We tell you lots that strong muscles are important for a long, active life. But what we haven’t yet told you is that building strength doesn’t have to mean lifting weights. There are cooler, funner ways to get strong. That’s where our video series comes in.
Battle ropes, slam balls, and kettlebells are not the exclusive province of the young. Though it’s not often that you see women in their 50s and 60s working out with this type of equipment, we want you to know that age should not be an excuse when it comes to trying new strength moves.
Battle Ropes
Here, we focus on battle ropes, which are heavy, supersize ropes usually anchored to a wall or beam. When waved, slammed, and whipped, the ropes give you a killer workout, conditioning abs, arms, and shoulders; engaging legs, and getting your heart rate up. (Way up!)
To up the ante, try battle rope training on a Bosu ball.
But we know that rope training can be intimidating if you haven’t done it before, which is why we asked L.A.-based trainer Julie Diamond to takes us through some simple battle ropes moves that can be intensified as you build strength. Watch closely — and the next time you’re at the gym, don’t be afraid to give them a go.
Much thanks to 34° North in Santa Monica, California, for this fun location. Videography and video editing: Pedro Aguirre
>READ: 6 WAYS STRENGTH TRAINING REVERSES AGING AND BEATS CARDIO
>READ: KICK START A HEALTHY YEAR — JOIN THE PRIME WOMEN 30-DAY FITNESS CHALLENGE
