Don't Wait, Lift Weight.

If you think you don’t need to do resistance training, chances are you need to do resistance training more than anyone!

It is a widely held misconception that resistance training is only for athletes looking to improve their athletic performance when in actual fact resistance is hugely beneficial to improving everyday performance, especially in older adults.

As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass, as much as 5% every 10 years after the age of 30! This reduction in muscle mass leads to weakness and reduced mobility which both can increase the risk of falls and falls related injuries! A 2015 report from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research found that older adults had twice the risk of having a fracture of the hip, collarbone, leg, arm or wrist from a fall. Injuries that as we get older, can be extremely debilitating and have a massive impact on independence. 

Now if you’re asking yourself how you can maintain or even improve your levels of muscle and reduce your risk of falling, the answer is resistance training! Resistance training is a broad term used to describe exercises involving dumbbells, kettlebells, weight machines or body weight to name a few!

Research has shown that undertaking some form of resistance training 2-3x per week can improve muscle strength, improve flexibility and balance, increase bone density, improve weight management, reduce injury risk, help manage chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease (just to name a few!) Resistance training has also shown to improve mental health with research showing improved self esteem and self confidence following a period of resistance training! 

Now that sounds great doesn’t it? So why are so many people reluctant to start lifting weights? What is the resistance to resistance training? The most common barriers we come across is a fear that lifting weights will worsen an issue or a lack of knowledge and skill in performing resistance training.

This is where we can help! Our Physio and EP team are experts in helping you find a style of resistance training you enjoy as well as teaching you how to perform resistance training safely and effectively! Don’t let another year go by without reaping the benefits that resistance training has to offer! 

The results are worth the weight!