Are you functionally fit? Can you get out of a chair easily without assistance? Can you pick up a box out of the garage and move it safely? Can you climb a set a stairs without being winded? These are things we all come across on any given day. Are you prepared? Do you have enough strength and body mobility to handle these every day encounters?

Whether you are 15 or 75, strength and mobility are the life blood to a fun and bountiful life. They are, in my opinion, the two pieces of fitness that if lost can leave us dependent and lacking the ability to live fully! Essentially, if we quit moving we stop living. That is a sad statement, but it has some truth.

Let me outline some of the benefits of strength training: 1) Builds lean muscle mass, which allows you the strength to do more and burn more calories. What does that mean? It means the best way to get rid of excess fat (other than nutrition) is to build lean muscle. Warning!! You will NOT become “bulky.” Women who are “bulky” train for that look, and take many supplements to get that way! So start lifting for a leaner, toned body 🙂 2) Builds stronger bones and ligaments. Numerous studies have shown that strength training can help prevent osteopenia/osteoporosis and increase the amount of collagen around the joints. 3) Decreases the incidence of injury. This one I think is very important, but not really thought about. Who has time to be injured? Not me!

This list alone should be enough to get you going! If anything, it should help you better understand the importance of implementing strength into your daily life!

The journal of The Physician and Sports Medicine states between the ages of 40 and 50 years, we can lose >8% of our muscle mass and declines faster as we age and choose to stop moving.

Muscle=ability. We lose muscle by not using it. Not using it means functional decline. It’s not a secret that our generation is becoming more and more sedentary but we as individuals need to become more proactive with our health and wellness and choose to MOVE!

So why do people get injured lifting weights? Here are a couple of reasons off the top of my head; they are lifting heavier than they should, they go into a deeper range of motion with a load (weight) they are not accustomed or trained to do, and lastly (but most often), it is based upon ego and improper instruction/guidance. So, take your time, progress your range of motion over a period of time if it is not already there, check your ego at the door, no one cares what you used to be able to do 15 years ago, and last but not least communicate with your coach/trainer. The more we know what you are feeling or not feeling the better we can assess your movement.

One thing I want to say before we finish; lifting “heavy,”  is VERY relative. Relative to age, training experience, and mindset, i.e… I pick up/deadlift 450 pounds, but a 65 year old woman may just be able to lift a 35 pound Kettlebell from an elevated surface and that is “heavy” to her.  It is not about how much you lift just that you are putting your body through a stimulus that mimics everyday tasks and CHALLENGES you. Just practicing these movements will prevent injury and make you self sufficient so you do not have to rely on someone else. Independence!!!!!

Unfortunately, having little muscle mass and subsequently little strength as one ages not only results in a loss of functional ability, but it also increases the risk for injury. Strength training has just as many benefits for the aging community as it does for the younger and more active population. Simply put: Do not stop MOVING!! Your risk for injury is greatly decreased by the ability to maintain or improve functionality through strength training. If you have a limitation or injury, don’t let it stop you from moving or strengthening the rest of your body. We welcome you exactly where you are and we can program your workouts based on your current abilities.

That is why strength training is such a key component here at MOVE! If you do not know how to lift, we will progress you slowly and make sure you understand the movement you are about to perform. So relax and let us walk you through it. It is what we love to do! It is our belief and passion to get you strong and keep you strong so you can live a long, healthy life outside the gym!