Osteoporosis, as we've discussed before, weakens bones and bone tissue, leaving those suffering from this condition especially susceptible to injury from falls. We're huge proponents of preventative physical therapy and if osteoporosis is a concern in your life then you should consider one-on-one personal training with a licensed physical therapist.
One of the surest ways to prevent the debilitating onset of this bone weakening condition is to maintain a strength training program. As you age your muscle mass naturally decreases, dropping as much as 55% by the time you hit 70. This drop in strength makes balance and standing, which you might take for granted now, a challenge as you age. The answer to this common problem is definitely in a regular weight training program so you don't suffer this extreme drop in muscle mass.
Before you set off to your local gym to sign up for a membership and chat with a personal trainer you'll want to consider a few things.
First of all, if you're interested in pursuing a weight training program specifically because of concerns you have about the onset of osteoporosis you'll want to be sure you're working with someone who specializes in this kind of training. While strength training in general is better than nothing, concentrated training programs will maximize your efforts (and your results) exponentially.
Remember this health goal is about more than looking great (that awesome muscle definition will just be a good perk) but your approach to this weight training regimen is geared to strategically strengthening your muscles around the hips and spine to combat the risk of injury from future falls. If you're already experiencing the onset of osteoporosis this will be especially important for you to consider as you approach a weight training program since you don't want to wind up in a situation that might do more harm than good.
For these reasons you should explore working with a physical therapist instead of a personal trainer. Not convinced? Check this article out for the three best reasons to choose a physical therapist over a personal trainer.