What it Feels Like to Start Getting Stronger at Age 60

I’ve been working out with a personal trainer for almost two months and I am definitely feeling stronger. At age 60, I’m all about improving how my body feels and what it can do, so this is a really positive development!

One of the best things we can do to age well is to exercise. I play a lot of tennis and walk daily, but I’ve known for a long time I needed to start strength training. It’s so important to bone density, muscle mass, balance and mobility. I made several attempts (documented here and here), but was never able to sustain a program on my own.

My friend Sally recommended her trainer Nick (not to be confused with my son Nick), and I’ve been working out with him every Thursday since the beginning of the year. I do a mid-week workout on my own too. I really did not like it at first. The exercises felt boring, pointless and painful. I whined and complained and thought about quitting after every workout. Thankfully, I hung in there and Nick did too. Now I’ve begun to notice some changes. Here’s how it feels to start getting stronger.

1. I have better stability and balance. I feel more centered and solidly placed on the ground. It’s a feeling of being more present, more connected, more here. I’m a sturdy woman, owning my space.
2. I have more confidence in my body. I feel a new sense of assuredness and appreciation for my capabilities. Yes, I can carry those groceries from the car in one trip. Sure, I can lift my heavy carry-on bag to the upper bin. Yep, I can climb six flights of stairs when the elevator is broken.
3. I’m more mindful of how I move. Since starting strength training, I have a greater awareness of my body parts and how they contribute to movement. When I reach, lift, lunge, climb and run, I can tell which muscles I’m using, because I’ve been focusing on them in the gym. Hello quads, hi there triceps. It’s a new way of appreciating my body and I like it.
4. I’m more willing to push through pain. Strength training has an element of discomfort that I was honestly afraid of. Burning muscles, exhaustion and soreness are required to build muscle. It took a while, but I’m more accepting of the pain now because I know I can get through it and it means I’m making progress. It feels good to challenge myself!
5. I’m a little firmer. I don’t see huge changes in how I look but I have noticed my legs are more solid and defined. Improving my appearance is not my primary goal, but I’ll take it!

Two months isn’t that long, but I can already see how the beginning benefits of strength training improve my life beyond the gym. I’m proud of myself for sticking with something new and hard. I see myself as a more capable person. And I like developing new skills because it’s fun and makes me feel like there are lots of possibilities ahead. I wonder how I’ll feel in another two months?

Making a specific time commitment to work out has been a game changer. Nick keeps me accountable. Every Thursday at 2pm, I’m in the gym. And I discovered I’m much less sore if I add a second workout during the week, so avoiding pain gives me the motivation to work out on my own.

Hiring a personal trainer can be expensive, but there are other options. You could split the cost with a like-minded friend or choose a class or video you’ll both do at the same time each week. Just making the appointment makes it happen! And honestly, what better way to spend your money than investing in your long term health?

If you’ve got a strength workout program that works for you, I’d love to hear about it.