Aging Adults: do they need to exercise differently then their younger counterparts? What should aging adults focus on? I cover the essential issues older adults need to focus on the stay healthy and functional into advanced ages. An important component of this is avoid sarcopenia (age related loss of muscle mass) and that needs to be addressed with both exercise and nutrition, and other variables. For information on that topic, see my video on preventing age related loss of muscle mass, which also links you to my full article on the topic.
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26 Responses for Exercise Advice For Aging Adults
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November 15, 2010 04:29 am
I surely will agree with everything you said. Being an "aging adult" I see the importance of strength and balance in most all everday activities. I also have noticed over the past few years that staying strong is as hard now as getting strong was in the beginning. Keeping at it is the only way to at least maintain your strength.
Flexibility is a key issue also, as you mentioned. I work daily on flexibility issues. Foam role, joint work and stretching are a constant daily routine. Free weights and heavy work ( maybe not as heavy as it used to be) are very important as I get older. Hopefully I can keep it up well into my 70's and 80's.
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November 16, 2010 07:47 pm
I thought your inclusion of balance among the big three recommendations was a very useful, and often ignored piece of the fitness matrix. I'm going to try to incorporate that one more in my training now and as I get older.
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November 17, 2010 02:12 pm
i have been training for many years,at 64 i am thinking if one can go too heavy as in bench pressing 100kgs or should one start dropping the weight down? can this sort of weight be dangerous in this age group? i feel ok doing this but i still wonder about it .
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November 17, 2010 02:28 pm
I do agree with your comments and advice. I am going to be 65 in March of next year. I am retired and I still weight train. Not as much as I used to, but enough to keep in some sort of physical condition. I have always worked out through out my life. I have also aways taken supplements. The one thing I found out was to take creatine to keep my muscle mass loss to a minimum. This, belive it or not was suggested by my doctor when I question her about maintaining my youth and stamina in the bedroom. I would advise anyone to train with resistance training, I am proof that it keeps ones mind and body in great working order so that as we age we can continue living a full and great life.
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November 17, 2010 02:54 pm
Hi Will, I agree with your comments…It is extremely important for seniors to get involved with strength training. I have been at it for some 40 years, trying to keep away from Sarcopenia. my age is 65 and I just performed 25 continous reps of seated military press with 120 pounds, my body weight is around 190. I have a training studio where I train the older population. They all are extremely pleased with the results. it is this population that needs execise the most.
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November 17, 2010 03:19 pm
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This was great advice.
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November 17, 2010 04:12 pm
Hi Will, again very interesting subject.
Maybe to include proproception(if i used the right term). I included some movements with closed eyes that I feel better overall(in 50s now). My opinion is that people should not forget their age when began resistance training, and the repetition number should be adequate, and not to go very heavy. Saw some guys doing Staleys EDT, but probably this age is not the best for new personal records, health is more important.
Can you recomend some resources about this subject? I have some books but they are outdated know, and no new editions with new research.
regards -
November 17, 2010 05:37 pm
Thanks Will for addressing exercise for us older trainers. One thing that I believe that is harder for older trainers is dealing with explosive movements. It is the jumping, jaring and sometimes just the quickness of an exercise that causes me to be careful. I have no injuries but back flexibility is an issue. It is the burpies, mountain climbers and abs exercises that require fast movement from a prone postition that I struggle with. Stretching feels great, and I can touch my palms to the floor and beyond, actually I am flexible enough to put my forehead on my shins but I still have a hard time with the mentioned types of exercises. Just turned 62 in September and have visible abs for the very first time in my life.
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November 18, 2010 03:57 am
Philip, I have the same problem with explosive movements. Feel that muscle elasticity and explosiveness is 50% of younger age. Tried some 1 leg jump test, result was tragedy
Now I implement some light pliometrics but am aware of injury and doing it very carefuly. After 30 days it is know little better, but not as before 20 years
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November 17, 2010 06:25 pm
I'm really pleased with your suggestions, as well as the suggestions of the other commentators. I have been physically active since my late teens. And now, nearly 35 years later, I continue to train hard especially that the goal is to keep healthy and strong (if not for the good-looks LOL). I'm glad I'm not alone in the belief of "keep running the good race" !
