Many of us, when asked about “Weight Training” or “Strength Training” immediately put up the “woah -not for me” signal. I wonder why? My guess is that we have these preconceived images of  body builders and (if you are female) ugly muscles that seem to bulge out in all the ‘unfemine’ places.

Good News

Well, here is some good news! If you start strength training you won’t end up with all those bulging muscles that ( to me anyway) look so ugly. To start with, if you are a woman, you just don’t have the hormones (testosterone) in your body to make you ‘bulk up’ like that – unless you go down the forbidden road of steroids etc! It is true that you will ‘tone’ up, but no-one is going to mind nice firm small feminine muscles! Much better that than squishy wobbly fat deposits.

And- for all the blokes out there- well, who wouldn’t some some great manly muscles! Again, you will develop muscles, but unless you also do the “supplement” stuff you aren’t going to get excessively huge!

Now that I have put some fears aside, let’s take a look at why it is important for over 50s to do some strength training.

What do I mean by “Strength Training”

By strength training, I mean the big compound exercises, like squats and lunges, deadlifts,  push ups, chin ups,- these are FULL body workout exercises, unlike ‘isolated’ exercises like biceps curls.

1. Strength training will help you to add and maintain lean muscle mass. That’s good because lean muscle is active – so you are going to make your body metabolism faster – that means burn more calories 24/7. Good idea eh!
2. Strength training will help you to improve your flexibility.
3. Strength training will help you to be more stable on your feet. My clients all tell me how much stronger and stable they feel in their day-to-day living!
4. Strength training, along with good nutrition can help you to avoid  ‘mature-onset’  health problems like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease etc.
5. Strength training will help to strengthen your BONES – and delay or even avoid osteoporosis.

So -why not give it a try?

BIG NOTE:

Before embarking on ANY fitness training, it is essential that you consult your medical practitioner for a full check up and clearance.

It is also important that you find a certified registered trainer who can take you through the weight training exercises safely.