GET STRONGER OR GET LEFT BEHIND: Why Seniors MUST Keep Challenging Their Bodies
This picture accurately represents the basics of progressive overload!
Let's talk about something that sounds a lot more complicated than it really is: progressive overload. And if you're over 60, this might be one of the most important concepts you ever learn about exercise. How lucky are you that I’m (THE LEGEND) writing about it today!?!!? Pretty sexy if ya ask me!
It’s what we Exercise Specialists call progressive overload simply means asking your body to do a little more over time. It doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that. Simply means maybe that's another repetition, a slightly heavier dumbbell, an extra set, better control, or simply performing an exercise with less assistance. Your body adapts to the challenges you give it, which means if you want to stay strong, you have to keep giving your muscles a reason to stay strong.
Seniors Don't Need to "Take It Easy"
Here's where I think we've done older adults a huge disservice.
Somewhere along the way, we decided that getting older means exercise should become easier and easier, and much more gentle. You have Silver Sneakers and all that garbage to thank for that. It’s the “something is better than nothing” crowd. Might as well just go to Planet Fitness, walk in the door, grab a donut and leave.
Nope. That’s NOT HOW IT GOES! Let me go ahead and school the WEAK!
Your body doesn't know you're 65, 75, or 85. It responds to resistance and movement by adapting. If you continually challenge your muscles appropriately, you can maintain and improve strength well into your later years.
And that's a big deal. Because strength isn't just about lifting weights.
Strength is getting out of a chair.
Strength is carrying groceries.
Strength is climbing stairs.
Strength is catching yourself when you lose your balance.
Strength is independence. LONGEVITY. QUALITY!!!!!
Progressive Overload Doesn't Mean Going Crazy
Now, understand that this doesn't mean seniors need to throw massive weights around or train until they're exhausted. Just do a little more than the week or two you previously had.
At Wellness League, progressive overload might mean going from a 5-pound dumbbell to a 7-pound dumbbell. It might mean doing 12 repetitions instead of 10. It might mean standing up from a chair without using your hands. Or holding a light weighted ball instead of just using your bodyweight. It is sensible, smart, and EFFECTIVE!
Those little victories add up. And that's the magic. You don't have to become a superhero. You just need to become a little stronger than you were yesterday.
Personal Training for Seniors in Wichita, KS
If you're looking for senior personal training in Wichita, KS, Wellness League specializes in helping older adults build strength, improve mobility, increase confidence, and maintain independence through safe, individualized exercise programs.
We don't believe in punishing your body. We believe in challenging it appropriately. Because getting older is inevitable. Getting weaker doesn't have to be.
Nate's Wisdom:
"Your body doesn't need you to prove how strong you are. It needs you to give it a reason to stay strong."
Final Thought ( COACH Nate Style)
You don’t just lose strength when you age… you lose it when you disconnect.
SO, IF YOU DON’T WANT ME GETTING PISSED OFF… FRIENDS YOU BETTER: Stay social. Stay moving. Stay living. And if you do that, you might just find that your life is so much better.
And if you’re looking for a place where all three come together… You already know where to find us.
WL-N8
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SUPPLEMENTS THAT WE ARE PROUDLY ENDORSING:
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