Strength

I hate to admit this, but I have been a dues paying gym member for probably twenty five years. I know people say it is a poor financial decision, but I find a lot of value in it. My first home gym was Gold’s Gym. Twenty years ago, I worked out there all of the time as I was a bachelor without much else to do. I would go most nights of the week and Saturday mornings. It didn’t take long at that age to shed a lot of fat and put on muscle, and after the results I got I was kind of bit by the fitness bug. I kept my subscription to that location while they transitioned into LA Fitness, then eventually left to join Better Bodies just as a change-up. Eventually I found my commute extended by about 30 minutes so I went back to LA Fitness because their gym locations were more convenient. After a staph infection I received from one location, I took a break from that brand and looked elsewhere. Today I am completely blessed with an amazing private gym (Bodyshape) that is minutes from my house, I also have access to Northern Kentucky University’s Rec Center because I am a student there, which rounds out my need for variety.

There are many reasons to focus on strength training. First off, it can offer relaxation. I find it calming to put on noise cancelling headphones and just lift weights. There is something about the repetition and the pump. I like reading about it and learning new movements. My favorite to learn from? Arnold Schwarzenegger. I’ve read several of his books and my lifting is deeply influenced by his advice. He is also the only celebrity I’d want to meet, and that includes all actors, musicians, athletes, and influencers.

Secondly, it seems to cure aches and pains. Yes, it can cause discomfort when you over do it, but there are for sure reductions in maladies that I have experienced. For example, I noticed I was waking up with really tight tendons in my feet. I would need to walk gingerly around the house until they loosened up. When I started focusing on strength training in my legs and ankles that went completely away. I also used to easily tweak my lower back, with core training I rarely experience that anymore.

Finally, the only downside to weight lifting is how you need to eat right to get results. The older you get, the more protein you need to consume, and that means bulking to put on muscle. As you get older “the cut,” which is the process to keep muscle while shedding fat, gets even more difficult. I want to talk about nutrition in this series about aging strategy, but to finish this thought off it is probably the hardest component you will need to get your hands around if you take on strength training into your regiment.

Let’s talk about walking next…