Aiming to get more physically active during your retirement might sound strange — after all, most people focus on the relaxing aspects of retirement — but it’s an important thing to prioritize. Getting into a fitness routine is a good start, but proper exercise is also essential to your health. Learn why the experts recommend strength training for seniors.
The Importance of Strength Training for Seniors
Did you know that the US Department of Health and Human Services recommends that seniors engage in weekly strength training? You might be surprised that people are encouraging folks in their golden years to start pumping iron, but there are all kinds of benefits to strength training for seniors that you may not be aware of.
Strength Training Can Help You Avoid Serious Health Issues
Every senior knows that bone fractures can lead to significant health problems that are difficult to address. While health issues like osteoporosis need to be managed by a health care professional, strength training is an easy way for seniors to improve their bone health. Strength training will improve your bone density and also help you develop and improve your overall mobility. This means less fall risk and a higher chance that if a fall does happen, you’ll be able to recover with ease.
Strength Training Will Help You Restore Muscle Mass
The loss of overall muscle mass is a part of the aging process. As a result, some seniors feel less physically able to do things than they used to. The good news for seniors is that strength training can effectively address and even reverse muscle loss. Strength training can help you regain your strength and physical confidence and give you the endurance you need to keep up with your daily life.
Strength Training Is Good for Your Mental Health
The physical benefits of strength training are enough to recommend it to any senior. However, you might be excited to learn that there are other benefits too, such as how regular strength training can positively affect your mental health. Strength training can help you avoid the depression caused by social isolation and inactivity, and exercise is a proven mood booster. You might even feel a little more confident when you look in the mirror and see how regular exercise can improve your physique. Who doesn’t need a self-esteem boost now and then?
How Can I Get Started with Strength Training?
Knowing the benefits of strength training for seniors, you might be ready to head to the gym. However, there are a few things you’ll want to do before you start your new routine:
- Before starting a new fitness routine, you should talk to your doctor about your current fitness level and any exercises you may want to avoid due to pre-existing conditions.
- When you’re starting strength training, slow and steady progress is the key. Choose a few exercises to master, or work with a trainer to develop a beginner’s program that works for you. Focus on form to start with, then add weight to your movements as you get more confident.
- If traditional strength training feels out of reach, keep in mind there are plenty of ways to modify an exercise to get the desired results without excessively straining your body. For example, many seniors do their strength training in the gym pool instead of the weight room.
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Now that you know the importance of strength training for seniors, are you ready to hit the gym? Pull on your sneakers and give it a shot!
Are you looking for an assisted living community in Tennessee? Check out Hearthside Senior Living in Collierville and Bartlett. Our warm and inviting communities make it easy for seniors to embrace a healthy lifestyle, with home-cooked and restaurant-style meals, exercise classes, and a nurse devoted to residents’ health and wellness. We would be happy to schedule a tour for you so that you can explore the community, speak with the Community Director, meet some of the residents, and ask any questions you might have. To learn more about our amenities and services, please call 901-266-3329 (Bartlett) or 901-854-6590 (Collierville). We look forward to meeting you!