“Muscle is the organ of longevity”
Dr Gabriella Lyon.
And it’s the one organ that we can control and do something about!
“It is your muscle mass as you age more than anything else…… that will determine how healthy you are….”
It’s not so much about body fat, though that definitely plays a key role in health, but it’s your muscle mass that makes the biggest impact on health as we age.
Research shows now that there’s a link between muscle mass and alzheimers. It’s not just about how much weight you can lift, it affects everything
From late 30’s we start to lose 3-5% of our muscle mass.
From age 50, that % starts to rapidly increase And for women, the reduction in oestrogen around that time, really affects the body’s ability to build muscle.
Though not impossible!
Building muscle through strength training is so important for everyone no matter how old you are.
However, this becomes increasingly important as we get older.
Strength training also helps with:
Developing strong bones. By stressing your bones, strength training can increase bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Managing your weight. Building more muscle mass can increase your metabolism to help you burn more calories.
Enhancing your quality of life. As you get stronger, you improve your ability to do everyday activities.
Protecting your joints from injury. Building muscle can contribute to better balance and reduce your risk of falls.
Managing chronic conditions. Strength training can reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, obesity, heart disease, depression and diabetes.
Sharpening your thinking skills. Some research suggests that regular strength training may help improved thinking and learning skills for older adults.
Ultimately, this can all help you maintain independence as you age.
Have you lifted weights before?
Have you been told you should strength train but not quite sure where to start?
Always happy to chat
To find out more, please visit my group here: Polly Turnill Fitness
Polly Turnill 
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