In the mid-70’s Arnold Schwarzenegger made a movie called Pumping Iron. It tracked several of the top bodybuilders of the day in their quest for the 1975 Mr. Olympia title. The movie is a cult classic for any bodybuilding aficionado such as myself, and was Arnold’s first significant step toward an acting career. At the time, however, baby boomers and other Americans weren’t really into fitness in general, and weightlifting even less so. Today, as boomers turn 65 in droves, studies show that weightlifting is an incredibly valuable form of exercise for all individuals especially those over age 50. As we age (and like it or not we are all going to age) we lose muscle mass, bone density and strength, among other things. But new research shows that it’s safe for older individuals to train intensely. And the benefits aren’t just physical. Weight training has been shown to enhance “executive function”, or higher-level brain tasks. Executive function allows a person to juggle multiple tasks and see them through to completion. I think exercise has so many benefits I can’t list them all, however, if you thought lifting weights was out of the question because you’re getting older think again. It can provide both physical and mental benefits for a healthy retirement. Now, because I’m a lawyer and not a doctor–disclaimer alert, if exercise new to you or you’ve had injuries or other health issues in the past please consult a doctor and consider working with a trainer before tossing up 4 plates on the bench (that’s 405 lbs btw).
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