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Weightlifting for Adults
Erin Mellinger • February 10, 2023
The American College of Sports Medicine, and the CDC, recommend adults over 50 years old weight train regularly. Meaning, doing weightlifting, strength building exercises at least two days a week. Although all activity is great for all age levels, weight training can have some real benefits as we age.
Here is just a short but important list of the benefits of strength training over the age of 50:
- Helps develop stronger bones and joints.
- Helps slow or even reverse muscle loss due to aging.
- Improves balance and stability.
- Improves your range of motion in everyday activities.
- Allows you to better avoid injury or recover faster from injuries or surgeries.
- Improves your stamina and quality of life.
Any weightlifting program should include a balanced workout of lower-body, hinge movements, core, push and pull movements. It is important to train all movements and muscle groups in all planes. It is also important to push yourself when weight training. Choose a weight or resistance level that becomes difficult to do after 10-15 repetitions; and then push yourself to do as many reps as you can before sacrificing form.
If you need guidance or accountability to begin a regular weight training program, our trainers at Axio Fitness would love to help. Also, we recommend talking to your doctor before beginning any exercise program.
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