Private and calm
No crowds, no loud music and no one waiting on a machine. Just you and Patrick, at a pace that works for you.
Atlas Strength / Seniors 60+
Adults 60+ · Private gym · Carle Place, NY
Strong bones. Steady legs.
Coached strength training for adults in their 60s, 70s and beyond. Every exercise has a job: protect your bones, keep your muscle, sharpen your balance and keep you doing the things you love.
1-on-1Every rep coached
Private gymQuiet, no crowds
BS KinesiologySUNY Cortland · NSCA-CPT
5.0 ★28 Google reviews
Is this for you?
Built for
60 and up
You don't need to be in shape to start. Most of my older clients had never lifted a barbell before.
- You've never liftedWe start with the basics and build from wherever you are today.
- Your doctor mentioned your bonesOsteopenia or osteoporosis, or you just want to stay ahead of it.
- Stairs and chairs feel harderGetting up, carrying groceries or climbing stairs takes more effort than it used to.
- You're worried about fallingYou feel less steady on curbs, stairs or uneven ground.
- Your knees or hips acheArthritis, an old injury or a joint replacement.
- You want to stay independentTravel, garden, play with the grandkids and live on your own terms.
Why Atlas
Why Atlas fits
older adults
Strength training is the best thing you can do to stay independent. Here is why Atlas is a good place to do it.
Built around your body
Your joints, past surgeries, balance and health history shape the plan. We follow anything your doctor tells us.
Training for real life
Getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, carrying groceries and staying steady on your feet. That is what we train.
Your first month
- First visit
A simple movement check: getting up from a chair, balance, walking and grip. We go over your health history and what you want to be able to do.
- Weeks 1–4
Light weights, machines and bodyweight. You learn every movement slowly, with balance work in every session.
- Month 2 and beyond
Weights go up a little at a time. Most people notice stairs, getting up from the floor and carrying things start to feel easier.
What changes with age
What we train
and why
Getting older brings real changes. Here is what happens, exactly what we do about it, and what you can expect.
Protect your bones
- What happens
- Bones get thinner with age, and faster for women after menopause. About 1 in 2 women and up to 1 in 4 men over 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis.
- What we do
- Bone gets stronger when it's loaded. We build up, step by step, to lifts that load your hips and spine: deadlifts from a raised height, squats to a box, overhead presses, step-ups and loaded carries.
- What to expect
- In the LIFTMOR study, women with low bone mass who did supervised heavy lifting twice a week for 8 months improved bone density in the spine and hip. Bone changes slowly, so think months, not weeks.
Keep your muscle
- What happens
- Adults slowly lose muscle from their 30s on, and the loss speeds up after 60. Less muscle means weaker legs, slower walking and harder stairs.
- What we do
- Progressive strength training: box squats, deadlifts, rows, presses and sled pushes. Each week, a little more weight or a few more reps. Plus simple guidance on getting enough protein.
- What to expect
- Strength usually improves within the first few weeks. Getting out of a chair, carrying groceries and climbing stairs get easier.
Stay on your feet
- What happens
- More than 1 in 4 adults 65 and older fall each year. Weak legs, slower reactions and poor balance are big reasons why.
- What we do
- Leg strength first, then step-ups, split squats, single-leg balance, carrying weight in one hand, stepping drills, and practicing getting down to the floor and back up.
- What to expect
- You feel steadier on stairs, curbs and uneven ground, and confident you can get up if you go down.
React faster
- What happens
- Power, the ability to move quickly, fades faster than strength with age. It's what lets you catch yourself when you trip.
- What we do
- Light, quick movements done with good form: fast sit-to-stands, quick step-ups, light medicine ball throws and sled pushes.
- What to expect
- Quicker reactions, a faster walking pace, and a better chance of catching yourself before a stumble becomes a fall.
Stand tall
- What happens
- The upper back tends to round forward with age and bone loss. That makes it harder to stand tall, reach overhead and breathe deeply.
- What we do
- Rows, back extensions, carries and upper-back work to strengthen the muscles that hold you upright, plus mobility for your hips and shoulders.
- What to expect
- You stand taller, reach overhead more easily and feel less stiff through your back and shoulders.
Move with less pain
- What happens
- Stiff, achy knees, hips and shoulders, often from arthritis. When it hurts, people move less, and moving less makes it worse.
- What we do
- We strengthen the muscles around the joint and pick variations that don't flare it up: box squats, trap bar deadlifts, sled pushes and cable work. Every session starts with a warm-up and mobility.
- What to expect
- Exercise is one of the most recommended treatments for knee and hip arthritis. Most clients find they hurt less and move better as they get stronger.
Manage blood sugar
- What happens
- Muscle uses a lot of the sugar in your blood after a meal. Less muscle and less activity make blood sugar and blood pressure harder to manage.
- What we do
- Strength training plus conditioning like sled pushes, bike intervals and carries, along with nutrition guidance.
- What to expect
- Strength training helps your body handle blood sugar better, and the American Diabetes Association recommends it 2 to 3 days a week. Never change medications without talking to your doctor.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Get your doctor's OK before starting, especially with osteoporosis, a heart condition, diabetes or a recent surgery.
A typical session
Your 60
minutes
Every session follows the same plan, so you always know what's coming.
