What if I have arthritis, an old injury, or low bone density?

Those are reasons to lift with a coach, not reasons to skip lifting. Loaded movement is one of the most evidence-backed interventions for arthritis pain, joint health, and bone density. Foundations exists in part to build a program around whatever you bring through the door.

Where should I start at CFBC?

If you have never lifted seriously, start with our 5-Day Foundations program. It is one-on-one coaching designed to give you the squat, deadlift, press, and conditioning floor that everything else is built on. If you have lifted before, book a free intro and we will route you into the right class or program for your goals.

Strong at 70 Beats Shredded at 27

Strong at 70 Beats Shredded at 27 from CrossFit BC. Aesthetics fade. Capacity compounds. Why building real strength now is the most selfish thing you can do for the version of you at 70.

Written by:: CrossFit BC
Section:: Longevity
Reading time:: 10 min
Topics:: longevity, strength, healthspan, foundations, training after 40, vancouver
Published:: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Last updated:: Sunday, July 12, 2026

This article is part of the CrossFit BC journal, written by the coaching staff who run our classes in Olympic Village, Vancouver. We publish what we teach on the floor: training decisions, recovery, nutrition, and the honest tradeoffs behind them.

Common questions

Am I too old to start lifting heavy?

Almost certainly not. We have coached members into real strength gains in their seventies. The relevant question is not your age but your starting point and your willingness to show up two to three times a week. The window for strength adaptation does not close until very, very late. The cost of waiting another year, though, is real.

Can I just walk and stretch? Do I really need to lift?

Walking and stretching are wonderful and not enough. Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle, only responds to load. You need to ask your muscles to produce force against meaningful resistance for them to keep showing up. That can be done safely at any age. It cannot be replaced by yoga, walking, or pilates alone.

How heavy is heavy enough?

Heavy enough that you could not do more than 10 to 12 clean repetitions of it. That is the threshold where strength adaptation actually happens. Below that, you are doing endurance work, which has its place but does not protect muscle mass the same way. A coach should be progressing your load every few weeks.