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Strength Training After 40

Strength Training After 40 (1:17)

Over 40? Strength training is a smart anti-aging strategy. In this Health Smarts video, fitness expert Vonda Wright, MD, explains how strength training preserves muscle mass and boosts bone health to help prevent osteoporosis and keep you young.

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How important is strength training after 40? On a scale of 1 to 10, it's an 11. Hi, I'm Dr. Wright, pushing and pulling weight around is vital for fitness after 40, you lose 10% of your muscle mass between the ages of 25 and 50, and 45% more between 50 and 80, this loss of lean muscle leaves you vulnerable to falls, poor bone health, and an inability to do the things you love each day.

To hold off that muscle loss, you have to lift the load. There are always many other benefits to strength training as part of your exercise routine. Not only does it make you look great, but it keeps your bones strong, lowers your blood pressure and may reduce your risk of stroke, in addition, strength training helps your body burn more calories everyday.

Maintaining and building muscle is good for your metabolism, makes you strong, prevents falling, prevents injury and lifts your mood. What's not to love about that? So start pumping some iron, for more ways to stay strong, watch all our smart tips right here.