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Dear Savvy Senior:

I’ve fallen several times over the past year, and my doctor has recommended that I start a strength-training program to help prevent future falls.

But at age 72, I’ve never lifted weights before and could use some help. What can you tell me? 

— Looking for Help

Dear Looking:
Weak leg muscles and poor balance are two of the biggest factors that cause older adults to fall. After age 40, most people lose about one percent of their muscle mass each year, which really adds up over time.

But study after study has shown that it’s never too late to rebuild muscle through strength training. Regular resistance or strength training can help you build muscle strength, increase your bone density and improve your balance, coordination and stamina, and will help prevent falls.

It can also help reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, back pain, depression and obesity. And some studies even show that it helps improve cognitive function, too.

Here are some simple ways to help you get stronger.

Getting started

After you get your doctor’s okay, consider working with a professional trainer or physical therapist for a few sessions to help you develop a safe and effective routine you can continue on your own.

Or go to www.growingstronger.nutrition.tufts.edu for a free program from Tufts University in Boston and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Also see www.go4life.nia.nih.gov, a resource created by the National Institute on Aging, that offers a free exercise guide that provides illustrated examples of exercises you can do at home to strengthen your body. You can order a free copy online or by calling 1-800-222-2225.

To improve your strength, you have to keep stressing your muscles, so you’ll need to exercise at least two or three days a week for 30 to 45 minutes, and increase resistance and the number of repetitions over time.

But be sure you give your muscles a day off between workouts. It makes the muscle stronger and more able to resist future injury.

Inexpensive equipment

If you work out at home, you’ll probably need to invest in some equipment. While some strength training can be done using your own body weight (like push-ups, sit-ups and leg squats), there are many great tools for strength training, including hand weights, ankle weights, medicine balls, and resistance bands or rubber tubing.

You can find all these products at sporting goods stores, or online at Amazon.com for around $10 or less. Cans of soup, water bottles or plastic milk containers filled with water or sand can also be used (like small hand weights) for resistance.

Take a class

If you don’t like exercising alone, consider joining a gym. Or call your local senior or recreation center to see if they offer any strength training exercise classes.

You should also check out SilverSneakers (www.silversneakers.com, 888-423-4632) and Silver&Fit (www.silverandfit.com, 877-427-4788) — fitness programs offered in thousands of fitness centers, gyms and YMCAs throughout the U.S. with special classes designed for older adults. These programs are available for free to those who have certain Medicare supplemental policies or Medicare Advantage plans.

Some other good fall-prevention exercises that can help you get stronger include aerobic activities like walking, cycling or water aerobics.

And to improve your balance there’s tai chi, along with a number of simple balance exercises that you can do anytime — like standing on one foot for 30 seconds, then switching to the other foot, and walking heel-to-toe across the room.

 Send your questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.