Willie Murphy of Rochester, NY is no stranger to the YMCA. At 82, she’s an award winning bodybuilder who, for the record, can deadlift 225lbs.
If you haven’t heard the news yet, Ms. Willie Murphy found herself in a dangerous situation when a young man broke into her home. What he didn’t know is exactly whose home he was breaking into.
"I took that table and I went to working on him," she told WHAM-TV. "... I'm alone and I'm old, but guess what? I'm tough."
Full Story:Bodybuilder, 82, fights break-in suspect
Seniors and Strength Training
When it comes to strength training, the USDA suggests at least two sessions a week, making sure to hit all the major muscle groups. Strength training can improve one’s quality of life as well as building strength.
As we age, our bodies change. Exercises that include strength training help our bodies to slow down and minimize these changes.
Some benefits of strength training include:
1. Preventing Bone Fractures
- As we get older, we experience loss of bone density. Strength training and aerobic exercises with the use of light weights can increase density, therefore reducing the risk of breaks.
2. Strength Training Increases Muscle Mass
3. Improving Functional Movement
- Developing strength via training also assists in functional movements; whether it be picking something or putting something down. Strength training can help with your balance, aerobic capacity, etc. in turn making things less strenuous on the body and activities more enjoyable.
4. Better Body Composition
5. Benefits Mental Health
- An increase in strength leads to an increase in mobility and function. This improvement in strength, movement, and function boosts overall health, mood and quality of life.