Resistance training is vital as we age

By Cian Minihane

There’s a bit of a misperception about resistance training. People tend to believe it’s only for super-duper fit body builders or young gym bunnies – this is not the case at all.

If that false narrative has stopped you incorporating resistance training into your day, trust me when I tell you that the difference a little weight or resistance training can make to your health and fitness is huge, regardless of age or activity level.

Resistance training is any exercise where you pull, push or work against resistance. It’s any force that makes a movement hard to perform, like lifting a weight, or even using your own body weight as resistance. It’s extremely beneficial, especially as we age.

Boost metabolism:

As the years fly by, our metabolism naturally slows down. Performing resistance training will help increase your metabolism because it increases lean body mass and muscle tissue.

Burn fat before Santa’s arrival:

Christmas is well and truly in our sights now and who doesn’t want to drop some fat before the big man comes?

Resistance training aids the fat loss process by increasing both burn after exercise and by increasing lean muscle in your body, thereby increasing the number of calories we burn at rest. It does wonders for the overall silhouette of the body and general health.

Increase bone density:

In older adults, weight training is, in my opinion, the most important thing you need to introduce into your lifestyle. It puts stress on bones that will nudge bone-forming cells into action. This only happens by performing resistance training exercises that result in your bone density and bones becoming stronger, denser and reduces possibility of fracture or break.

Be stronger than ever:

As we age, the possibility of injury increases - don’t hate me, it’s just a fact of life.

However, no matter what age we are, the risk is always there, be it at age 20 or age 80, so we need to fortify ourselves as best we can. Resistance training is a tool for injury prevention, by improving the strength of muscles, tendons and ligaments. The stronger these are then it will hold our body in alignment and protect the bones and joints when moving or in impact.

Resistance training is not just for the young or only to look good. It will help your body now and benefit you for the rest of your life in every single aspect throughout your lifetime.

If you want to be taught how to do this to a high standard with correct form and level up your knowledge on resistance training, then contact us today by searching CM Fitness on Facebook and Instagram.

Cian Minihane is the owner and head coach at CM Fitness And Personal Training.