I'll add a bit of jargon to the conversation but I think it's pretty useful jargon.
When we design programs at StrongFirst, we assume a normal, healthy individual, someone who scores at least a two on all their FMS tests. For people who aren't up to what we consider to be a baseline normal, we have what we call regressions. One can work on the regressions to bring one up to the baseline, and then move into what we call progressions to become stronger.
I'll give a personal example. I have accomplished my 1/2 bodyweight kettlebell military press, which is 32 kg at my 150 lbs. bodyweight. But I haven't done much pressing in the last few years after developing overuse injuries in both shoulders.
Over the last few months, I've been on a program suitable for someone in my situation. My traditional regimen for shoulder health has always included the ability to finish a set of presses with a windmill, and I do my windmills the "old fashioned" way we used to do them at StrongFirst, with a large range of motion. In my case, given my relatively flexible hips and hamstrings, I like to put the palm of the non-bearing hand on the ground.
My program began with bodyweight-only windmills, and when I added presses, I used a 4 kg kettlebell. I moved up in 2 kg increments as I felt my strength and mobility improve, but I spent more than a single session each with 6, 8, and 10 kg. I spent about a week with 12 kg, and moved up to 14 kg just today. My protocol is 1 clean and 5 presses per side, and windmill from the top of the 5th press. Both sides, then repeat, so 10 presses per side per day, and pressing almost every day. The weight is light enough that I have plenty of room to focus on the things I need to make my shoulders work again - my right shoulder is plain weird from years of classical guitar playing, and I need to make an effort to get it in the right place before I press. I've got my little checklist - roll my right shoulder back, make sure I've got my weight slightly more on my right side, make sure I have a little t-spine rotation in the direction of my press before I start, and double-check the t-spine rotation again before I do my windmill.
When I first started pressing kettlebells, however, I began with a 16 kg and within a few weeks was up to a 24 kg. A 16 kg is what a normal, healthy adult male of my size ought to be able to start with, and there is no need for anything lighter - and that was my point. The right sized weight is the best teacher provided form is good. Rehab and regressions are a separate thing, and I don't think it's good to simply lump all older people together, or to use "deconditioned" as an adjective. If regressions and rehab work are needed, approach them as such, not just as doing a normal program but with very light weights. For health people, such light weights aren't necessary and can be counterproductive.
And, FWIW, I'm doing great - the right mechanics are starting to become easier as I continue to practice them, and I'm looking forward to soon, perhaps even the end of this week, pressing a 16 kg again for 5 reps x 2 sets on each side, my baseline for "normal."
Perhaps this is largely semantics, but as a trainer, I think it's an important distinction. There are no strength goals as such when performing regressions and in rehabilitation - the goal is to get back to a normal baseline, and then to think about how to become stronger.
JMO, YMMV.
-S-