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Like most certified personal trainers, I have exercises that I love and a few that I loathe.Skipping the ones I hated was excusable when I was younger (“I’ll do it next time!” “This other exercise works the same muscles!”). But now that I’ve pushed past 40, I’ve come to realize that some of my not-so-favorite moves are incredibly important for maintaining proper balance, stability, and posture.Training for healthy aging is vital for anyone in their 30’s and 40’s. The stronger you can enter your senior years, the better protected you are against injury from serious falls and other age-related conditions.While the three exercises below haven’t always had a solid place in my routine, they do now. If you’re 40 or over, have a set of dumbbells, and want to start training with longevity in mind, give them a try.How to do the three exercisesAlways check in with your doctor before trying any new activity. If you’re a beginner, consider meeting with a certified personal trainer before attempting these exercises. A trainer can give you guidance on good form, offer modifications if needed, and progress the exercises once you’ve gotten stronger.In addition to dumbbells, you’ll also need a moderately heavy resistance band.Start by doing each exercise for 1-2 sets of 8-10 reps. Once that feels easy, increase your reps to 12-15 and add another set. You can also work with heavier dumbbells and resistance bands as you build strength.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.You should be able to complete between 8-15 reps with good form. If you’re unable to do 8 reps, work with a lighter weight. If you can do 15 reps without much effort, use a heavier weight.I often do these exercises as part of a longer resistance training workout. You may choose to do the same or perform the exercises on their own.Here’s how to do them:1. Single-leg Romanian deadlift
