The Power of Strength Training: Why Older Adults Should Make It a Priority
As we age, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize our health and well-being. While activities like walking, chair yoga, and cardio exercises are commonly associated with maintaining fitness, one crucial element often overlooked by older adults is strength training. Here are 5 reasons why adding strength training is essential to healthy aging:
Improving Balance: Resistance exercises strengthen the muscles in the legs, core, and upper body, which are vital for maintaining balance. When encountering unexpected challenges or unstable surfaces, strong muscles enable quicker responses, allowing older adults to maintain stability and prevent falls.
Improving Bone Density: Strength training improves bone strength and reduces the risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia. When you improve your bone strength you are less likely to experience fractures of your hip, arms or spine even if you have a fall. Weight-bearing exercises, such as lifting weights or using resistance bands, stimulates bone growth and helps maintain their strength.
Boosting Muscle Mass: As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass which can lead to decreased strength, increased joint pain and difficulty with your mobility. Adding 2-3 days of resistance exercises helps build and maintain muscle mass to support daily activities and contribute to an independent and active lifestyle.
Decreased Pain: Contrary to common misconceptions, strength training can actually improve joint health when performed with proper form and technique. By strengthening the muscles surrounding the joints, such as knees and hips, the load and stress on the joints themselves are reduced. This can alleviate discomfort caused by conditions like arthritis and promote greater joint stability, flexibility, and range of motion.
Enhancing Mental Well-being: Physical exercise, including strength training, has been linked to improved mental health and cognitive function. Additionally attending group strength training classes helps create community connection and decreases social isolation.