Seniors and Strength Training

As a massage therapist for 25 years I worked hard using my upper body and legs while giving a massage. I also had a large yard in Hawaii filled with all sorts of tropical plants which also required using my body in gardening and harvesting.

I retired from massage and sold my place in Hawaii 4 years ago. I didn't realize it immediately but I needed something to replace the strength training I got naturally through work and gardening.

When we moved to Sequim I acquired a position at our Sequim Aquatic Center, teaching stretching, I was also given a membership. They have a complete work out room with free weights and machines. In the past two years I've taken advantage of the weight training to increase my muscle mass and reduce my body fat.

In the same way that taking a once-a-day vitamin is beneficial, lifting weights and other kinds of strength training provide multiple benefits, according to the findings of many studies over the past several years. Here are the 3 reasons to get started on a resistance strength-training program of 3 times a week:

To build muscle strength. Adults lose between five and seven pounds of muscle every decade after age 20. Only strength training prevents muscle loss.

To improve functional strength and flexibility. This is important because it can help keep you safe in your daily activities and make you less vulnerable to falls or other injuries.

To increase bone mass and density. Weight-bearing and resistance exercises can help protect against osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break.

You are never to old to begin a program of weight training and you will be amazed at the results.
Check out my other post on exercise and anti-aging

Yours in health....stretchguy

Tags: seniors, seniors and strength training