Why Everyone Needs to Strength Train
Perhaps you’ve heard of the idea of health span, or the number of years you stay healthy, active, and independent. Many older adults have come to realize that increasing lifespan, or how many years they live, is not as important as health span, because living longer is only meaningful if you can continue doing the things you love without limitations.
There are many wonderful ways to increase your health span. Nutrition, managing stress, and exercise top most lists. You may agree with me that yoga is a great way since it combines stress management, breathing and exercise. But you may not realize yoga alone may not be enough to lengthen your health span. You may need to add strength and/or resistance training.
As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass. Without strength training, this loss can lead to weakness, poor balance, and a higher risk of falls and injuries. The good news? You can rebuild muscle at any age!
Strength training offers benefits like:
✅ Stronger Muscles & Bones – Reduces the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. ✅ Better Balance & Coordination – Helps prevent falls, which is crucial as we get older. ✅ Increased Independence – Keeps you strong enough to carry groceries, get up from a chair, and enjoy daily activities. ✅ Boosted Metabolism – More muscle helps burn calories more efficiently. ✅ Improved Mental Health – Reduces stress, anxiety, and even symptoms of depression. ✅ Better Joint Health – Supports and protects joints, reducing stiffness and pain.
If you're over 60, incorporating strength training into your routine is one of the best ways to boost your health, confidence, and longevity. But if you’re new to it, getting started can feel overwhelming.
That’s why Valerie and I are integrating simple strength-building and resistance training into our upcoming yoga retreat this April. During the retreat, we’ll share practical strategies for starting a strength routine, demonstrate beginner-friendly exercises you can do at home, and provide yoga sequences to help you unwind after workouts
But don’t worry, the retreat won't be all work! We've built in plenty of leisure time so you can play on the beach, sightsee, or simply relax. Please consider joining us in the Outer Banks from April 4 - 7.