What does weightlifting help with?

• Building muscle and strength: Building muscle makes us stronger. When we are strong we can remain functional longer and therefore maintain our independence longer. Bottom line, we need muscle to remain independent as we age, and we need to start protecting the muscle we have right now.

• Protecting our bones: Lifting weights helps protect our bone health and prevent osteoporosis. Frail bones can lead to broken bones, which leads to a loss of independence, and ultimately that is what we need to prevent at all costs.

• Improved balance and coordination: Stronger muscles and better balance decrease our risk for falls and injuries.

• Boosting metabolism: Having more muscle means more calories are burned at rest. As we age we naturally gain more visceral fat as a response to decreased estrogen. Building muscle can help us maintain a healthy body composition.

• Boosting our mental health: Exercise, and weightlifting in particular, can help relieve stress and a depressed mood with the endorphins that are released. 

It is never too late to start incorporating weightlifting into your routine! If you are new to weightlifting, consult a trainer in the beginning to help you with proper form and prevent injury. Start with lighter weights and gradually increase as you get stronger. Aim for 2-3 strength training workouts per week. Make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet…this is VERY important as we need protein to build muscle (see our article: Protein Power: Why Getting Enough Protein is Essential for Maintaining Good Health). You will reap these benefits by remaining strong and vital for years to come!