Weight Lifting Workout for Over 50 Year Olds

weight lifting for over 50 year olds

By Darvis Simms

If you are over the age of 50, weight lifting is one of the most important forms of exercise you can do to stay firm and fit. Weight lifting builds muscle, makes you stronger, and revs-up your metabolism.


As a personal trainer, I hear statement such as these a lot. “Every since I’ve turned 50 I’ve gained some extra weight that I can’t get rid of” or “my body is just not as firm as it use to be.” The major culprit of these conditions and a lot of other aliments associated with ageing is muscle loss.

Losing muscle is detrimental to your health and fitness because it is the component of your body that is active and burns the majority of the calories you consume. Even when you are resting your muscles are burning calories. So, when you lose muscle mass your metabolism decreases and those extra calories that are not being burned are stored as fat.

Exercise from 40 Onwards

Around the age of 40 you naturally start to lose muscle mass. You can lose as much as 10 to 15 pounds of muscle each decade beginning at age 40. Fortunately, you can stop and even reverse the process of muscle loss by weight lifting. Studies have shown that people in their 80s and 90s  gain muscle and strength when they start weight lifting.

Now that you are convinced about the importance of weight lifting, here’s one of my favorite beginner’s routines. Do the following routine regularly and I promise you will look and feel better in just a few weeks.

The Over 50 Workout

In this strength training program for over 50s, you will work all the major muscles in your body. This routine is designed for you to do every third day. For example do this program Monday, Thursday, and Sunday etc. Spacing out this routine is important to give your body a chance to recuperate between workout sessions. Weight lifting tears down muscle fibers, so your body needs the proper recovery time to rebuild those fibers stronger.


You should do each exercise for two sets of 10 repetitions with at least one minute but no more than two minutes between each set. For each  exercise select a resistance with which the last three repetitions are difficult to complete. Do this routine for two months, and then move on to the Intermediate Routine.

Warm-up and Stretching

Warming-up before you work out and stretching after you work out are two very important activities to include in your fitness program. A  proper warm-up reduces you chance of muscle strains and pulls during exercise, while stretching afterwards improves flexibility and lessens soreness.

Always warm-up before every work out session. This gets your muscles warm and ready to exercise. You can warm-up by doing at least five  minutes of any type of cardiovascular activity at a slow to moderate pace. After each workout always do some stretching.

Exercise 1. Lat Pulldown

over 50 weight trainer performing a lateral pulldownThe lat pulldown is a great exercise for strengthening and developing the upper back muscles that are critical for good posture. People whose shoulders are slumped forward most likely have underdeveloped upper back muscles.

First, sit down and adjust the thigh pad to a position that firmly fits over your thighs. Then select a resistance with which the last three  repetitions are difficult to complete. If this is your first time doing this exercise, it may take experimenting at several weights before you find the right resistance.

Next, grip the bar a little wider than shoulder width, sit down on the seat and place your knees firmly under the pad. Start with your arms fully extended and your chest held high. This is your start position. Now, pull the bar slowly down to the base of your neck while squeezing your shoulder blades back and together.


Slowly return the bar to the starting position. (It should take about three seconds to pull the bar down and about two seconds to return the bar to its starting position). Proper breathing is very important, so remember to exhale as you pull the bar down and inhale as you return the bar to the starting position.

Exercise # 2 – The Seated Row

over 50 weight trainer performing a seated rowThe seated row is also an exercise that targets the muscles of the upper back. I like to incorporate two movements for the upper back because these muscles are often neglected and weak in most clients that I see. Weak upper back muscles not only lead to posture problems, they also lead to neck and shoulder problems.

Place the pin in a resistance with which the last three repetitions are difficult to complete, again you may have to experiment to find the appropriate weight for you.

Sit on the bench, and place your feet on the foot rest. Lean forward, and grab the attachment. Slide back until your legs are almost fully extended and hold the attachment waist height with your arms fully extended.

This is your start position. Lift your chest high, and slowly pull your hands to your naval, while rolling your shoulders back and pinching your shoulder blades together.


