Strength Training Past 50: (Ageless Athlete) [Paperback]

Wayne L. Westcott (Author), Mark Williams (Author), Thomas R. Baechle (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ageless Athlete | Publication Date: January 1998

Research clearly shows that strength training is especially effective for older adults. Strength Training Past 50 explains and shows the most effective way for mature adults to work their muscles by presenting specific strength tests; 9 safety essentials; 39 age-appropriate exercises; a 10-week workout plan; and personalized programs for increasing muscle size, strength, and endurance. Two world-renowned experts, Wayne Westcott and Tom Baechle, team up to present strength exercise information and prescriptions tailored to the needs of anyone over 50 years of age.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Strength training is an equal-opportunity exercise system; studies show that anyone who tries it can benefit. Muscle loss is inevitable through the years if you're sedentary. But no matter how old you are when you start, strength training has nearly immediate benefits: more muscle mass, more strength, less fat. This book gives older exercisers all the information they need to get started, including advice on testing for strength and how to pick a qualified personal trainer.

Review

""Wayne Westcott's and Thomas Baechle's advice is cutting edge, medically sound, and is the key to staying active and feeling healthy long after you've turned 50. It is just what this doctor ordered,""
Nicholas A. DiNubile, MD
- Orthopaedic Consultant to the Philadelphia 76ers and Pennsylvania Ballet
- Author of "FrameWork" and Executive Producer and star of PBS special, Your Body's FrameWork
"Dr. Wayne Westcott has, once again, outdone himself, presenting in an easily understandable style the principles of safe and effective strength training for seniors. The importance of this aspect of fitness training for the older population cannot be overstated. Improving health, strength, and fitness while enhancing function and avoiding unnecessary injuries through strength training are particularly important in this age group. We once again applaud the latest effort by Dr. Westcott, one of the leading authorities on strength and fitness,"
Lyle J. Micheli, MD
Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School
O'Donnell Family Professor of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
Director, Division of Sports Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880117168
• ISBN-13: 978-0880117166
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #879,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Exercise

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

298 of 301 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seniors with waning strength will reap big health benefits., December 17, 1998

By 

Terence B. Sutherland (Chipley, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strength Training Past 50: (Ageless Athlete) (Paperback)

At 67 I had developed upper back pain associated with spinal arthritis. Upon the advice of a reviewer, I ordered the book, bought some free weights, and immediately began training to strengthen the muscles that support my spinal column. After a month of carefully following the recommended workout schedule, I found myself completely pain free. Although the results are proof of the pudding, I was particularly impressed with the authors' emphasis on safety and their guidance on how to find your point of beginning and to progress without injury.

The photos and descriptions of individual exercises were essential in making sure that the exercises were done correctly and to the greatest benefit.

In my opinion the price of the book is a gift compared to the feeling of well being derived from carefully following the given plan, which, by the way, is adaptable to each individual's capabilities and needs.

156 of 159 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book! Gives the information (and motivation) you need., July 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Strength Training Past 50: (Ageless Athlete) (Paperback)

"Strength Training Past 50" provides the information you need to get started with a strength training program, including -

* Reasons why you should strength train (this section is a great motivator).

* What equipment to buy (if you're doing it a home).

* Which exercises to perform. (This is the largest section. It has a two-page spread format: on the left, instructions for performing the exercises, on the right, photos of ordinary-looking people doing the exercises. It includes techniques using both free weights and machines.)

* Building an effective program. (This section answered one of my questions: how to determine when to increase weights and how to do it.)

You can read this book in one sitting. (I skipped the "eating for strength" chapter.)

The photos show people using fancy Nautilus machines, which are a far cry from the equipment I use at my down-at-the-heels gym. Unless you have access to the machines pictured, you'll probabl! y need someone at your gym to show you comparable equipment and exercises to do.

All in all a good reference book for strength training. I recommend it. (I'm 62.)

214 of 223 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What if you have lifted before?, March 30, 2000

By 

Paul T Fuhrman (Woodbridge, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strength Training Past 50: (Ageless Athlete) (Paperback)

Strength Training Past 50 is a very good book and anyone past 50 who has an interest in fitness or has been directed by a physician to lose weight should read the book. The program in the book must be carefully followed, particularly the weight and repitition recommendations. This program was designed for a very broad age range and a broad range of physical fitness levels typically found in adults past 50. It's strength is that it is an excellent introduction to resistance training for those who have not lifted or have not lifted for a significant period of time. If you are 50 or older, male or female, and not an experienced lifter, you may expect to lose weight, gain muscle mass, energy, and a positive self image by following the program in this book.