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Writer's pictureDr. Robert Berghorn, Jr.

Strength Training In Later Life: Get Your Independence Back!

Are you terrified about getting older and losing independence?


Becoming a burden on your children?


Missing out on life milestones?


As we age, a lot of us begin to consider what will happen after retirement. We can become paralysed by the fear that our body won't be able to keep up with our younger family members.


You should be looking forward to more time with your children and grandchildren! Not avoiding social situations because of the risk of embarrassment!


In this blog, you will learn how to combat this fear.


Not just temporarily but for good!


The Pitfalls of Growing Older


One of the most obvious effects of aging is a loss of independence. This can be due to a decrease in mobility, vision problems, or other physical limitations.


Once you turn 40, a person can lose up to 10 percent of their muscle mass and that loss continues each passing year. Your joints become less flexible and weakened. Our metabolism slows down, making it more difficult to stay active and maintain an ideal body weight.


An increased risk of hypertension and heart disease is often a side-effect of aging due to an inactive lifestyle.


These are just some of the negative effects growing older has on the body.


No one likes the idea of growing old. Becoming a shell of your former self! It is a perfectly rational response.


However, for many the answer is to suppress this fear and leave your concerns unaddressed. This will only make the problem worse and lead to damaging effects of which there is no return!


What is Strength Training and How Can It Help?


Strength training is a form of physical exercise that uses resistance to build strength, flexibility, and endurance.


Strength training works by putting stress on your muscles in order to make them stronger and increase their size over time.


It can help reduce the risk of injury due to improved stability and muscle control. Strength training is an effective way to build lean muscle mass, which results in increased metabolism and fat-burning capabilities.


Finally, regular strength training has been shown to help reduce stress, anxiety, and the effects of aging on the body. With all these benefits, it's easy to see why strength training is an important part of a healthy lifestyle!


Six Pieces of Advice To Get You Started On Strength Training Journey


Strength training is ESSENTIAL for maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle, well into the future. Don’t worry, we aren’t asking you to give up what you love, to spend all your time lifting weights.

With these 6 simple tips you can get started on your strength training regime!


1. Start young


Strength training from a young age is beneficial for long-term health and wellbeing. It can help maintain a healthy body weight, reduce the risk of injury, and prepare the body for future changes.

However, it is never too late to start strength training!


2. Focus on full-body exercises


Full-body exercises are great for building strength and flexibility throughout your entire body. Consider incorporating squats, lunges, push-ups, planks, and pull-ups into your routine.


3. Add stretching into your routine


Stretching is important for maintaining flexibility and range of motion while strength training. Make sure to add a few minutes of stretching before and after each session to ensure you’re not overworking any specific muscles.


4. Use proper form


Proper form is essential for preventing injury and optimizing strength training results. Make sure to focus on keeping the core tight, using controlled movement patterns, and avoiding locking out joints during exercises.


5. Track progress


It is helpful to track your strength training over time so you can monitor your progress and adjust the program as needed. This will help ensure that you’re making gains and staying safe while strength training.


6. Seek Expert Advice


It's important to remember that seeking help from a healthcare professional is key in developing the right strength training regime. Our physical therapist team can work with you to determine the best treatment plan for your individual needs!


The Best Way To Gain Independence Fast!


Our Physical Readiness Evaluation can give you the confidence you need to make the most out of your retirement!


For this month only the cost of our Physical Fitness Assessment has been decreased to $57 from $259.


That's a saving of over $200!


So, act quickly to reserve your spot now since there are LIMITED spaces available!


Rather stay at home?


Call us on 516-387-0053 or fill in our simple web form for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our physical therapists.


If you want to continue playing with the grandkids, keep your independence and get your confidence back arrange your Physical Fitness Assessment by filling in our simple web form or calling our Massapequa clinic at 516-387-0053.


Other Free Resources For Strength Training


If you don't feel you're quite ready to come into our North Massapequa NY clinic, we have even more free resources for Strength Training.





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