How Building Muscle Helps You Grow Younger

 

Contrary to popular belief, skeletal muscle (not skin) is our largest organ, accounting for 45% of our entire body mass. That’s why building muscle mass is crucial at any age—ideally, the younger the better. Sedentary individuals tend to lose as much as 3-5% muscle mass per year after turning 30, so you can only guess how dramatic muscle mass decreases by the time our 60s hit.

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As you’ve likely witnessed with older family members, muscle weakness increases the risk of falling. Unsurprisingly, each fall becomes progressively harder to recover from. Eventually, a wrist, shoulder, or hip may end up fractured, and the sad truth is that 50% of those who suffer from a hip fracture pass away within a year of their accident. 

I’m a giant fan of podcasts and have listened to many interviews with Functional Medicine practitioner Dr. Gabrielle Lyon who calls muscle “the organ of longevity”. Since I’ve learned more about the importance of building muscle, I’ve completely modified my exercise routine. While my past exercise regime used to prioritize cardio, my current and future plans always put strength training first. Compound strength exercises are my go-to, because they work multiple muscles at once. They also build the most muscle mass, increase strength the quickest, and burn the most calories in the shortest amount of time.

Here are some of my favorite compound strength exercises:

  • Bodyweight or dumbbell squats

  • Dumbbell lunges

  • Dumbbell deadlifts

  • Push ups 

  • Planks 


Want to learn more about aging in reverse? Schedule a complimentary consultation with me today.

Author: Belinda Boardman, Founder

 
 
 
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