Last Updated on September 25, 2021 by FS Studios Personal Training

Should you weight train as you get older?

The answer is absolutely yes.

Why You Should Weight Train as You Age

One of the things that happens as we get older is we get a little bit stiffer and we lose a bit of muscle.

This can make us feel like we should hit the couch and soothe our aches and pains.

Unfortunately, hitting the couch and soothing our sore spots can actually have the opposing effect.

What the Couch Does

We are made up of collagen and as we sit and don’t move, our collagen can get all twisted up.

This shortens it and thus, decreases our range of motion.

Imagine a sheet that’s been all messed up on a bed. It pulls away from the corners and gets shorter Right? Right.

This is very similar to the effect spending more time on the couch and being less active has on our bodies.

The trick is to stretch that collagen out so that we get our range back and feel like we can move again.

How to Get off The Couch Properly

If you’re trying to figure out what to do, another very important trick is to start very slowly.

The urge is to go crazy right off the bat when we start a new program and that can lead to more strains that put us right back on the couch.

So if you’re looking to get into a new fitness regime, make sure you start slowly.

If you’re concerned about what to start with, it’s a good idea to hire a trainer and get a simple program set up.

This often only takes a few sessions.

Do Some Weights as You Get Older

Another tip I often talk about with clients is that they should do some resistance training.

There’s nothing quite like a little bit of weight training to keep some tone and strength.

Because weights are progressive, they have a different effect on the body.

The progressive nature of doing a bit of weight training causes stimulus at literally any age.

Clients that are 80 years old can get strength training benefits from even simple, bodyweight seated exercise programs.

So, next time you’re debating whether it’s a good idea to take a break on the sofa, keep in mind that it will be there after a quick workout session.

It’s also much more satisfying to hit the couch when you’ve really earned it no matter what your age is.

FS Studios