Need Input on Strength Training for an Older Woman

Check out the New Rules of Lifting for Women book. Stage 1 of the program is a good introduction for a beginner of any age. Also, the author is releasing the New Rules of Lifting for Life (comes out next week, I think), which is specifically geared for an older audience.

I bought this book last week and just finished reading it.
I too plan on starting to lift the first week of May but its been years since i really followed any kind of a lifting program and have been consistent at all.....I mean years (guessing 10!!!)
I plan on following the book but I have to tell you......I also read Younger Next Year for Woman about a month or two ago and although the book recommends lifting.....he suggests starting out slow!!!!
Yet NROLW suggests digging in!!!!
So Im a little nervous because I wanted to just jump right in but the author of the book YNYFW says that our joints and ligaments need time to catch up to our muscles lol
That were not in our 20's or 30's anymore and some of us not even in our 40's!!!
He says we need to get there but as long as were there "next year".....all improvements along the way will make you healthier anyway and you'll prevent injury.......which is what takes most people out and scares them from returning.
So Im not quite sure what route Im going yet but Im definitely starting April30th.

Let me know if you find out more info....
I'm surprised you didn't get anymore answers on this post!!!

Michele

Spell corrector strikes again... Dead Lifts, not deadliest!

I'm 54 and I'm also doing the NROLFW. While I'm not an absolute beginner to working with weights, I'd never done progressive, heavy lifting like this before. I'm pleased to say I'm having no problems at all with it - I don't even get much muscle soreness on the following days. And I can see my shape changing quite quickly, which is exactly what I was hoping for. I'm now on about week 12.

Please add me as a friend if you like, and come and look around the group pages too.

Check out the New Rules of Lifting for Women book. Stage 1 of the program is a good introduction for a beginner of any age. Also, the author is releasing the New Rules of Lifting for Life (comes out next week, I think), which is specifically geared for an older audience.

Thanks so much!

It is a good source, I have been spot reading it, and working with weights seriously since about November. I started with 3 and 5 lb and worked up. At that level it did not take long to work up to 10 and 15lb dumbbells. I am now working with 20 lb (e.g. 40 lb deadlift). With my arthritis, I am a bit nervous of trying too much too soon, but can now do 20 pushups. Just research and keep at it, it works wonders!!!!!!

dont be afraid of heavy lifting.

check out this lady http://ernestineshepherd.net/

I purchased Chalene Extreme videos from Beachbody.com; one of the women in the videos was 60. Additionally, the way it's phased, you start out with lighter weights, then every 30 days you change your routine and the weight you're lifting. I found that it didn't take long before I was looking forward to my workouts and the strength training is only 30 minutes. There's no jumping around, no loud music, just a really good workout and a really great instructor. If I can believe my health meter, I burn approximately 500 calories in those grand total 36 minute (including warm up) work out. Best of luck to you.

I was going to mention this as well - the 60 year old lady in the workouts is using the resistance bands, not the weights, but that's just to show people how to use them correctly if that's all the have available. The program is focused on lifting as heavy as you are able for 10-12 reps, you judge the weights based on your own abilities and adjust as needed.

There is no jumping around in the weightlifting workouts (3 times per week) but if you follow the schedule there are 2 days of cardio per week. They jump around in those but there is always a 'beginner' person showing you how to modify everything to be low-impact.