You don’t have to venture into the gym feeling intimidated by all the younger attendees in their swanky new gym gear building big strong bodies because now it’s your turn!
Put on your best workout clothes, dust off your trainers and walk into the gym with your head held high because this is why strength training can benefit us over 40’s or over 50’s or 60’s.
Alternatively, get yourself an area in your home set aside for a transformation of the body and mind.
Equipment is not necessary as we’ll find out later although investing in some weights, a mat, maybe some resistance bands, etc. may be a good idea.
Strength training is all a part of getting fit in midlife.
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What exactly is strength training?
Ok, so you might not have even heard of strength training but don’t worry. Let’s break it down and discuss what it actually is. Strength training isn’t going to the gym every day and spending 30 minutes on a treadmill.
Benefits of Strength Training
1. Protects bone health and muscle mass
You might not have realized, that after puberty (which is obviously a distant memory now) we lose about 1% of our bone and muscle mass every year unless we do something about it. One of the best ways to prevent this and actually reverse it is to strength train regularly.
Strength training will enable you to achieve stronger bones and better muscle mass. In order to do this effectively, you will need to feed your body with the correct nutrition. This means consuming a lean protein source after every training session. That’s not all there is to it though as we’ll now discuss.
One of the most effective ways to guarantee that your hard work pays off in an optimal way is to consume a fast-acting natural carb. Sources like pineapple or banana in conjunction with lean protein (ideally a serving of whey protein) to create what’s known as an “insulin spike”.
This spike will actually serve to rapidly deliver the protein to the muscles and kick-start the recovery process. This spike would be incredibly difficult to achieve (if not impossible) without the use of a fast-acting carbohydrate source.
It should be noted at this point that this consumption of rapid-acting carbohydrates only applies in the half an hour window after a workout. The rest of your carbohydrate sources throughout the day should be of a slow digesting nature as per complex carb options as they do not release surplus energy to get stored as fat.
2. Holds back the stubborn waistline
Strength training helps you to develop your bone density and muscle mass. It also helps to burn that stubborn body fat! If you have been struggling to get into that new outfit or put your old pair of 80s jeans on, strength training is the way forward.
3. Enjoy a stronger and fitter you!
Strength training is more commonly referred to as resistance training because you are using your muscles to ‘resist’ an opposing force. There are two types of resistance; isometric and isotonic.
Isometric resistance means you are contracting your muscles against a stationary object, such as against the floor in a press-up.
Isotonic strength training means you will be contracting your muscles through a whole range of motion as in weight lifting, for example, curling up a dumbbell or using the leg press.
4. Better balance and coordination
As we all know, getting a little older can sometimes diminish our coordination skills. Strength training will give you benefits that reach far beyond those of a flat stomach and nicely toned muscles. You can enjoy better balance and coordination, as these two skills will improve, as will your posture. It’s a good point to mention here if you have spent many years sat in an office chair and ruined your posture strength training is excellent for straightening you up.
What’s more, if you already feel as though you have poor flexibility and balance, strength training can reduce your risk of falling by an astonishing 40%! A crucial benefit, especially as you get older.
5. Better mood
It’s true if you strength train you simply can’t be grumpy. This is a scientific fact because regular strength training will elevate your natural levels of endorphins, which are responsible for making you feel happy, and provide you with that “on top of the world” feeling we all know and love.
As if that isn’t enough to convince you, strength training is a great, natural anti-depressant. You can also enjoy better sleep and better concentration at work.
Added up, it all means you get more out of life after 50.
Take those steps towards a better, longer and more fulfilling life
If you have any known health issues, or any worries at all ask your doctor what type of strength training you can safely partake in to meet your physical and psychological needs.
You can also work with a coach or personal trainer to design a bespoke strength-training program tailored to your needs and schedule that will be safe and effective for you. Want to live a longer, healthier life? Take those first steps to a stronger you today!
