Fitness Myth: It’s too late to get in shape!
Why should older adults lift weights? There is nothing great about growing older. However, there are those out there who handle it better than others. Of course, those who engage in a regular fitness program are among those who age the best. Just ask Jack Lalanne.
Understandably, you may not want to become a health nut like Jack Lalanne (I say that affectionately), but you can definitely improve your quality of life. Let’s look at a few things that happen as you age that are impacted by resistance (weight) training:
Sarcopenia (loss of muscle): Starting at age 25 (somewhere around the end of puberty), you begin to lose muscle at the rate of .5% per year up to age 60. After 60, you can lose muscle at the rate of 1% per year. This is relevant not only from the standpoint of losing muscle tone, but a loss of strength, flexibility, and a lower metabolism.
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