Resistance bands

I have used them and I liked them. I have lifted weights since I was in collge, I went back to free weights like the work out better. I stopped using the bar though I just use dumbells now. I work out with light weightd and High reps. I also do alot of stretching. Go To Utube there are alot of rutines on there for older men. I am 75

Fraunhubby- thanks for the doctor advice.
I have to see a doctor as part of my health insurance. Plus I am on a diet from my heath plan that is monitored by separate doctors. I can't do heavy exercise, because I will lose weight too fast because of the diet, but I can exercise.
So, other than doing too much, too fast, there is no reason why I can't do this.

What Molly said. Plus, maybe start with a full checkup from your doctor at this age.

Sorry, I didn't realize you were giving the opinion of a massage therapist.
I searched online for exercising over 60 in general. In addition do just about everybody recommending resistance training, some suggested the bands as safer to start with. As I'm sure you know, it is very easy for a beginner to hurt himself by trying to lift too much to start with. They felt it was harder to hurt yourself by doing too much with the bands.
Of course, like everything on the internet, they might have been sponsored by the band makers.
Again, thank you for your advice.

Who did you hear it from? Because the research favors lifting weights - and (at least eventually) not light ones. And, yeah, that's research on older people, including those who take up weightlifting as seniors.

I trained as a massage therapist and went to a school that emphasized orthopedic and structural work rather than relaxation. While I did give clients stretchy bands and the exercises to go with them, it was to increase flexibility and maaaaybe build a little muscle. Muscle is key to healthy aging though and more is better.

Resistance bands have their place, as does everything from bodyweight exercises to cardio, but no one should be recommending them as an alternative to weightlifting, regardless of age.

The caveat though is that the best exercise is the one people will do, no matter what the research says.

Edited to add: You can hurt yourself with anything, so if you can afford it get six sessions with a good trainer to get you started with proper form on the big exercises like squats and deadlifts and otherwise find the reputable trainers who make YouTube videos and pay attention like your life depends on it.

Also, start with light weights until your form is bulletproof.

Thanks goodgolly.
But I meant I heard it was better for someone who was older and just starting. What I heard was, it is a lot easier for an older person to hurt themselves with free weights than with the bands.
Just wondering if anybody had experience with bands and weights and was older.

Resistance bands are great in some circumstances - you're rehabbing and need resistance that's lighter than the lightest dumbbell available, you want to do assisted pullups, you're fixing your squat form, you're traveling and won't have access to a gym and want to do something more than planks - but, no, they're not better than weights.

I'm strongly biased towards free weights for a lot of reasons, including that there isn't anything better for building strength. Done properly - so, good form, lifting with the muscles and mobility you do have instead of with your ego (only got a 10 pound bench press in you? Awesome), and going in with a plan that has some flexibility - you build muscle that will keep you healthy long after some of your non-weightlifting cohort has retired to the recliner.

Has anyone ever tried the resistance bands?
I'm 64 and heard they are better for me than lifting weights.