Strengthening our muscles or maintaining muscular strength becomes even more crucial in order to age well. Being able to maintain balance, coordination, and flexibility to keep up with your kids or grandkids becomes a delightful possibility. Let’s see why building or maintaining strength is the ultimate ticket to the fountain of youth.
As we age, the stakes become higher in what we should be demanding of ourselves from a health and fitness regime. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling good and being able to actively participate in life. Imagine having the strength to join your grandkids in a game of tag or effortlessly carry groceries without breaking a sweat, being able to place your own bag in the overhead locker on a plane, or even pick up your grandkid that just fallen over and hurt their knee – that’s the power of well-maintained muscles.
Building and maintaining muscle mass shouldn’t just be a vanity pursuit as you get older, or at any age; it’s a health necessity. Insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and the demands on your cardiovascular system all bow down to the mighty power of muscle. By keeping those muscles active and strong, you’re essentially creating a protective shield against various health concerns.
Daily movements, the ones we do without thinking – bending, lifting, reaching – these are the real VIPs, the movements we should be mimicking in the gym. Training these everyday movements ensures that your muscles and joints stay well-oiled and ready for action. It’s like preparing for the dance of life, where strength, balance, and coordination take centre stage, and you are the master’s athlete competing.
Now, while some people, trainers might swear by just isolating specific muscles for that sculpted look, the real magic lies in full-body engagement. Think any movement that involves multiple joints and musicales within your body, squat variations, deadlift variations, anything that involves pushing something away from you or pulling towards you, these exercises are your secret weapons against the tests of time. Balancing on both feet during these movements not only strengthens muscles but also fine-tunes your balance game. Ensuring that the right muscles are used synergistically so that imbalances don’t occur, so there is less chance of injury.
So, why not embrace the power of functional strength. Lift those weights, engage in movements that mimic your daily activities, and watch how your body becomes a well-coordinated, unstoppable force. Aging isn’t about slowing down; it’s about adapting and staying strong enough to savour every moment so you can live your best life and keep doing the things you love.
Cheers to the joy of movement and the strength that comes with it! Celebrate your body and it will thank you for it.
