@sarlakapadia9251]

Thank you so much for the exercises you show..very helpful...many Blessings😊

[@albertotoddie]

So appreciate these demonstrations accompanied be clear concise instruction. Also enjoy the “putting the kettle on”….😊

[@paulinecornes6913]

THANK YOU FROM THIS 75YR OLD..

[@kumarsabaratnam4787]

Thanks for the useful tips.

[@rakshakumar5522]

Thanks . Watching from India.

[@fazalrahman4378]

Many thanks for this very beneficial video for seniors may god bless you for all this hard and helpful work

[@HT-Physio]

Very pleased to be of help!

[@evecampbell7744]

Your videos are so helpful. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@maryarmstrong3518]

Thank you thank you thank you. You’re wonderful!!

[@user-xp5qx8wg9x]

Such good, safety-oriented instruction. You probably saved at least one person from having a life altering fall. All your videos are excellent, thank you.

[@MultiHairypotter]

Thank you so much sir. I was doing these for a good year and then an accident however small so I’m going back to these exercises again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Very helpful .

[@ReallyJillRogoff]

Thank-you, Will. Just what I was looking for.

[@mariaavery1212]

Thank you so much for sharing numerous solutions for balance issues that many people deal with especially those retired.

[@rosaleenmitchell3786]

Thank you for all your great exercises. I have included many of them in my regime. I am 76 and have had bilateral hip replacements during the Covid years. I like how you explain and demonstrate each exercise in an easy to relate manner. Surprised that there are some very rude comments on here. Keep up your great outreach and I’ll keep watching. Thank you

[@HT-Physio]

That is fantastic to hear I'm so pleased my guidance has been helpful - there's always people that like to be rude, but that won't stop me from reaching the people that benefit from my work!

[@TheMoby16]

Your sites are so helpful. Your explanations and thoroughness make these exercises so easy to understand and practice. I have learned so much!

[@LloydRMaes]

I have polyneuropathy I don't know if I should be doing these exercises for balance. I fell last week when my legs wouldn't keep me from falling . I enjoy your videos very much Will!

[@FrancesFraser-wl1je]

Also watching from Australia, thanks again for such simple exercises to help us oldies improve our quality of life.

[@elleng7658]

Thank you, I need to think if getting knee replaced so I can get back to my active life style. It's hard to think about.....good point get it fixed!

[@tonyquek6157]

Thank you Will, appreciate it very much. God bless.

[@bridgett.graygray.bridgett2510]

Thank you so much.

[@donnafrandsen8069]

Thank you so much! These exercises are very helpful for me!

[@alananderson5929]

Great stuff. We put an 8 foot 2 x 4 on the deck next to the railing and we walk at 10 times every day. 🍀

[@franhar8292]

Many thanks!! Great exercises!

[@user-ic8lo4wu1g]

Thank you for another excellent and concise video. I'm 63 and really need to be mindful of balance problems, especially on days like today, when I felt like clearing out some high cupboards by stepping on a stool. I was incredibly careful and these exercises will help me continue to do essential daily activities safely. Thanks again from Sydney, Australia

[@nuthinbutlove]

Great exercises! Thank you!

[@clivebasson7831]

Thank you for these exercises.

[@martagomes567]

Hi. I just started following you and I think your videos are very helpful! I am 61 and trying to exercise as much as I can.

[@barbarabarry4378]

Fabulous info and will add this to my routine. Thank you !

[@hazydreamer7965]

Excellent advice. Thank you.

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. I need these exercises.

[@butterflycreation2468]

I wish you had a pdf of some of these exercises so I can put them in my binder. It helps me to see the exercise on paper in either written form or in picture form. I like how these exercises do not require buying equipment. Because I had a small fracture in my knee I had to do exercises. Now I’m adding more to the already list the PT lady gave me. Thank you for going slow enough so I can understand how to do each exercise.

[@janechambers9980]

I find the star exercise easier than the 2nd exercise; I think it is because we do this every day in gym class. Frequency equals ease!

[@ronvanderwolf1700]

Again watching Wills advice is just so practical and the reasons for doing the exercises are also explained. Keep up the good work, you are helping so many ppl with these videos, For me , I am extremely gratefull. You are a good man Will and I hope that you get the credit you deserve. Keep it up as you have ppl that appreciate and totally respect you.

[@lucypang9206]

thanks for your help

[@maryloudelossantos1624]

Much thanks!

[@johngeverett]

I keep my balance trained by standing on one foot while pulling my shoe on to the other foot, with no touch or support. Keeping my balance while doing that activity is just enough challenge to keep me tuned up. (I'm 71)

[@trmangena2463]

Thank you

[@AM-ek5rm]

Just came across your videos and like them very much. I had major ear surgery at 40 years old and ever since I have had balance problems. I am going to give these a try😀. I am in my early 60’s

[@trees5338]

Love the last one, thanks

[@junechristie2497]

Brilliant, hoping to get the book. Keep up the good work

[@maretabester9784]

Excellent exercises! 🙏

[@johnspark8095]

Brilliant video, thank you.

[@deborahwallace3953]

Thank you for your videos. The exercises are working.

[@margaretlouis5172]

Very helpful to learn in this simple way to improve balance, Mr Harlow. I am truly indebted to you.

[@carolineraj6053]

Thanks for your videos, it's really help me lots ❤

[@shrirakshart673]

Thank you very much ☺

[@trinidadnabor3323]

Thank you sir for this video esp. for us seniors👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 12-29-2023 Happy New Year👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@musicandmemory2]

Excellent. I’m 76 and just tripped on the sidewalk and broke my wrist and knee. I’m eager to improve my balance.

[@chuckliebenauer3656]

I just had spine surgery had have to rebuild my walking and balance skills. This should help me a lot. Thku

[@camiperez3081]

Thank you very much. Very useful 🥰

[@Violet3017]

Just found your videos and really find them helpful. Your explain why everything do clearly. My balance has been terrible, and I also recently had hip replacement surgery so that didn’t help my balance. I need to use a cane because I am really afraid of falling, but I have found a number of good instructors online that give excellent advice, and you are one of the best!! I’m 80 years old but know I absolutely need to keep moving and improve my balance. I do NOT WANT TO FALL!!

[@chriscolliermahfouz9056]

I’m 63 and in pretty good shape-long time exercise person - I want to maintain balance and mobility so my focus is prevention. Thank you!