Think you’re too old to start exercising? Actually, fitness is very important as you age. Improving your fitness level can slow age-related decline in strength and motor skills. Ignoring it leaves you vulnerable and at risk of losing your independence and ability to care for yourself.

Strength is a crucial component to quality of life. Without it, the most basic tasks become difficult or even impossible. Muscle atrophy and lack of forceful contraction both play a major role in aging and loss of function.

Fortunately, numerous studies have shown that weight training can significantly reduce these risks. You don’t have to feel old as you grow older! Just remember, if you don’t use it, you lose it.

To fight muscle atrophy at any age, you have to lift weights; aerobic exercise won’t combat muscle wasting. The benefits of strength training include improved walking speed; the ability to easily rise from a chair, climb stairs and carry out simple household tasks; and decreased frequency of falls.

It doesn’t matter how old you are – it’s never too late to rebuild muscle strength!