Counting down David Letterman style I shared 10 of the (just a start on the life-changing benefits of strength training) reasons to strength train after 50 recently on a Facebook live and IGTV. It’s been so popular there I pulled it up for this quick post at the start of the New Year. Any time of year is a good time to recommit to strength training though.
There are so many more reasons I love it both for me and my clients, including:
- if you dislike exercise, strength training is often a much easier way to start
- if you hate to sweat, strength training usually has a reduced sweat rate
- if you feel awkward or heavy right now, strength training allows you to feel more in control
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If you really want to change your body, strength training is the way to do it. Cardio is necessary, too. Don’t misinterpret. But we don’t get to choose to only do cardio, or yoga, or strength. (and no, yoga doesn’t quality as life-changing enough to meet the strength training requirement – better than nothing? yes. But, is that enough for you?) We’ve all got to take care of bones, muscle, and mobility.
We do have genetics that will predispose us to increasing our fitness level easier based on DNA. I am an endurance athlete by choice and no surprise, by DNA. I spend a small but regular amount of time doing higher intensity and anaerobic (weight training), however to:
- balance hormones
- reduce body fat
- increase lean muscle
- reduce risk of injury
Some of the lesser known (or at least talked about) reasons to strength train after 50:
- better sex with a boosted libido
- reduced Alzheimers and dementia
- slowed progression of Parkinson’s
- improved blood sugar
- decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety
I have to balance my love for “more” exercise with hormone-balancing bite-sized workouts sometimes. Fortunately, work usually takes care of that!
I’d love to hear your top reasons for strength training after 50! If you’re already doing it, you’ll potentially motivate someone else to start!
Share a comment (and don’t forget your age and when you started strength training)!
