USE IT OR LOSE IT

Muscle sarcopenia.

Sounds fancy right...?

Well not really, defined as an ‘age related involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength’ it can also occur from inactivity, lack of exercise and poor nutrition.

But for now, let’s focus on the most common association, getting old = plain old muscle loss, doesn’t it?

The common thought processes is “well I can't possibly GAIN any lean muscle mass, just lose it at my age anyway and nothing I can do will possibly stop it, it's pointless going to the gym as I’m ‘too old’, I may as well just sit down, roll over and waste away until I die."

Okay so maybe I git a bit carried away there with last bit, but how many times do you hear people who have still got so many years of potentially great quality of life ahead of them say things like; 'I’m too old for the gym; or 'I couldn’t do that exercise he/she does' or 'I’m too old for that stuff now'.

WHY?!

SAYS WHO?!

Many consequences of sarcopenia are preventable or even reversible. Progressive resistance exercises can produce substantial increases in strength, bone density and muscle size, even in the oldest old’ (ref pub med study).

Who wouldn’t want to give themselves the best quality of life as you get older...?

Being functional, active being able to get about with family, kids, grandkids, friends etc. with no problem – and still giving the young guns a run for their money!

You’d also stand in better stead with fighting infections, being stronger with greater bone density, hell, even the little tings we take for granted like being able to get on and off the toilet become far less tricky than if you have small amounts of strength, muscle mass and bone density.

Attached is a pic from a clip of one of my PT clients Sheila, deadlifting 80kg for 11 reps, at the tender age of 65 years young, executed EASILY and with great form - her squats, other compounds and plethora of isolation exercises are impressive too.

All at the age of 65 years young, easy! And she’s certainly not alone - far from it.

Everything she does in the gym (coupled with the benefits) compliments her lifestyle and she’s able to comfortably do anything she wants in life without restraint or complaint.

Now, I appreciate we aren’t all as lucky with our general health and injuries/ailments, but you owe it to yourself and loved ones to give your body and health and mental health the best possible chance.

So, let’s see what you can achieve!

See you at the gym,

Cal