If asked, what my grandmother would say is: "If I can do it, anyone can do it," and she would be right. Obviously, if you have medical issues or conditions you would need to visit the doctor to get clearance but, beyond that, there's no age limit on beginning a strength program and, even better, the improvements you see will make your life better, including:
- Better functioning
- Improved balance and coordination
- Greater strength and flexibility
- Weight management
- More confidence
- Lower risk of falling down
In fact, the risks associated with not exercising and lifting weights are much greater than a safe, effective strength program. In fact, without exercise, we could lose 3-5% of our muscle mass per decade after age 40, what experts call sarcopenia. This loss of muscle doesn't just cause weight gain, but it also contributes to reduced functionality and strength.
You don't have to spend hours lifting heavy weights to get the benefits, either. These resources will help you learn more and give you some ideas for exercises you can do:
