A proven strength training program for building muscle after 50 is to lift two or three days per week, doing 10 sets per muscle and week, with about 8–15 reps per set. Eat a healthy high-protein diet. A protein supplement can help you increase your protein intake if you don't get enough from your regular meals.
Muscle Building Diets for over 50s
Eating healthily with nutrition levels in mind is key to muscle growth at 50 years old. Achieving optimum levels of muscle mass should start with a diet that contains enough lean sources of protein to help your muscles to build and repair themselves after exercise.
The best way to do this is through cardio exercises and weight training. Cardio exercises such as walking, jogging or cycling are great for burning fat and building muscle. Weight training with weights will help strengthen your body, which is important if you are over 50 years old.
The National Strength and Conditioning Association recommends older adults perform strength training exercises 2 to 3 days a week.
However, as we age, we need to increase our protein intake. Around 50 years of age, we need to increase the protein in our diets to one gram per kilogram of our body weight to maintain muscle mass.
So you must include push-ups, pulls-ups, squats, shrugs, curls, triceps dips, deadlift, lunges, and chest press in your routine. All these exercises target multiple muscles in one go, and are some of the best moves when it comes to muscle gain. Repetitions and sets make a lot of difference.
You can build muscle at any age, but it's probably the most important way to get fit over fifty. Simply put, some form of strength and resistance training is essential as we age because stronger muscles = stronger bones = fewer injuries.
Resistance training, or weight training, can offer several benefits for women after menopause. One of the best things about resistance training is that it can help build and maintain muscle after menopause which is exactly what you will want to do as you are experiencing muscle mass loss.
Walking, jogging, swimming, and dance exercise are good ones to try. Aerobic exercise works the large muscles in your body, benefitting your cardiovascular system -- and your weight. Work up to getting 20 or more minutes per session, 3 or 4 days a week.
Get Adequate Vitamin D
Part of building muscle after 50 involves making sure the body has the nutrients it needs to good support muscle growth. One of these nutrients is vitamin D. Research indicates that having adequate levels of vitamin D helps improve muscle performance in older adults.
Most beginners will see noticeable muscle growth within eight weeks, while more experienced lifters will see changes in three to four weeks. Most individuals gain one to two pounds of lean muscle per month with the right strength training and nutrition plan.
Sources like fish, chicken breast, soy chunks, beans, nuts, seeds, lentils, eggs, and mushrooms can help build and repair the muscles. Sedentary women are required to consume 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. But to build muscle mass, consume 1.7-1.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
Resistance training is important for building muscle mass, which in turn helps burn fat more efficiently long-term. Bodyweight exercises such as squats, pushups, lunges, planks, and step-ups are great for toning up legs, arms, and core.
Eggs, yogurt and nuts or seeds are great sources of protein. Add vegetables. Greens may not be your go to breakfast option, but there are many ways to incorporate veggies into this meal. Try scrambled eggs with spinach and mushrooms or an omelet with bell peppers and onions.
Movements like squats, hip hinges, lunges, and pushups work larger groups of muscles while engaging your joints. They are particularly useful for people over the age of 50. Are you using weights or resistance bands? Try increasing the length of time that you perform an exercise or stretch the bands.
Yes, animal meat, poultry and fish are protein powerhouses. Dairy products (such as eggs, cheese and Greek yogurt), beans, legumes, nuts and seeds are also great sources. One essential amino acid in particular, leucine, stimulates muscle growth and prevents the deterioration of muscle as we age.