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I know I keep saying this, but it's amazing to me how opinions on lifting weights has changed so dramatically from when I was in my youth compared to these days. When I was a young teenager lifting weights was still considered mostly a cosmetic/vanity thing and not necessary for fitness unlike cardio (aerobics, jogging, etc.). Also back then things like protein powders were considered useless and a waste of money.
Great to see lifting weights has achieved equal stature to cardio and other forms of exercise for overall health. In fact I'd say lifting weights is superior to many forms of exercise especially as one gets older. Good to see research supporting how important lifting weights is for all ages especially the elderly.
Contrary to popular wisdom among many gym-goers and even some scientists, healthy people in their 60s, 70s and beyond can safely start lifting weights and rapidly build substantial muscle mass, strength and mobility.
A new study of resistance exercise and the elderly found that even people in their 80s and 90s — who hadn’t weight trained before — showed significant gains after starting a supervised program of lifting weights three times a week.
“It shows that healthy older people can certainly respond to resistance training, that their muscles are still plastic,” said Tommy Lundberg, an exercise researcher at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, who was not involved in the study.
I know I keep saying this, but it's amazing to me how opinions on lifting weights has changed so dramatically from when I was in my youth compared to these days. When I was a young teenager lifting weights was still considered mostly a cosmetic/vanity thing and not necessary for fitness unlike cardio (aerobics, jogging, etc.). Also back then things like protein powders were considered useless and a waste of money.
Great to see lifting weights has achieved equal stature to cardio and other forms of exercise for overall health. In fact I'd say lifting weights is superior to many forms of exercise especially as one gets older. Good to see research supporting how important lifting weights is for all ages especially the elderly.
Cardio for longevity and the heart. Weight training and mobility work to maintain healthy bones and keep you mobile.
Actually, no need to overdo either. Science now shows 1 minute of cardio per week is all you need to increase your VO2 max. Provided, that is, that this 1 minute is basically all-out (like sprint for 1 minute as if you're running away from a hungry lion).
Similarly with weights, you can see great results from 1 set per muscle group if you take it to failure. And again, I don't mean volitional failure. I mean, you push that weight as hard as you can as if your life depends on it, and it still falls back onto you.
Absolutely it's never too late to lift weights. I'm now less than a month away from turning 70 and I'm getting stronger all the time. Weight training will prevent muscle loss and loss of strength and keep your bones strong as well. Combine weight training with mobility and flexibility movements, and enough aerobic activity and aside from serious illness or accident you'll stay physically capable all of your life.
Last edited by Michael Way; 12-13-2023 at 11:33 AM..
Lifting weights is important for controlling insulin resistance, something that can develop as people age. Building and maintaining lean muscle mass helps maintain or improve insulin sensitivity.
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