As you see the years pass by, it becomes more important than ever to get yourself on a proper strength training program. Many of those who are aged 40 and beyond figure that if they haven’t started a strength training workout yet, it’s simply too late to get into it.
It’s never too late.
The fact is that there has never been a better time than the present to get going on a proper conditioning plan.
Why should you be engaging in a strength training program as you get older? Let’s take a closer look at some of the many reasons.
Improved Resting Metabolic Rate
Want to avoid weight gain as you get older? What if I told you the secret was in your strength training workout routine? One thing that many people fail to realize is the fact that it’s not that your metabolic rate automatically slows down once you hit 40 and beyond.
Instead, it’s that you begin to lose lean muscle mass. It’s this loss in lean muscle mass that then becomes the problem and causes the weight to pile on.
If you prevent the muscle mass loss, you prevent weight gain – it’s that simple. So the trick to staying slim as you age could just be hitting the gym for a weights session.
Enhanced Bone Strength
The next good reason to engage in strength training is because it’ll also boost your bone strength. As you get older, you are putting yourself at a higher risk of suffering from stress factures and osteoporosis. If you engage in a good strength training program however, you can reverse that risk.
Always remember that strength training doesn’t just cause your muscle tissues to grow stronger, but it will actually enhance your bone density as well.
Decreased Stress
High stress lifestyles are incredibly detrimental to good health and can set you up for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. One great way to combat stress?
Lift heavy weights. Not only does the act of lifting heavy and challenging your muscles allow you to release pent up frustration or stress, but you’ll also get a release of neurotransmitters in the body that can cause stress reduction benefits as well.
Once you see the stress reduction that strength training offers, chances are you’ll be hooked and never think twice about skipping a session again.
Transfer Over Benefits
Finally, let’s not forget the transfer over benefits you’ll receive. As you move through your strength training workout, you’ll come to find that everyday activities get that much easier.
Carrying groceries in from the car? No problem. Lifting that heavy box to the top shelf? You can do it without a challenge.
If you aren’t strength training, slowly you’ll find that everyday tasks that you used to do are getting harder and harder. This can in turn really decrease your overall quality of life.
So keep these reasons in mind and start considering taking up strength training on a regular basis. Just a few sessions per week is all you really need to see excellent results.