Gym Accessories for People over 40
Once you’ve reached a certain age, many think that the ship has sailed for working out and that there isn’t much that can be done to fight aging. Nothing could be further from the truth. With these gym accessories for people over 40, you will be able to keep working out without any issues.
Although you should take precautions as needed for your age, there’s no reason to stop once you have reached forty. In fact, even if it’s not common, many elite athletes keep practicing sports for years after.
Keeping this in mind, turning 40 is not an excuse to stop exercising. You simply need to keep your limits in mind to test your boundaries, and use these gym accessories for people over 40.
Gym accessories for people over 40
1. Dumbbells
You do not have to go to extremes every time you use dumbbells. They don’t all weigh 20+ pounds. There are different sizes and shapes, each with varying ways to use them.
Most people over 40 can do many exercises with dumbbells, such as:
- Bench press
- Chest flies
- Bicep curls
- Rowing
- Bench pullover
- Raises – lateral, front, alternating, simultaneous
- Shoulder press
There are many other options and they also depend on a trainer’s ingenuity. As you can see, dumbbells are one example of the excellent gym accessories available for people over 40.
2. Elastic bands
Elastic bands have two obvious benefits. First, there’s practically no risk of injury from using them. There’s no impact from using them, and they are not heavy or difficult to handle.
Another advantage is that their resistance can be adjusted according to your pace and abilities. There are almost no limits to which muscles you can train. You can target your legs, chest, arms, and shoulders with them.
3. TRX bands
TRX bands are an alternative to the previous option. Although they are also elastic bands, they are mounted to a fixed item, such as a bar, post, or column.
This means your exercises can vary a little more. Generally, they’re more difficult than those done with elastic bands. That’s because TRX bands also require balance and stability. These two elements are crucial because you tend to lose this with age, especially if you do not exercise a lot.
4. Kettlebells
Kettlebells are a classic CrossFit accessory. However, they’re also one of the gym accessories for people over 40 that we’ve included in our list.
You can use kettlebells to target many muscles. For example, you can do deadlifts, the classic CrossFit swing, Russian twists, squats, lunges, and many more.
5. Medicine ball
Medicine balls feature many of the characteristics that we have mentioned for previous accessories. First and foremost, it’s a simple tool that can be used for many muscle groups.
What’s more, the risk of injury is incredibly low. Since medicine balls come in different weights, you can adjust the difficulty of the exercises according to your needs.
Tips for working out after 40
While it’s nice to know about the benefits of these gym accessories for people over 40, it’s also good to keep certain things in mind. The following tips are especially important for those who haven’t exercised much lately.
- Start gradually with the basics.
- Don’t overwork your body. It’s better to work slowly, but surely.
- Rest as much as needed. Recovering will take longer than it did 10 years ago; give yourself time.
- Eat well. Now more than ever, your body needs nutrients to stay active, healthy, and lighter.
- Avoid unhealthy habits. Your body’s ability to withstand alcohol, tobacco, and fat from junk food won’t be the same as when you were a teenager. Therefore, it’s important to avoid abusing them.
Besides the invaluable exercises you can do, your health at this age, is closely tied to taking precautions and taking care of your body. Finally, take care of your mental and emotional well-being to really round out your health.