Published Jul 27, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT
Any of these movement types will be life-changing for you if you are consistent with your training.
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Published Jul 27, 2026, 1:30 PM EDT
Many types of resistance training exist that don’t require lifting weights. While weight training comes to mind first when you say, “resistance training,” you also have other ways to build muscle. Calisthenics, weight vests, rubber bands, isometrics and suspension trainers, such as the TRX, are all classified as resistance training. Here is an email from a veteran seeking training advice about building muscle on the far side of 40 years old: Stew, Army veteran and 44, wondering what you think I need to do to build muscle and strength: calisthenics or weight training? I am more of an endurance guy and not that experienced going to the gym. Liked doing PT in the Army, but never got into lifting much. Thanks, Sam. If you have not lifted weights and are not ready to join a gym, but you know you need to do resistance training for all the positive benefits as you age, here are some ideas. But to first answer your question, you can build muscle and some strength with calisthenics, but if you want to really build strength, you need to go heavier. Now, doing your first pullup or pushup is a strength exercise, but being able to do multiple reps of any calisthenics exercise is more of a muscle stamina/endurance effort. Here is how I would break the options down:
