Strength Training After Fifty

Strength training after fifty is no longer for those people who are having some sort of mid-life crisis. In fact, doctors are literally writing prescriptions to get this generation up and moving. They are taking out the pen and prescription pad, writing something barely legible, ripping it off the pad and handing it to more and more of their patients. So what's the result? Well the result is lots of people strength training after fifty years of age. It's magical. A doctor writes a prescription to strength train! No pharmacy necessary.

Unfortunately, strength training still conjures up images of young guys with bulging peck muscles and barely there tank tops. More and more fitness centers across the United States are seeing more and more fifty+ members. And that's a great movement.

So where should you begin if you happen to be one of the many strength training after fifty people? Let's start with the basics- measurements. And I'm not talking about weight only here. I am talking about body fat percentage and resting heart rate. These two elements are critical when determining a starting point for your strength training program.

Armed with that data, we proceed to talk about goals. What do you hope to accomplish? A drop in blood pressure? A decrease in clothing size? An increase in health? Whatever your goals may be, your trainer should be properly prepared to walk with you along your journey. Remember that safety is always a top concern. Go with a trainer that you feel comfortable with.

A typical beginning routine for those strength training after fifty may look a bit like this-

* Warm-up for 5-10 minutes

* Begin with isolated (one-joint) strength training exercises such a bicep curl or chest fly

* After completing 3 sets of 12 reps for each major muscle group, move onto cardio

* Cardio can be anything that gets your heart pumping to approximately 60-70% of your maximum heart rate

Depending on your goals and health, the weight you lift and the amount of cardio performed will vary. Train well.

Copyright 2005 strength-training-woman.com

Lynn VanDyke is owner of http://www.strength-training-woman.com. She is certified in personal training, nutrition and yoga. Be sure to check out the No Limits ezine. It's a must-read for all things strength training.

---

Rotator Cuff: Exercises and Strategies to Prevent Injury

Have you ever experienced a dull ache or sharp pain... Read More

Exercise and Losing Weight for Life ? Avoid the #1 Mistake Everyone Makes!

Do you ever feel like you are working out so... Read More

The Science of Carbohydrate Loading

A valid connection between hypoglycemia, fatigue and premature termination of... Read More

Is It Safe To Start An Exercise Program?

I think the real question is "How safe is it... Read More

Arthritis Exercise for All Levels

Exercise can be very beneficial for arthritis sufferers, often relieving... Read More

Sport

In our modern day society we have moved away from... Read More

Weight Loss, Bodybuilding, and Exercise Tips ? Keeping Your Body-fat Low; Part 1 of 10

Ever go to a party and wish you were the... Read More

3 Steps To Starting a Successful Fall Exercise Program

Ah, the crisp cool breeze, the invigorating feel of the... Read More

Stretching for Health

Lack of flexibility is now seen to be a major... Read More

Programming Brief: Exercise Order

One of the fundamental principles of exercise prescription, specifically resistance... Read More

Get Out and Play: Top 7 Outdoor Exercises

Do you remember when our parents used to yell at... Read More

Precision Abdominal Training

It's almost impossible to turn on the television or open... Read More

Arthritis Exercise ? One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 1)

Exercise can be very beneficial for arthritis sufferers, often relieving... Read More

Fitness Focus: Overcoming Obstacles

If you're like me, the quest to be in shape,... Read More

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a system of over 500 controlled exercises that... Read More

The Fundamentals of Pilates

There are people who are fond of getting an exercise... Read More

Burn that Fat - The Most Efficient and Effective Exercise Yet Devised by Man!

Rebounding: Health and Fitness BenefitsAs quoted by NASA, rebounding is... Read More

Triathalon Racing, It Starts At The Beginning

Long before you can enter into triathalon racing, you will... Read More

Movement That Matters: Exercise With a Greater Purpose

You've seen the commercials Ive fallen and I cant get... Read More

Exercise and Heart Health: A Life Giving Marriage

Most people get their health out of a bottle these... Read More

Monitor Your Body Fat Levels For Results

A very important aspect in really finding out if you're... Read More

Top 3 Back Pain Risk Factors

Lower back pain is an increasingly common problem in fact... Read More

People Walking: How Some People Enjoy Their Exercise Walking

People walking regularly for exercise often walk for more than... Read More

Your Guide to Joining the Right Gym

Whether you want to look good on the beach this... Read More

Top 10 Exercise Mistakes and How To Fix Them

This is a list of ten common mistakes made during... Read More

Exercise - Anxiety & Panic

Yes, all I'm afraid this does play a part in... Read More

Optimize Your Exercise: Maximizing the Time Spent Working Out

Diet and Exercise are the inseparable twins that are seen... Read More

Lance Armstrong?s Training Tactics ? The Tortoise or the Hare?

I have been counseling people on weight loss, exercise efficiency... Read More

Workouts That Travel

A vacation can do wonders for reducing stress levels, but... Read More

5 Ways to Fit Fitness In

Five points to consider when you want to fit fitness... Read More

Have a Detailed Exercise Plan Before Training

You would never build a house without a site plan,... Read More

Bodybuilding Sins That Cause Back Pain and Missed Workouts: Part 4

Welcome to article number 4 in our series "Bodybuilding Sins... Read More

A 30-minute, Or Less, Full Body Workout

Most people do not have the time to do biceps... Read More