Weights Can Help Older Adults as Well
By Tom Herrin
If you are like most of us, you may have thought that the last thing you would see an older adult do is participate in strength training. It is simply a difficult picture for the mind. The reality is that they may actually do themselves quite a bit of good by getting out there and developing a regular workout routine. For those who feel that there is no way they can do this, almost everyone can do it to some extent. It is obvious that they can't start right in with heavy weights, but even younger people should avoid this due to the possibility of injury.
Training with Weights Can Help Burn Fat
Many times, I see people who seem to put on extra fat as they age. If we are not careful, we can allow ourselves to fall apart from neglect. Participating in some kind of weight training program can help to increase muscle that helps to burn fat. In many cases, it can keep us from adding the fat that lies under the skin. For some, this means reducing belly fat. It also can help to increase the production of some hormones, which, in turn, can also keep the body trim. You may be amazed by just how much change you may see by doing this.
Using Weights May Help Maintain Independence
It may seem strange to refer to independence when discussing health, but as we age, independence is a big deal. Too many people begin to lose muscle and strength as they age. As a result, they become dependent on others to do many simple things. Working out with weights can help us to have better responses and reactions. This means we are able to go about our normal activities with less assistance. Our joints remain in better working order and we will have a steadier stride. We often recognize someone as older when they seem unable to carry themselves well. If we keep our muscles in better shape, we can overcome that.
We Can Support the Heart
When we use weights for conditioning, we can do more than just a few thighs for the heart. Studies have shown that it can help to raise good cholesterol and lower bad. It also can help to lower triglycerides. Weight training additionally can do plenty to improve blood pressure by lowering both the systolic and diastolic numbers. That is pretty big and saves some wear and tear on the heart.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Diego, Calif.