Tag: barbell training

As everyone gets older the common advice from medical professionals is to “take it easy”, “don’t do what you used to”, and “be careful, wouldn’t want to throw out your back.” But what are the benefits powerlifting can offer to the aging population? A grandmother from Iowa recently has found confidence and strength through her pursuit of barbell training.

Watch Jeanna Becker tell her story.

How can older athletes benefit from Powerlifting?

Lifting heavy weight has been seen as dangerous and unnecessary, especially for those who are elderly. But, there are many examples of older people training in a powerlifting style and even competing with tremendous results.

Strength is important in everyday life. It is even more important as you age. Powerlifting offers a unique opportunity to those who otherwise could not perform traditional sports. Since strength training is low impact and has lower injury rates when compared to contact sports, it makes perfect sense for an aging population.

The physiological and psychological benefits of powerlifting cannot be overlooked as well.

An elderly woman or man who could continue to maintain their strength well into their life greatly expands their quality of life. This means more time with grandkids, more trips across the world in retirement, and all the other benefits that can come with maintaining a strong body and mind.

While it is important to start strength training as early as you can, a late start is better than none at all. Signing up for a competition can be a great way to get you started into a habit of training and building your body. The USAPL hosts meets where an older person can sign up to compete in the masters division.

This division allows other masters athletes to strive for their own personal records in a specific category.

But should older people train heavy?

There still is quite the debate in the general population about if older individuals should be training at this level and intensity. To be safely prepared for barbell training you need to know the basics of how to lift.

How to squat to depth with excellent form so that injuries can be minimized and benefits can be maximized. Sometimes a certain lift might not work for a particular older athlete. Some improvising and altering might be needed to keep them training.

Regardless of any individual opinions there is plenty of sound evidence that can be presented as to why older people should powerlift. With the popularity of other barbell sports like CrossFit increasing their are a variety of ways people can get into strength training.

Click on this poll to voice your view on powerlifting in the aging population.

Comment below any of your thoughts or other topics that you would be interested in hearing about.

Lastly, check out this video from Starting Strength on this mans journey starting training in his 60’s.