5 Simple Exercises That Build More Muscle Than Heavy Lifting After 40
If strength training tends to feel overwhelming, I’ve got 5 simple exercises just for you. These thoughtful, approachable exercises can go a long way toward building muscle, boosting energy, and keeping your body performing at a high level well into your 40s and beyond.
These movements work because they focus on quality over complexity. They challenge your muscles in ways that carry over to daily life, improve posture, and set the stage for steady progress without the wear and tear of heavy barbell work.
Consistency matters more than chasing numbers, and that’s where these simple exercises shine. They’re efficient, effective, and versatile enough to fit into any routine, whether you train at home or in the gym.
In this article, you’ll discover five exercises that deliver muscle-building power without unnecessary complication. You’ll also learn how to perform them with precision, how to progress them, and why they should be cornerstones of your training after 40.
5 Simple Exercises to Build More Muscle After 40
Bulgarian Split Squats
The Bulgarian split squat is one of the most effective lower body exercises you can do after 40. Unlike heavy barbell squats that load your spine, this move challenges each leg independently, building balanced strength and stability. It also forces your core to engage to keep you upright, which improves posture and overall athleticism. Over time, it builds strong quads and glutes while protecting your joints.
Muscles Trained: Quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, core
How to Do It
- Stand a few feet in front of a bench or step with your feet hip-width apart.
- Place the top of your back foot on the bench behind you.
- Hold your chest tall and engage your core.
- Lower your back knee toward the floor by bending your front leg to about 90 degrees.
- Press through your front heel to return to the starting position.
- Repeat all reps on one side before switching legs.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps per leg. Rest for 60 to 75 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Bodyweight Bulgarian split squats, dumbbell Bulgarian split squats, kettlebell front-loaded Bulgarian split squats
Form Tip: Keep your front knee stacked directly over your ankle. If your knee drifts forward or caves in, adjust your stance to maintain proper alignment.
Pull-Ups
Pull-ups build upper body strength in a way few other exercises can. They train your back, arms, and grip simultaneously, all while challenging your core to stabilize. For men and women over 40, maintaining pulling strength is essential for posture, shoulder health, and overall muscle balance. This bodyweight staple delivers more functional strength than hours of machine rows.
Muscles Trained: Latissimus dorsi, biceps, rear deltoids, core
How to Do It
- Grip a pull-up bar slightly wider than shoulder-width with palms facing away.
- Hang with your arms fully extended and your core braced.
- Pull your chest up toward the bar by driving your elbows down and back.
- Pause briefly at the top when your chin clears the bar.
- Lower slowly to the starting position with control.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 to 4 sets of as many reps as possible. Rest for 90 seconds between sets.
Best Variations: Assisted pull-ups with bands, chin-ups, weighted pull-ups
Form Tip: Avoid shrugging your shoulders toward your ears. Keep them down and back to protect your neck and maximize back engagement.
Farmer’s Carries
Carrying heavy loads is one of the most practical ways to build strength after 40. Farmers carry develops grip, shoulders, traps, and core all at once. They also build endurance and stability that translate directly to everyday tasks like lifting groceries, luggage, or even kids. Unlike heavy deadlifts, this movement challenges you with less spinal compression but delivers full-body results.
Muscles Trained: Forearms, traps, shoulders, core, glutes
How to Do It
- Grab a pair of heavy dumbbells or kettlebells and stand tall.
- Engage your core and keep your shoulders pulled back.
- Walk forward in a straight line while maintaining good posture.
- Continue for a set distance or time.
- Set the weights down safely and reset before your next round.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 to 5 sets of 30 to 45 seconds of carries. Rest for 60 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Single-arm farmer’s carry, suitcase carry, overhead carry
Form Tip: Keep your ribs stacked over your hips. If you lean too far to one side, lighten the load and focus on maintaining control.
Push-Ups
Push-ups may be simple, but they remain one of the best ways to build chest, triceps, and core strength. They also improve shoulder stability and can be progressed endlessly, making them ideal for training after 40. Unlike heavy bench pressing, push-ups reduce joint strain while still building muscle and improving pressing power.
Muscles Trained: Chest, triceps, shoulders, core.
How to Do It
- Start in a high plank with your hands under your shoulders.
- Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels.
- Lower your chest toward the floor by bending your elbows.
- Press through your palms to return to the starting position.
- Keep your elbows at about a 45-degree angle from your torso.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 to 4 sets of 12 to 20 reps. Rest for 60 seconds between sets.
Best Variations: Incline push-ups, decline push-ups, weighted push-ups.
Form Tip: Engage your glutes and core to keep your hips from sagging or rising. Think of your body as one solid plank.
Romanian Deadlifts (RDLs)
The Romanian deadlift strengthens the posterior chain, which is critical for staying strong, athletic, and injury-free after 40. By focusing on hinging at the hips, this exercise targets hamstrings and glutes while sparing your lower back from the heavy pounding of traditional deadlifts. It builds functional power and protects your ability to move well for years to come.
Muscles Trained: Hamstrings, glutes, lower back, forearms.
How to Do It
- Hold a barbell or pair of dumbbells in front of your thighs.
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent.
- Hinge at your hips, lowering the weight down your thighs toward mid-shin.
- Keep your back flat and core braced throughout the movement.
- Drive through your heels and squeeze your glutes to return to standing.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 10 reps. Rest for 75 seconds between sets.
Best Variations: Single-leg Romanian deadlifts, kettlebell Romanian deadlifts, band-resisted Romanian deadlifts.
Form Tip: Push your hips back instead of bending at your waist. Think about reaching your glutes toward the wall behind you.
The Best Training Strategies After 40
The right exercises set the stage, but how you approach your training determines the results. After 40, smart strategies become just as important as the movements themselves. Focusing on recovery, precision, and consistency ensures that every workout builds strength without unnecessary setbacks. With a clear plan, you can keep adding muscle, protecting your joints, and enjoying training for years to come.
- Prioritize recovery: Make sleep, mobility, and nutrition as important as your workouts.
- Master your form first: Good technique allows you to train harder and longer without setbacks.
- Stay consistent: Small, steady efforts deliver bigger results than sporadic heavy lifting.
- Mix strength and mobility: Pairing stability drills with strength work keeps your body resilient.
- Progress gradually: Increase weights, reps, or time under tension in small, steady steps.
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