The Benefits of Strength Training After 40

I get this question all the time:

Should I be strength training?

The short answer is yes.

With social media, we have access to more fitness and nutrition information than ever before. Unfortunately, that also means we’re constantly being told different things about what we “should” be doing.

Lift heavy.
Do more cardio.
Do Pilates.
Walk 10,000 steps.
Don’t lift too heavy.
Lift heavier.

No wonder people are confused.

If you came to me and asked whether strength training should be part of your routine, especially as you get older, my answer would be yes.

As we age, we naturally begin to lose muscle mass and strength. For women, the changes that come with perimenopause and menopause can make maintaining muscle and bone health even more important.

And I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to do things as I get older.

I want to hike.

I want to pick up my pups.

I want to carry groceries (okay want is subjective ha)

I want to get off the floor without needing help.

Basically, I want my body to keep allowing me to do whatever I want to do for as long as possible.

That’s one of the biggest reasons strength training matters.

Strength training helps us build and maintain muscle, improve strength, support bone health and make everyday activities easier.

Think about this: what happens if you fall when you're 50, 60, 70 or 80?

Strength training can’t guarantee that you won’t get hurt, because everyBODY is different and accidents happen. But I would much rather go into those later years with more muscle, stronger bones, better balance and more physical capacity than less.

Then comes the next question:

What kind of strength training should I do?

The answer is pretty simple.

The kind you will consistently do.

You can work with a coach.

You can train at home.

You can follow an online program.

You can join a gym.

You don’t need the fanciest program or the newest workout you saw on Instagram. You need something you can stick with week after week and month after month.

Because consistency is where the results happen.

And don't even get me started on all the other health benefits of strength training.

We'll save those for another day.

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