Strength Training After 40

Strength training is an integral part of any fitness program but may even be more important for women in their 40's. As women age, the way they carry their weight tends to change; they begin carrying more weight in the trunks of their bodies like men do, as opposed to in their hips and thighs, as younger women tend to. Researchers believe that this shift, along with other factors such as the loss of heart-protecting estrogen, increases a woman's likelihood of developing heart disease and diabetes. Strength training can help stabilize your weight and keep your body fat levels low to mitigate the negative effects of this natural redistribution of body fat. As a bonus, new research suggests that weight training may help older people sleep better.