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November 17, 2010 09:25 pm
Great info as I’m not far off 50 and i have noticed my workouts are becoming more of an effort to get motivated for. I have always done free weights and cables at home but with family and work taking up more time each year. I can still gained muscle but also my body fat has gone up too. Time for cardio is where i’m suffering.
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November 18, 2010 06:28 am
excellent video Will, as i am sixty and have trained since i was in school but started weights in in 1971 at twenty one and feel great and think your advice for us seniors is spot on and keep it coming as no one else that i know is helping us at this age in our life training. Well done and thanks.
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November 18, 2010 09:28 am
Hi Will, couldn't agree more with your advice re maintaining functional strength, balance & flexibility – combining resistance training with yoga, pilates & some cardio has worked for me for many years now & I am sure will continue to do so as I get older. It's amazing to see how bad many people's balance is (even young ones)!
Re motivation – yes it is sometimes hard to get to the gym / park / beach but what is the alternative? Losing everything you've worked hard for? Getting unfit & sick? Breaking a hip? Our bodies are meant to move & (most of us) have so much opportunity to fit in regular exercise that there is no valid excuse not to. Just do it! -
November 19, 2010 01:34 pm
It's tough to find a doctor who will work with you to get optimal levels of hormones. They will say you are fine with low to medium "normal" levels, especially if you're older. Doctor: "Get some exercise, watch your fat intake, blah blah blah".
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November 20, 2010 07:27 am
It is extremely important for the aging adults to exercise depending on his present physical condition. Any form of exercise will give them a healthy body and mind. But weight training is especially beneficial to prevent muscle loss or sarcopenia. I am a gynecologist from India and 57 yrs old. But I train with weight four days a week. Since last 2 month I am following Ronnie Coleman's chest routine ( total of 16 sets) without feeling any tiredness. In fact my chest has improved considerably. I feel very young and energetic and my friends say to me "I am the fountain of youth". In fact many of my friends have started coming to the gym after seeing my health and youthful way of living. Thanks for bringing out a very important topic for the senior citizens.
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November 22, 2010 08:22 pm
Will,
Great article!!!!! You are so right on every point. Balance, core training and functional training are so very important as we age. After suffering a near fatal heart attack almost 3 years ago, I got inspired and interested in fitness in cardiac rehab. I am 57 years old and in the best shape of my life. I became a personal trainer and my mission is to help others get healthy. You are right it is easier when you are younger but it can still happen at any age and with most conditions if it is worked at. The energy, stamina, functional strength that can be acquired is unbelieveable. Keep up the good work !!!!! -
November 24, 2010 10:29 pm
Hey Will. I enjoy reading your stuff, and like this subject you are usually right on. I am 62. I let myself get out of shape for years. Now I am on my third round of P90X. I have lost 32 pounds (down to 200 lbs at 6'2"), added a significant amount of muscle, and gained flexibility. Keep up the good work.
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December 02, 2010 11:23 pm
I'm 54 and have been weight training for many years, so my strength and balance are very good. But until about five years ago I almost never did any stretching or worried about loss of flexibility. But when I started to experience low back pain, I finally started stretching on a regular basis. The stretching alleviated my low back pain and now stretching is as much a part of my fitness program as weight training is.
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December 10, 2010 12:53 pm
Hi there Will,
I hope you are well. I wrote you sometime ago about not being able to lose weight and gaining while on BFFM. However, you suggested to get my hormones checked. I am a 36 yo female and curious because I stay tired I thought it could be an age factor or something. I did visit my Dr. he said hormones are fine but, still I am tired so, I decided to take a break like a week and a half and I'm losing weight and starting to feel well rested and so much better. What is happening to me? I do take regular breakes between cardio and weight for a week every 2 months. My Dr or personal trainer does not have an explanation for this. Can you explain what I may be experiencing? I thought that is what exercise is supose to do is make you feel better but, instead I feel worse at times.
Thank you,
Angel





