Improve Your Health
Older adults of all ages and abilities can benefit from regular strength training.
Fran, 69, of Charlotte, NC, stumbled into the benefits of
strength training. Years ago, she tripped over a bedspread and twisted her knee. During rehab, she was given a set of weight-based exercises to help strengthen her leg muscles and speed her recovery. Fran had always been active, but she felt better after doing these exercises.
Strength training can boost your health in many ways, such as:
- Improving health problems like osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, back pain, and depression
- Increasing your flexibility
- Making your bones stronger
- Helping you to maintain a healthy weight
- Improving your sleep
- Keeping your heart healthy
- Improving your mood
Focus on Your Muscles
A strength-training routine should focus on the major muscles in your body. These are found in your arms, legs, chest, back, and abdomen. You may think that your daily activities are enough to work them, but strength-training can target muscles and push them to become stronger. Here are just a few of the exercises:
