Kicking Butt After 50: Research Supports Strength Training for Boomers

Jan. 26, 2012 - PRLog -- It is well documented that weight training can increase bone mass, lowering the risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures. But for aging Boomers, how much difference can weight and aerobic training make in changing the body and staying fit? According to Grant Davis, a Westlake Village, Calif. certified personal trainer, nutrition coach and creator of the GMethod®, it radically can improve body composition by building muscle making bones stronger and reducing depression.

"Countless studies have been performed on the benefits of strength and resistance training for all age groups," said Davis. What is interesting is that today, respected groups like The American College of Sports Medicine recognize that resistance training is an important adjunct to cardiovascular training and have published guidelines specific to weight training for people over 50."

Davis, age 60 should know. For years a recreational fitness and strength training athlete, Davis turned his avocation into a vocation and earned his certification in personal training and nutrition coaching in 2010. He decided to  train for the Reebok CrossFit Games, known as one the most advanced athletic competitions in the world and competed in 2010 and 2011 for "Fittest in the World." In 2011, Davis was ranked 21st in the world in the Master's Division.

"Most people in their 50s and beyond understand the need for regular aerobic exercise to strengthen their heart as they try to keep middle-age fat gain at bay, but this kind of exercise alone only forestalls the inevitable," Davis points out. "According to the ACSM, strength training adds more weight to the skeleton by building muscle; this stimulates the bones to strengthen and grow to bear the heavier load on the muscles."

Today, Davis trains many clients over 50 incorporating a training regimen he developed called the GMethod™, which integrates strength, aerobic and resistance training, HIIT (high intensity interval training), nutrition counseling and natural supplementation. The program is scalable to a wide range of fitness levels, but is targeted to the needs of Boomers. For more information or a copy of the ACSM guidelines, call (805) 857-2431, or email Grant at grantdavis@gmethodtraining.com.