Weight training stands as a beacon for those aspiring to combat ageing and remain youthful, fitter and vibrant through their 40s, 50s, 60s and well beyond.
Faster metabolism, improved brain function, blood sugar control and overall good health are some of the headline benefits of lifting weights.
With the growing age, it becomes increasingly important to stay fit and active in order to maintain your health. Unfortunately, it becomes more challenging post-40s. Questions like the ideal workout routine, appropriate gym equipment, how often to train weekly, and training patterns can be perplexing.
In this piece, we'll delve into fitness post-40, underscore the merits of weight training during this phase, and highlight essential tips for efficient weight training.
Staying Fit post-40s
Consistent exercise is crucial for optimal health, particularly post-40. For this age group, consistent workouts confer benefits like enhanced heart health, heightened energy levels, improved sleep quality, better mental well-being, and robust muscle strength. Moreover, exercise acts as a shield against chronic ailments such as diabetes and cancer.
Benefits of weight training post-40s:
Weight training offers numerous perks regardless of one's age. It bolsters muscular strength and endurance, promotes bone health, revs up metabolism, fine-tunes balance and coordination, trims body fat, lowers blood pressure, and refines posture and flexibility.
Beyond these physical attributes, it also augments body image, thus elevating self-confidence. A meticulously crafted workout regime can keep individuals active and healthy even beyond their 40s.
Golden points to keep in mind while lifting weights:
Medical history: Prioritise understanding your family's medical history, particularly concerning heart disease. Those with personal or family medical histories should seek advice from healthcare professionals before embarking on any exercise regimen and should collaborate with certified personal trainers to curate the best workout plan.
Staying injury-free: It will take longer to recover from a niggle in your 40s than it will in your 20s, so avoiding this will keep you training longer, resulting in more frequent stimulus for growth.
Warm up, mobilise and stretch: Investing 10 to 15 minutes every day into mobility and flexibility will pay huge dividends when it comes to staying healthy as you age. Even it is more important to warm up your body before lifting weights. A proper warm-up helps to prepare your mind, muscles and joints for a workout.
Proper form and technique: When we talk about weight training, the first thing to keep in mind is to perform the proper form and technique of a workout. It is important irrespective of age. With proper form and technique, one can achieve better and injury-free results.
Incorporate lots of variety: One of the most important variables in hypertrophy is to incorporate lots of variety in your training. Variety should not just be limited to exercise choice, but also chronology in exercise.
Focus on the quality: For beginners over 50, focusing on four or five exercises at maximum is enough for a workout. Choosing quality over quantity. Simply pick an upper body chest triceps session, a lower body legs session, and again an upper body back and biceps session and keeping an eye on quality is an excellent way to train.
Conclusion
It is important for everyone to stay healthy and fit, especially post-40s. It is possible with the right workout regime and a balanced diet. It is important to lift weights throughout life, as well as adjust your routine for age-appropriate exercises when you are over 40. It is easy to find a good workout plan that fits your needs and get started on your journey toward better fitness and improved heart health.
