Humans have been strength training for a very long time — we just didn’t call it strength training.
Lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying things, and using your body against resistance has always been part of life. For most of history, the majority of people worked manual labor jobs that required them to “exercise” just to get through the day.
As society has progressed, we’ve naturally become more sedentary. Not for the worse — I’d argue for the better. We’ve become more efficient. Right now, more than at any other point in history, it’s the easiest time to be alive.
On the flip side, manual labor jobs aren’t as common as they once were. Today, you can make a living sitting at home working on a laptop.
What we have to start adding back in is the physical work we used to do — just in a more organized, intentional way.
What the science says
The conversation around longevity has really picked up over the last few decades. But if you actually sift through the literature, a lot of these studies keep pointing back to one thing: how powerful strength training really is.
Many of the issues we associate with aging — loss of strength, decreased muscle mass, poor balance — can be drastically improved with something as simple as consistent weight training.
The National Institute of Aging has been studying the effects of strength training for a very long time, and here’s what their research found.
Use it or lose it
If we don’t maintain a regular exercise regimen or consistently use our bodies, we’re going to start losing things.
The primary driver of age-related decline is the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength. And the older we get, the steeper that drop-off tends to become.
But consistent strength training can dramatically slow that decline down.
Another unsung benefit is the ability to stay independent.
A good chunk of our population that is 70+ struggles with basic movements such as climbing stairs or standing up from a chair. That decline in mobility can put you at higher risk of falls, chronic disease, and ultimately losing your independence. Regular strength training can change that trajectory. Adults, specifically older adults who perform regular exercise, including strength training, remain independent for much longer.
Benefits of Strength Training
Resistance training can help you stay leaner, healthier and more resilient as you age!
Here are some more benefits:
- Bigger, stronger muscles that will protect your joints and keep you moving a lot easier.
- Greater amounts of fat loss.
- Reduce risk of diabetes.
- Better cognitive function.
- Stronger bones, and it will lower your blood pressure.
Best way to get started?
I’m a big believer in coaching — both inside and outside the gym. I have several coaches in my own life who guide me from a training standpoint and from a business standpoint.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without that coaching.
Finding local professionals that are able to get the ball rolling for you in a safe and structured manner is super important.
They will be able to teach you the basics that will keep you safe and coming back each week. Most importantly, they will teach you the discipline and the accountability that is needed to make sure that this is a mainstay in your life.
And we do that exact same thing! Scheduling a free consultation is the best way to get started so that we can set you up on the path for success!
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