Little is known about King Charles' daily fitness regimen behind palace doors, aside from his reported love of an 11-minute Royal Canadian Air Force exercise plan known as the 5BX. However, he has hinted that he hasn't ruled out dance as a way to keep fit.
During celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust in Belfast, the monarch watched an impressive hip hop performance from students at Urban Motion, which Jamie Fagan founded through the enterprise programme six years ago.
Inspired by the dance, Charles told Jamie he'd love "a royal hip-hop lesson." The King’s Trust ambassador added: "He wants us to teach him how to do hip-hop."
At the age of 77, Charles might be wrongfully assumed to be aged out of trying the notoriously youthful dance style, but qualified personal trainer Nicole Chapman explained to Best Quality Designer Handbag why it is actually a powerhouse for promoting "healthy ageing."
When asked if you are ever "too old" to start trying hip hop, she exclusively told us: "Absolutely not. One of the most powerful things we have learned about ageing is that the body continues to adapt remarkably well when challenged.
"Whether you are 30, 60 or 80, learning a new movement pattern stimulates the muscles, brain and nervous system. In fact, starting something like hip hop later in life may be especially beneficial because it combines physical activity, cognitive challenge and enjoyment. That combination is incredibly valuable for healthy ageing."
© Getty ImagesWhile gentler exercises such as walking, yoga and Pilates are popular, low-impact exercises for maintaining strength as you age, hip hop relies on moving the body "in multiple directions, shifting weight, rotating through the spine and hips and reacting quickly to changes in rhythm." Speaking of these specific benefits, Nicole explained: "This can be excellent for joint mobility, coordination and core stability which is needed for balance."
As a beginner, Charles wouldn't be launching straight into complex choreography, of course, but the fast, unpredictable changes in direction have a positive impact on longevity. "These short bursts of impact place healthy stress through the skeleton, which helps stimulate bone and maintain bone density over time," said the Power of Mum founder, who includes muscle-strengthening exercises in her workouts to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
© Getty ImagesCognitive benefits
Aside from physical benefits, hip hop is also beneficial for preventing cognitive decline, thanks to the need to learn choreography and react to the rhythm of the music.
"Learning hip-hop choreography challenges the brain and body in a way that few other forms of exercise do. You are processing rhythm, remembering sequences, coordinating different limbs and adjusting your movements in real time.
"This strengthens neuromuscular coordination, the communication between the brain and muscles that allows us to move efficiently and react quickly. These are the same skills we rely on to maintain confidence in our movements as we age," Nicole said, before pointing out that the journal Age and Ageing showed supporting evidence of improved cognitive function, balance and mobility following dance interventions in adults aged 55 and over.
Overall, she said that if King Charles' cheeky offhand comment about hip hop lessons comes to fruition, it would be overwhelmingly beneficial for his mental and physical health, describing it as "a highly effective tool" for healthy ageing.
