"Strength, health and fitness after 50"

By Donald Crain

The positive approach.

1. The bible says in Psalm 139:14 "we are fearfully and wonderfully made ".
2. All the cells in the body except some in the bones are renewed regularly and are less than 6 months old.
3. A muscular, low-fat body indicates an inner circulatory , respiratory, eliminatory system that has been fined tuned.
4. Strength and health are possible at any age.
5. Be realistic - fat is ugly and dangerous. External fat is evidence of internal fat slowing down all the functions of the body.

Threats against the above.

1. Body wearing out, (although it will rust out long before it wears out).
2. Too busy.
3. Too old.
4. Too tired.
5. Too lazy.
6. Don't believe it's possible.
7. Too much work to stay in shape.

Physical fitness at any age.

There are four keys to unlock the physical possibilities within you.

1. Regular, vigorous, heavy exercise.
2. Proper nutrition.
3. A tranquil mind.
4. A positive mental attitude.

You can build muscle size and strength at any age. I have done it and am now doing it at the age of 72. There are thousands of people worldwide who are maintaining and even improving on an excellent health and fitness level. Many are still increasing their muscle size and strength and endurance level. However, the training methods used have to be constantly modified as you grow older. Organic health is a direct byproduct of heavy exercise. The function of every bodily process is improved as the external muscles are toned enlarged and strengthened by gradually increasing the exercise workload. The combination of heavier weights, sets and reps works its magic on your internal health as it does on your external appearance and functional capabilities.

The best way to increase your physical capabilities (strength, muscularity, endurance, speed) after the age of 50 is by weight training. If you have already been doing this for many years, don't stop after fifty. The years your body needs heavy exercise the most are after fifty.

There are two groups out there, reading this. The first group has been training with resistance exercise for a number of years, and now after 50 they are considering tapering off by changing the type of exercise they do, or quitting altogether.

1. To those considering reducing the heavy weight training to a much lighter form of exercise, and thus assuming that cardiovascular work is all they need -consider this. Heavy exercise increases bone density and thus more protection against fractures. Keeping your muscles, tendons, ligaments and vertebra strong is the best protection against injuries as you age. Gradually getting weaker is a sure road to faster aging and ultimately, failure of all body functions . external and internal.

2. To those considering quitting weight training, there are two things you should consider before making a decision. (1) If you take an annual physical and show no health problems, then you can only make one intelligent decision. To stay that way for a long time, you need to keep on with vigorous weight training. (2) If you have some health problems that have appeared, then you must get medical help, and subject to their correction and your Drs. approval, gradually resume your weight training. The best form of health insurance for a lifetime is to maintain regular, heavy, weight training.

These articles will continue regularly and will elaborate on the four keys to super health after the age of 50.


Donald N. Crain
The positive approach.

We proudly accept

Orders can be placed by mail, e-mail, phone or fax

Subscribe to the Crain's Muscle World, Limited free weekly newsletter, "POWERMAG.ORG"

Full of information on powerlifting, strength training, nutrition, and lifting products
*Please note: Hotmail and WebTV users may experience problems receiving the newsletter

---