Strength Training for Seniors
Good nutrition, proper rest and medical care are all recognized as important elements of
senior health. Social media and marketing professionals do an outstanding job of
targeting seniors with information (and misinformation) about food, drugs, Medicare
plans, and sleep aids. There is another essential element for maintaining good senior
health that is not heavily advertised. Regular physical exercise is a key to maintaining
seniors’ good health.
Participating in regular strengthening exercise promotes emotional and mental health as
well as physical wellbeing. It can be of benefit in managing medical conditions often
seen in seniors including arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and back pain.
Beyond all of that, strength training will make daily living a far more enjoyable
experience. Climbing stairs, carrying groceries, or simply rising from a chair unaided are
tasks that younger people do without a thought. As we age, these simple abilities can
become more and more of a challenge, but regular strength exercises can keep seniors
independent, mobile and healthy.
It is a common misconception that “bodybuilding” or muscle-building exercises are
exclusively...
