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Men and women born between 1946 and 1964 called the baby boomer generation number 80 million in the US alone. They are now fifty or sixty something and in their droves are fronting up to gyms and fitness centers around the world to get started on a strength training exercise program as they have heard it will help keep them youthful. In the past many people have relied on cardio type activity to be fit. But it has been found through research that these types of recreational activity (walking, jogging or cycling) do not have the youth enhancing and body transforming effects of strength training exercise. It is no wonder the baby boomers are showing strong interest in this special type of exercise as it directly counters the most visible and negative age related problems such as muscle tissue loss, muscle weakness, bone thinning, joint disease, decreased coordination, hunched over posture, increased risk of disease and loss of energy and vitality. Strength training makes age related weakness and frailty a thing of the past. Some may remember the Tufts University research that found unexpected results from a study performed with people in their 50s and 60s. After one year of a simple strength training program, the subjects developed lean muscle mass, strength, balance, coordination and cardio-vascular fitness comparable to people in their 30s and early 40s.
Comparable results were not found with any type of recreational, repetitive, low intensity 'cardio' activity. Prior to this research, weakness and frailty causing loss of independence was thought to be an inevitable part of getting old. But we now know you do not have to lose your strength or muscle tone just because you are getting older. As long as you continue working your muscles, they will continue working for you, by keeping you strong, fit, healthy and independent. Strength training fits well with the baby boomer people as they have no intention of 'slowing down'and 'taking it easy' in their senior years. They have watched their parents and grandparents suffer and lose their independence and have no wish to end up like them spending a good chunk of their life having to have others take care of them in nursing home and the like. They intend to remain active, involved and vibrant right through their entire lifespan. If strength training exercise can help them achieve this then so be it. It has been well proven that having more energy and endurance by being fitter and stronger enables an active lifestyle to easily be maintained. As the baby boomer generation enters the last third of their lives they will not be sitting on a chair watching life go by. They can now meet life's challenges head on, becoming stronger and more powerful through strength training. In addition to enhancing their own health and quality of life, boomers have the chance to help the next generation by setting an example of a new, active and positive view of the aging lifestyle.
Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "I've Found the Fountain of Youth- Let Me Show You Too!" here: Physical Wellness For Free Fitness Report here Fitness Weight Loss Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger.
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