Benefits of Weight Training After 40

Once you hit the age of 40, you might feel like gravity is working overtime to weigh down your once tight muscles and taut skin.

You’re not entirely wrong. In fact, your muscles start to weaken around the age of 30. This includes changes in your muscle mass and a decrease in muscle strength. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t get into the best shape of your life.

You might not be 20 years old anymore but as the old saying goes, “you’re only as young as you feel.” Weight training after 40 can help you look and feel your best. It also comes with a plethora of benefits for your mind and body.

Stay with us to learn more about the benefits of weight training and start rocking 40+ like it’s the new 20!

Weight Training Helps to Reduce Fat

Let’s face it, fat is a little more reluctant to leave your side(s) in your 40s. One of the best side effects of weight training is that it helps you lose fat.

There are two reasons for this. Strength training can help boost your metabolic rate and helps you increase the rate at which you burn calories during rest.

Fat is lost when you exercise but also with a calorie deficit. You can decide what your goal weight is and adjust your workout accordingly. If you are losing more weight than intended through strength training, you can always incorporate more calories into your diet.

This is a great way to ensure that you keep getting stronger and maintain your goal weight.

See how our Pilates 60 minute cardio and strength training class meets all the requirements of Dr. Gregor’s How Not to Die fitness regime.

It Makes You Stronger

As the name of the game implies, strength and weight training make you stronger. If you want to improve muscle mass and build strength, weight training is the way to go.

It improves the range of mobility and range of motion in ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Maintaining strong muscles is also an important factor in maintaining strong bones – a key element in keeping your body feeling young.

Added strength can also give you more energy throughout the day to enjoy your favorite activities. Whether you’re powering through a day at the office or running around with the grandkids, added strength gives you the energy you need to get the most out of life.

It Lowers Your Risk of Injury

As you get older, certain activities might pose more risk of injury. You might feel added aches and pains during strenuous movements that weren’t there before. This is your body telling you it probably needs a little tune-up before there is an injury.

Weight training helps reinforce the strength around your joints and muscles. This helps to create a cushion and protection against injury.

It can also help balance out your muscles. Perhaps you have strong glutes but you’re weak in your core – which makes you more prone to a lower back injury. Strength training can help reinforce strength in weak areas.

Weight Training Is Incorporated Into Your HIIT Pilates Class

There are so many ways that you can enjoy physical exercise that doesn’t have to feel like a chore.

You might have heard about HIIT classes and wondered what they are all about. HIIT stands for high-intensity interval training and it combines Pilates and resistance training. This is a fun and effective way to get in a well-rounded workout.

It helps rev up your metabolism, improve your flexibility, and amp up your cardiovascular fitness.

Another added benefit is the social aspect of a fun HIIT class. You can meet new people who share your fitness goals or grab a girlfriend and head to a class together.

YogaSol offers HIIT Pilates Cardio classes that incorporate cardio, weight resistance, and free weights, all in one awesome 60-minute class. Even two to three classes per week can help you build strength and tone up your body.

Look for the “Hot Pilates Strength” classes on the YogaSol calendar, with trainer Tricia Buffardi. In the Pilates Strength class, Tricia incorporates 1 – 3 lb. COATED hand weights as optional resistance training.

NEW Pilates ONLY class passes available now!

Weight Training After 40 Increases Your Balance

Strength training also helps improve your balance and decrease your risk of falls. Exercise helps you support your body and ensure that you prevent injury from falls.

You can include resistance bands into your workout as well as other forms of strength training after 40.

However, we can’t guarantee the same results after a glass of chardonnay!

It Helps Improve Your Self Confidence

With age, your body will start to change and that might create some issues with your self-esteem. It is common to feel this way but it is important to remember that everyone ages.

Weight training can help you improve your self-confidence as you become stronger and more toned. As you start looking and feeling your best, you will see major changes in your self-esteem. What’s important is creating achievable goals.

Listen to your body and understand what it needs at your current age. Don’t set fitness goals for yourself that are unattainable. Instead, get in tune with your body and honor its current needs.

Embracing Weight Training After 40 & at all Ages

Weight training is great for your body at any age but even more beneficial after the age of 40. While some people are intimidated by weight training after 40, the right guidance will remind you that age ain’t nothing but a number!

It helps you reduce fat, makes you stronger, lowers your risk of injury, and improves your self-esteem. Joining a Pilates Strength class can help you get started weight training safely and effectively.

Visit our website and book a class with us to help you get into the best shape of your life at 40 and beyond!