As you get older, you may find that muscle strength is reduced and you are less steady on your feet. Some movements, such as leaning sideways or turning quickly, can cause a loss of balance. This can begin earlier than you may expect, from your early fifties onwards.
But the good news? Strength training can help at every stage of life. Whether you're navigating menopause, recovering from a hospital stay, or maintaining mobility in later years, building and maintaining muscle is key to staying independent, active, and confident.
Today, on Strength Training Awareness Day (4th April 2025), we're shining a light on strength training through the ages - showing how it supports health and wellbeing. Here are some insights from our programmes, real stories, and practical ways to get started. ?
MenoFit - Women & Girls Programme
Through our recent MenoFit course, Steph Moreland our Women and Girls Development Officer worked in Partnership with Spartan Gym, Wellington to support 12 women on a MenoFit course. The aim was to empower women to prioritise physical activity as a means of managing menopausal symptoms. Launched in January, the first course was a resounding success, with participants benefitting from both the physical and emotional support it offered.
One participant Emma said "This course was absolutely brilliant. To meet and share personal experiences with like minded ladies, have a good work out and chat about our daily struggles was just awesome."
Move 2 Independence - Hospital Discharge Programme
Move 2 Independence can support someone with getting back to living well at home, following recent discharge from hospital. SASP offer movement visits in the home along with a range of activity based resources and programmes that are adaptable, making them suitable for a range of health conditions and symptoms someone may be living with following a stay in hospital. The person is in control of how they use the service to benefit their recovery but all opportunities are low impact, focus on different types of fitness and may even be enjoyable!
We have recently hit one whole year of this project, so we were able to collect some evaluation data to see how our participants have been getting along...
? 37.5% reduction in fear of falling
? 99% of participants are aware of the types of strength and balance exercises to prevent a fall
? 91% doing strength and balance exercises at the end of the programme
Care Homes Work
Between March and September 2024, SASP teamed up with West Somerset PCN to boost physical activity in care homes—helping residents stay active, reduce falls, and build strength.
? 12 care homes joined the initiative with
? Group activity sessions, staff training & were part of the "Sloppy Slippers" falls prevention campaign
? Big improvements in staff skills, confidence & resident wellbeing
"Peter really engaged residents that were not normally interested in physical activity."
Strength training can be life-changing, improving not just physical health but also confidence and overall wellbeing. At SASP, we're here to support everyone, making strength training accessible to all ages and abilities. If you're ready to get started, join a local session, or reach out to our team—we'd love to help you find the right way to build strength and move more.