When you think about exercise for heart health, you might think of walking, running or swimming first. But lifting weights should be on that list, too. A major study published this year in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that women who regularly performed strength training had a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Bob Wittig is 92 years old. He works out three times a week, mows his own lawn and enjoys playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And he didn’t start lifting weights until he was 61. Wittig has been working out consistently for 31 years. His 60- to 90-minute sessions cover his entire body, from legs
Breast cancer treatment left Debbie Mendoza so exhausted that cleaning the kitchen could wear her out. The retired teacher wanted to be active again but wondered how she could exercise without any energy. She began with two minutes of movement a day through MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Active Living After Cancer program. Two minutes gradually
Stress is part of life. Work, family, finances, health concerns and even the daily news can keep your mind and body wound up. And chronic stress can affect sleep, digestion, blood pressure, mood and the immune system. Fortunately, exercise is one of the best ways to manage it. Here’s why. It boosts your mood. Physical
Maybe you used to run, but your knees don’t like it anymore. Maybe you played tennis for years until your shoulder started complaining. Or maybe exercise was never a big part of your life in the first place. Regardless, getting older doesn’t mean your physical world has to keep getting smaller. Are you ready for
Barry ran his first marathon at 49 and recently registered for his 10th. But about two years ago, a hospitalization forced him to make serious health changes. He joined a gym not long after that, working out three days a week. Now 65, he recently hit his 100th workout. He’d tried strength training before but
For years, women were told to grit their teeth and endure menopause. Hot flashes. Sleepless nights. Weight gain. “You just need to tough it out” ranked on The New York Times list of 10 persistent myths about the topic. But now, doctors, researchers and fitness professionals are talking more openly about what menopause does to
If you’re worried that exercise will hurt your joints, here’s some good news: the right kind of strength training is one of the best things you can do for them. It sounds backwards, right? If your joints ache, you might naturally think to protect them by moving less. But the opposite is best: motion is
Most people don’t lift weights, especially later in life when they need it most. After 50, it’s crucial if you want to stay strong, healthy and independent throughout life. Here are just seven reasons why mature adults should practice resistance training on a regular basis. It slows age-related muscle loss and increases muscle mass and quality. We
With Memorial Day behind us, summer is unofficially here! That means longer days, warmer weather, vacations, backyard cookouts, and more opportunities to get outside and enjoy life. It’s also a great reminder of why fitness matters so much after 50. Being strong, flexible, and active is not just about looking good in summer clothes. It’s