Then, slowly return to the starting position. Your breathing pattern for this exercise is to exhale when you are pulling in and inhale when you are returning to the starting position.

Exercise # 3 – The Dumbbell Chest Press

over 50 weight trainer performing a dumbbell chest pressThe dumbbell chest press is one of the best dumbbell exercises for developing and strengthening your chest, and the front of your shoulders. Again, you will have to experiment to select the proper weight to use.

Pick-up a dumbbell in each hand, and sit on the end of a bench. Place the dumbbells end-up on your knees, then lie back on the bench and position the dumbbells chest height at your sides. This is your start position.

Press the dumbbells up over your chest until your arms are fully extended, being careful not to lock your elbows. Slowly return the dumbbells to the start position.

Your breathing pattern is to exhale as you press up and inhale as you return to the starting position.

Exercise # 4 – Lateral Dumbbell Raises

over 50 weight trainer performing dummbell lateral raisesThe lateral dumbbell raise develops and strengthens your shoulders. Start by holding a dumbbell in each hand in front of you.

Position your feet shoulder width apart, slightly bend your knees, and hold your chest high. This is your starting position.

Bend your elbows slightly and raise your hands out to your sides about shoulder height (with your palms facing down).

Then return to your starting position. Be careful to keep your forearm and your elbow at the same level at the finish of this movement. Your breathing pattern is to exhale as you raise your arms up and inhale as you return to start.

Exercise # 5 – Leg Press

over 50 weight trainer performing a leg pressesThe leg press is one of the best exercises for overall strength and development of your legs. First, sit in the seat, positioning your feet about shoulder width apart and chest high on the platform.

Adjust the seat height by pulling the handle and sliding forward until your thighs are parallel to the platform. This is your start position (make sure that your lower back is pressed firmly against the back of the seat).

With your feet flat, slowly press upward until your legs are fully extended but short of locking. Slowly return to the position where the weight almost touch the weight stack.

The breathing pattern for this exercise is to exhale as you press up and inhale as you return to the start. Again, you will have to experiment to find a weight with which the last three repetitions are difficult to perform.

Exercise # 6 – Step Ups

over 50 weight trainer performing a step upsStep ups are great for developing and shaping your butt and should be part of every over 50 gym workout.

With this exercise you will do 10 repetitions on one leg followed by 10 repetitions with the other. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and position yourself in front of a bench.

Place one foot flat on top of the bench, positioning your body to make a right angle at your knee.

With your chest held high and shoulders square step up through your heel and lightly tap the bench with your other foot before returning to the starting position.

Breathing pattern for this exercise is to exhale as you step up and inhale as you step back down.

Exercise # 7 – Rollups

over 50 weight trainer performing rollupsRollups shape and develop the back of your legs and calves.

Lay flat on your back, extend your legs and place a therapeutic ball under your heels. This is your starting position.

Lift your hips off the floor, and pull the ball toward your butt. Now, press through you heels and lift your hips as far as possible.

Then, slowly return to the starting position. Breathing pattern for this exercise is to exhale while rolling the ball towards you and to inhale while returning to the starting position.

Exercise # 8 – Seated Ball Twist

over 50 weight trainer performing a seated ball twistThe seated ball twist is a very good exercise for abdominal and lower back development and strength. Sit on the floor with a slight bend in your legs.

Hold a therapeutic ball (stability ball) with your arms fully extended in front of you. Lean back slightly, pick your chest up high and pull in your naval.

Now, turn your shoulders to one side, and touch the ball to the floor. Then turn to the other side, and do the same. A complete revolution counts as one repetition.

Be sure you arms stay extended throughout this exercise. Breathing pattern is to exhale as you touch the ball to the floor and inhale as you bring the ball across your body.

Workouts for 50 year olds are not all that different from standard workouts – the main difference is that exercises should be performed in a more controlled manner, with less plyometric and high intensity training. As we get older, our bodies take longer to repair, so minor injuries can set you back. Take it easy and be consistent.

This workout was provided by Darvis Simms @coachdrs, a personal trainer that specializes in helping over 40’s to get back in shape. He is also author of Forever Fit and Firm which is available on Amazon.com.

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