Start Strength Training After 60 With These Targeted Moves

If you have reached the age of 60 without any aches, pains, health problems or injuries, congratulations! However, the vast majority of the population by this age has had their fair share of challenges, which makes exercising all the more difficult. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that all adults weight train at least two non-consecutive days a week, in addition to regular cardio work. Not only will regular resistance training make you feel like a superhero when you’re picking up the grandkids, but you’ll also be decreasing your risk of heart disease, decreasing blood pressure and improving cholesterol, among other benefits.
By the time you reach the age of 60, what should your strength-training program include to reap the benefits, though? The weight room can be intimidating for anyone who’s never lifted weights, and with so much equipment available, finding the right combination of exercises can be downright confusing. Any resistance training routine should include three elements: Exercises that increase flexibility, increase your strength for all major muscle groups and be selected with care to avoid aggravating past injuries or causing new ones, most importantly. For your first foray into the weight room, keep these 16 moves in mind and get ready to get strong.

Legs

When working out the legs, the focus should primarily be on working the muscles surrounding the hips and knees. Squats are a great place to start focusing in on these areas. Not only does the squat strengthen the muscles around the knees and hips, but it is also a fundamental movement necessary for activities of daily living and independence, including once-simple acts such as getting into and out of a chair.
If you have bad knees, learning how to squat without knee pain is essential. If you struggle with knee pain, try not squatting as deeply or eliminate some of the weight by holding on to the kitchen counter as you lower your body. Keep in mind that proper form is essential here, so check in with your body throughout the movement to be sure your knees are aligned with your ankles and that you’re not feeling any pain. If squatting is still a challenge, leg presses are an alternative that works the hip and knee musculature, but decreases the loading on your knees compared to squats. Use leg presses to build strength in your legs until you can progress to a full bodyweight squat.
If neither squats nor leg presses are an option, start with exercises that strengthen the hips exclusively. A lying abduction is not only low-impact, but it is also a beginner move that targets that whole hip area. Research has shown that strengthening your hips alone can lessen knee pain. Once your hips are stronger, you can progress to exercises that incorporate both hip and knee strengthening such as those mentioned above.
Please Click “Next”or “Open”To Read More