Over the years, I have served as head strength and performance coach for several teams and agencies.
I have also worked with individual athletes in sports including football, basketball, tennis, horseback riding, baseball, martial arts, track and gymnastics.
I’ve seen first hand how strength training enhances athletic performance.
I really enjoy working with athletes, but have found the same progress can be made by people doing everyday activities.
With proper strategy, people can get remarkably stronger at any age. It doesn’t matter if you’re 12 or 92, you can still make progress. Let me give you an example.
A few years ago, I had a lady come to me who was in her mid 80s. She had never worked out before, but I assured her I would teach her everything she needed to know. She stuck with it and worked hard.
One day she came in with a big smile on her face. I asked her what she was so happy about. To my surprise she told me that she could finally put her dishes up on the top shelf of her kitchen cabinets, and had not had the strength to do that in years.
I’d never thought about things like that before.
That was the first time I truly realized just how many aspects of our lives are affected by our strength, or lack of it.
When weight training, it’s important to stick with it. Remember, in the weight room, consistency is even more important than effort. Weight training is beneficial for people of all ages. It’s been shown to not just turn the clock back for our muscles, but for our whole bodies.
In addition, weight training is crucial when trying to lose body fat, because it raises metabolism. Lifting weights properly is a great way to build bone density. It’s also great to help create better balance.
If you are going to begin a weight training program, I commend you get instruction from an experienced trainer. This will not only help keep you safe, but accelerate your progress.
Whether you’re a man or woman, weight training can change your life for the better. Learning to do weight training is a step-by-step process.
Anyone at any age can learn, but remember, be consistent and learn proper technique. You’ll   be healthier and stronger for it.
Diet or exercise question? Contact me at dwcrocker77@gmail.com, or visit fitness4yourlife.org.

David Crocker of Landrum has been a nutritionist for 24 years. He served as strength director of the Spartanburg Y.M.C.A., head strength coach for the S.C. State champion girls gymnastic team, USC-Spartanburg baseball team, and the Converse college equestrian team. He served as lead trainer to L.H. Fields modeling agency, taught four semesters at USC-Union, and was a regular guest of the Pam Stone radio show.