What got you started exercising again? Let’s say that you are an older adult and you decided that you have to make some changes in your life. Eating the right foods in the right amounts is a great way to start and having regular checkups are also vital to a healthy lifestyle. But you needed more; you also wanted to strengthen your heart and your muscles. Walking is a great exercise that builds up the heart and makes you feel pretty good but it doesn’t work the muscles. So strength training or resistance training was also added because it helps you with the functionality of life.

When older people start to lift weights they usually don’t have any expectations about giant muscles and six pack abs they seem to be more interested in gaining strength and becoming leaner. (But that isn’t to say that you can’t build large muscles at an older age, there are body building competitions for older folks as well).
However one of the best reasons to make your muscles stronger is how much easier life can be. Small chores at older ages sometimes take a little more strength or grip than you might have. Strength training takes care of that. Whether it is lifting things off the ground or a shelf it is so nice to know that you can do things without asking for help.

Maintaining your balance is greatly improved with strength training. Stronger leg muscles, along with stronger core muscles, lessen your chances of a fall, which can be devastating at an older age.

Little activities or functions of life can be easily accomplished when your body is stronger and healthier.

Related posts:

1. Healthy aging and strength training
2. Core strength training for older people