Humans have been doing strength training since the dawn of time—we just didn't call it that. Lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying heavy loads, and using your own body weight against resistance are all forms of strength training.

But it’s only in the last few decades that science has revealed just how powerful strength training (also called resistance training) really is for long-term health. Many of the issues we associate with getting older, like slow metabolism and loss of strength and balance, can be improved with strength training.

Ahead, we’ll look at weight training anti-aging benefits and how regular resistance training with lifting grips and wrist wraps can help you stay active and fit for years to come.

What the Science Says

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has been studying the effects of strength training for more than 40 years. Here’s what their research has found:

Maintaining muscle mass is a game of “use it or lose it.” 

NIA-supported research has shown that one of the main causes of age-related decline is the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, a condition known as sarcopenia. Research shows that muscle mass peaks in your 30s, then slowly declines, with a sharper drop after age 65 for women and 70 for men. But consistent strength training can slow this decline.

Regular strength training can help you stay independent.

Around 30% of adults over age 70 struggle with basic movements such as climbing stairs or standing from a chair. A decline in mobility can put you at a higher risk of falls, chronic disease, and loss of independence. Strength training can change this trajectory. Older adults who perform regular exercise—including strength training—remain independent longer.

Strength training does more than build muscle.

Resistance training not only builds visible muscle but also triggers molecular and metabolic changes that improve how your body uses energy. When you lift weights or use resistance bands, your muscle cells activate complex chemical reactions that improve sugar and fat metabolism and enhance long-term muscle function. Even lower-intensity routines can have lasting positive effects.

Everyone responds differently to exercise.

Not everyone’s body reacts the same way to strength training, and genetic and environmental factors come into play. Some people gain muscle easily, while others find it harder to build and maintain muscle mass. Finding the best exercises to slow aging for your body may require some trial and error. Work with a trainer or fitness expert to find a plan that works for you.

The NIA’s decades of research confirm what many fitness experts have long observed: strength training is one of the most powerful tools for living better and longer. Whether you’re in your 40s or your 80s, it’s never too late to start. Every rep, squat, or lift is an investment in your strength and vitality.

Benefits of Strength Training

Resistance training can help you stay healthier, leaner, and more resilient as you age. Here are some of the benefits:

• Bigger, stronger muscles that protect your joints and keep your body moving with ease
• Fat loss and a faster metabolism, even at rest
• Reduced risk of diabetes thanks to improved insulin sensitivity and better blood sugar control
• Better cognitive function from increased blood flow and the release of brain-supporting hormones
• Stronger bones that resist fractures and maintain stability
• Lower blood pressure, which reduces strain on your heart and lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease

Resistance training can help you live not just longer, but better.

Tips for Starting Resistance Training

Resistance training means working your muscles against a force. That can be weightlifting with free weights or machines, using medicine balls or resistance bands, or doing body weight-bearing exercises like planks, squats, or yoga.
In short, resistance training makes your muscles contract to lift a heavy object—like a dumbbell or your own body weight—against the pull of gravity. Here are some tips for getting started:

• Start with weight machines if you’re new to strength training. They guide your movement and help you learn proper form while reducing injury risk.
• Add in free weights over time to build stability and strength through a greater range of motion.
• Use aids for safety and form like Versa Gripps,Versa Wrapps, and the VG Hyperbelt for better grip, and wrist and back support during heavy lifts.
• Focus on different body parts by alternating upper-body, lower-body, and full-body sessions to balance development and recovery.
• Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself by using enough weight so that the final few reps feel difficult—but always maintain good form.
• Perform compound movements like squats, pushups, and lateral pulldowns to work multiple muscles at once and build overall strength.
• Allow your muscles to recover by resting at least 48 hours between training the same muscle groups.

When you train well and stay consistent, strength training can help you move better, feel stronger, and even live longer.

Get Versa Gripps and Train Better

VG products are the weightlifting aids you need for maximum support, especially when lifting heavy. Here’s how each VG product supports your workout:

1. Versa Gripps: Like lifting grips, hooks, straps, and wrist wraps all in one, Versa Gripps help you to build muscle without losing your grip, so you never miss a rep.
2. Versa Wrapps: Purpose-built wrist wraps designed to provide exceptional support when performing heavy press exercises, Versa Wrapps give you a boost when wrist stability is paramount.
3. VG Hyperbelt: The first lifting belt specifically engineered for hypertrophy-style training (for bigger muscles) with more reps and more weight. The VG Hyperbelt is designed with full-core support, a custom fit, and adaptive comfort that can be worn throughout your entire workout.

All VG products are made with high-quality materials designed to last. By supporting your body as you push through heavy lifts, Versa Gripps help you maintain good form and improve mind-muscle connection.

Get the best wrist wraps for lifting, the best weightlifting grips, and the most cutting-edge weightlifting belt available today, and train better.