I asked a personal trainer for 5 bodyweight moves to help my parents build strength and stability in their 60s — here’s what she said

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As we get older, strength training becomes more important than ever when it comes to reversing the physical signs of aging. After the age of 30, you naturally lose 3-5% of your muscle mass per decade, an age-related process called sarcopenia. This dramatically accelerates once you turn 60, and the best way to slow this down or reverse it entirely is to do regular strength workouts.Strength training doesn’t have to mean lifting heavy weights in the gym. Just using your bodyweight for resistance can help maintain and build muscle, boost your metabolism, and protect your bones from conditions like osteoporosis.Yet if you’re returning to exercise following an extended break, or you’re a complete beginner, it can be tricky to know where to start. To find out more, I asked personal trainer Jen Rulon for some advice.Rulon has 20 years of experience, is a 15-time Ironman finisher, and specializes in strength training for women in midlife. I asked her for five bodyweight exercises I could give my parents, who are both in their 60s. Here’s what she said.Jen Rulon has a master's degree in Kinesiology (Exercise Science), 20+ years of coaching experience, is a 15-time Ironman finisher and Kona qualifier, TEDx speaker, and author of Self-Motivation Strategies for Women. Strength training for women in midlife and beyond is core to her coaching practice. 5 bodyweight exercises to focus on in your 60s to build strength and stabilityRulon recommends starting with a warm-up to get the joints moving. This could be a quick five-minute walk, or just standing up and walking on the spot for a few minutes, pumping the arms and legs.Then focus on doing the following bodyweight moves:1. Bodyweight squats