- 10 min
Warm-up & mobility
Loosen up hips, back and shoulders, and get your joints ready.
- 5–10 min
Balance & speed
Single-leg balance, stepping drills and light, quick movements.
- 30 min
Strength
Two or three main lifts for your legs, back and upper body, coached every rep.
- 10 min
Carries & conditioning
Loaded carries, sled pushes or the bike to finish strong.
Why it's safe
Built so you
don't get hurt
The most common worry I hear is "I don't want to get hurt." Here's exactly how we keep that from happening.
- Health history firstBefore we lift anything, we go over your conditions, medications, surgeries and scans, so your plan is built around them.
- Coached every repIt's 1-on-1. I watch every rep and correct your form before it becomes a problem.
- Start lighter than you thinkYour first weeks are about learning the movements. Weight goes up only when your form is solid.
- Joint-friendly versionsDeadlifts from a raised height, squats to a box, trap bar and sled work keep the load where it belongs and off cranky joints.
- Small steps upWeight and reps increase gradually, week by week. No max lifts and nothing done to exhaustion.
- Steady on your feetBalance work is done next to a rack or with a hand nearby, on a clear floor with good lighting.
- Breathing coachedI teach you to breathe through each lift, which matters if you have high blood pressure.
- Pain means we adjustWe never push through pain. If something hurts, we change the exercise, the range or the load.
- We work with your doctorWe follow any restrictions from your doctor, surgeon or physical therapist.
The bigger risk is not training. Weak muscles and thinning bones are what lead to falls and broken bones. Coached strength training is how you lower that risk.
Inside the gym
Strong at
every age
Real clients at Atlas Strength, coached every rep.
How it works
How it
works
No contracts, no sales pitch, no pressure. Month to month.
Reach out
Fill out the short form below, or call or text (516) 524-3420.
First session
We go over your health history, medications and any aches, then see how you move: getting up from a chair, balance, walking and lifting from the floor.
Start light
Your first weeks are about learning the movements and building confidence. Weight goes up only when your form is solid.
Get stronger for years
Two to three sessions a week, adjusted as you go. We recheck the same movements so you can see your progress.
Included with your training
Your coach,
in your pocket
Every client can use the Atlas Strength app, built by Patrick. Your program, your progress and a direct line to your coach, all in one place.
- Your full programEvery session, exercise, set and rep, plus work for your off days.
- Know how hard to pushEvery lift is tagged with an intensity, so you never have to guess.
- Track your progressWorkout log, personal records and progress charts.
- Train around painFlag an ache and get safer exercise swaps.
Your coach
Patrick Rice
Many of my clients are in their 60s and 70s. I write every program around your health history, your joints and your goals, and I coach every session myself.
I don't do random workouts. Every exercise has a reason, and I'll always tell you what it is. I've coached at Atlas Strength since 2015, hold a BS in Kinesiology from SUNY Cortland and am an NSCA-certified personal trainer.
Client results
In their words
Real reviews from clients at Atlas Strength.
“I was a middle age woman that had to lose weight and needed to get in shape… I lost over 40lbs got in great physical strength and shape… I am now 61yrs old and love going to this gym 3x a week.”
“I came in dealing with some right shoulder issues, and instead of just having me push through pain or avoid certain movements altogether, he took the time to show me different techniques and modifications… That level of personalized attention and knowledge is hard to find at most gyms.”
“He knows exactly how to push me without ever making me feel overwhelmed, and every session feels purposeful and personalized.”
Questions
FAQ
Anything else? Call or text (516) 524-3420.
How much does training cost?
It depends on how often you train and which option you choose. Semi-private training with a friend, the Hybrid Training Program and online coaching all cost less than 1-on-1. I'll go over exact pricing at your meeting, with no pressure and no contracts.
Will other people be in the gym during my session?
Daytime 1-on-1 sessions are private: just you and your coach. Evenings (7 to 9 pm) can have Hybrid Training and open gym members training too.
Is lifting weights safe if I have osteoporosis?
For many people, yes, when it's coached and built up gradually. Research has shown that supervised strength training can improve bone density in people with low bone mass. Get your doctor's OK first, and tell me your scan results so we can plan around them. We avoid rounding your back under load and keep fall risk low.
Am I too old to start?
No. Studies have shown people in their 80s and 90s getting stronger with strength training. We start where you are and build from there.
Do I need my doctor's permission?
I recommend getting your doctor's OK before starting, especially if you have osteoporosis, a heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes or a recent surgery. Training works alongside your doctor's care, not instead of it.
I had a knee or hip replacement. Can I train?
Usually, yes, once your surgeon clears you. We follow any restrictions you were given and strengthen the muscles around the joint.
How often should I train?
Two to three times a week is ideal. Twice a week is a great place to start.
How long are sessions?
Every session is 60 minutes.
Get started
Book your
first session
Tell me a little about you and I'll get back to you within one business day to set it up.
I coach every session myself, so there are only so many training spots each week.
- Location
- 558 Westbury Ave.
Carle Place, NY 11514
1 block from the Carle Place LIRR station
Get directions → - Hours
- By appointment. Your sessions are scheduled around your week.
- Prefer to talk? Call or text
- (516) 524-3420
Got it, thanks!
Your request is in. I'll get back to you within one business day. Need me sooner? Call or text (516) 524-3420.