Gerardo Lambert, owner and trainer at BodyShock Studio in Westport, knows firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to start a strength training routine as you get older.

This June marked Gerardo’s 15th anniversary as a heart transplant recipient, the result of a genetic heart disorder. His life was disrupted for over five years.

In recovery, Gerardo rebuilt over 70 pounds of muscle mass and came back to his career with BodyShock — his HIIT & Strength Training class program.

A myth about strength training

In the 80s and 90s the aerobics craze set the stage as the hottest weight loss trend and everyone from Jane Fonda to Richard Simmons was there with enthusiastic beats and high-energy routines.

At the time, some women were under the impression that strength training was for men, and if you were looking for a slimmer profile, lifting weights wasn’t the answer.

But today that myth has been broken, with so many studies showing that building healthy muscle mass with strength and resistance training has many benefits for men and women of every age.

Women

For women, resistance training during pregnancy has shown results including reduced back pain, improved sleep cycles, lower risk of gestational diabetes, and an overall easier labor. Getting tone with 2-3 days of strength training a week also reduces the appearance of cellulite, aids the production of collagen, and lifts skin tighter against lean muscle. And if that wasn’t enough, increasing lean muscle mass increases the metabolism, which helps burn more fat and regulates estrogen levels.

Studies have found that strength training during menopause can reduce hot flashes by up to 50%!

Men

And for men, as testosterone levels decrease with age, research has proven that weight lifting is the best type of exercise to boost T levels in both the short and long term!

After age 35, we lose 3-8% of our muscle every decade. Muscle is lost far more easily than it’s built, so a consistent strength training routine is crucial to prevent sarcopenia. Strength and resistance training can help your body combat the physical effects of aging by preserving existing muscle mass and stimulating the growth of new muscle tissue, even beyond age 70. Improved strength and balance support the joints and reduce the risk of injuries from falls which increase with age. Bone density naturally decreases with age, but strength training stimulates bone tissue and helps prevent osteoporosis.

Getting started

Gerardo has been a personal trainer for over 25 years, and knows that getting started with a strength training routine as you age can be scary.

At BodyShock Studio, he has hand-picked his group of expert personal trainers for their character, skill, and years of experience in the fitness industry. But BodyShock isn’t just a class with a cult following. (Though if you come to the 9:30 AM class they might say differently!)

When you book a personal training session at BodyShock Studio, not only will you get the entire studio to yourself for an hour (or you can share it with a friend or a loved one if you prefer!), but you will be aligned with a coach who understands your needs best, and who will guide your fitness journey through all the obstacles life can throw at you!