Simple balance exercises can make a huge difference in preventing older gym members from having slip and fall accidents.

Instability and loss of balance is a common ailment among older adults. According to a report by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, falls in the senior population cost the US government alone more than US$20bn per year.

Writing on the subject in the October issue of the IDEA Fitness Journal, Dr. Evan Osar claims that while low-impact exercises such as yoga, swimming and biking can benefit many clients, resistance and body weight training should also be included, as they increase muscle strength and bone mass, improve range of motion and help create a sense of well-being.

The foot and ankle are often susceptible for balance challenges. People with current or prior ankle injury and those with hypermobile ankle joints are especially prone to the disruptions in the central nervous system that cause balance-related accidents.

Single-leg rotation exercises and forward and sideways lunges with proper form are ways for balance-challenged older adults to progress from fundamental movement patterns to more complex.

Older adults can progress to using balance tools such as a thick foam pad or a core board once they have demonstrated good form and confidence on solid ground.

Founded in 1982, IDEA Health & Fitness Association is one of the world's leading membership organization of exercise professionals and fitness trainers with more than 23,000 members in over 80 countries.