As we age, most of us maintain our cardiovascular health through walking, biking, doing an aerobics class or engaging in another activity that gets our heart pumping and burns calories. But very few older women in San Jose continue or begin a strength training routine, because they believe it’s strictly about building muscle mass and tone, and not necessarily relevant to good health.

Strength training can have a large number of benefits to older San Jose women, that aren’t just about building muscle mass or creating a toned physique.

Benefits of Strength Training:

• Increases bone density
• Improves muscular strength and endurance
• Improves sensitivity to insulin, preventing diabetes
• Helps with cholesterol control by increasing HDL [good] cholesterol and decreasing LDL [bad] cholesterol
• Can improve emotional well-being
• Decreases intra-abdominal adipose tissue in healthy older women
• Helps to control potential fat gain and associated complications

Sources:
1. Suite101

image Source: pro.corbis.com

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents - 408-370-6360.