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What is sarcopenia and how do I prevent sarcopenia?
Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass as we grow older. This isn't a small problem, because most chronic conditions stem from this loss, sarcopenia.
See, muscle isn't something that just makes it easier for us to move around and pick things up on a daily basis, although that is very important.
So this question could be rephrased into “why do I need more muscle mass on my body?”.
Muscle mass directly supports our entire body, including all the organs – liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, everything. In times of a medical emergency, like a car accident, when we are in danger of hitting organ failure and dying it is important to understand that the strength of our organs are directly proportional to that of our muscle mass.
Let's assume someone has a heart problem that continues to grow worse, but they've never used strength training to grow their muscles-
When we get them into our medical fitness facility at the Perfect Workout, typically we are able to double their strength in a very short time. In doubling their muscle mass now their heart is being taxed by 50% less. Their heart and all other organs are now working in a fifty percent more optimal capacity.
Doctors are finally beginning to see that patients who have higher muscle mass have much higher survival rates than those who have never trained their muscles to prevent and fight sarcopenia.
What is sarcopenia and How do I prevent sarcopenia?
How fast does sarcopenia occur? Near the age 27 we begin losing a half pound of muscle mass every year. This rate increases dramatically as we age. After turning the age of 50 we begin losing almost a full pound of muscle every year.
The list of only some of the chronic illnesses and conditions that are associated with sarcopenia are heart disease, cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, dementia, arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lower back pain, diabetes type 2, multiple strokes, insulin resistance, erectile dysfunction, heart failure, erectile dysfunction, weakened immune system, and premature death.
What is sarcopenia prevention? How do I (we) prevent sarcopenia?
What we need in modern society is a preventative medicine for sarcopenia -
And this preventative medicine is strength training. In the last chapter of Body by Science, titled The Ideal training program for seniors, the important take away was this - “Strength training is the best preventative medicine in which a human being can engage. In many instances, senior citizens are being medicated to improve those listed biomarkers of health, never having been told that it is fully within their power to achieve these same effects through proper resistance training.”
What do we mean by “proper resistance training”?
This is important for learning what is the best sarcopenia prevention. In order to get all of the health benefits of exercise (strength training) we must work our muscles in a very meaningful and specific way.
We were told years ago by uninformed “experts” that “all we need is to stay active and walk”. This is simply outdated and very bad advice based on what we now know about human biology.
In 2003 humanity discovered that muscles excrete these amazing proteins called myokines that flood the bloodstream and are responsible for ALL the life changing benefits that we have attributed to exercise.
Myokines are responsible for more muscle growth and for helping to fight all of the chronic illnesses listed above, but the catch is - in order to get the full benefit of these life changing proteins we must work our body's muscles into a deep and intense fatigue. To re-phrase this plainly - In order to produce a positive adaptive response in the body we must stimulate the muscles deeply – I explain this a bit more here.
In conclusion, what is sarcopenia reversal? It is meaningful and intense muscular stimulation that challenges your body to do work past what you are currently capable. This methodology is explained in Body by Science – and puts an emphasis on safety – safe fitness training.
A lot of individuals think that intense muscular contraction is dangerous, and that assumption is not only wildly incorrect, but that thought process is actually what is dangerous to our long term health and longevity, because intense muscular contraction is exactly what our body needs to fight chronic illness and the modern epidemic of sarcopenia.
Please understand, for safety and safe fitness training, it is important to point out what kind of movements and activities are dangerous. Fast and jerky motions and movements are immensely dangerous, especially while holding weights or wearing ankle weights.
The jerky nature of ballistic movement rips apart the joints and connective tissue - these movements should be completely absent of a perfect workout program, especially for those of us with specific limitations and injuries.
An example of a dangerous training program is crossfit.
Please don't do crossfit.
It's never a question of IF you will get injured, but instead a question of WHEN you will get injured. Crossfit or other ballistic activities are not viable forms of fighting sarcopenia.
I've learned what the best sarcopenia reversal is from experience using this method with clients of all ages, all conditions, and all limitations.
We have easily been able to double the strength of individuals in a very short time who come to us in the studio , whether in their 70's , 20's, or even 90 year olds.
This is the fastest I have ever seen any strength training program reverse sarcopenia, faster than any other method I've used in all my years with the fitness industry.
In our studio we use one specific method of sarcopenia reversal that was detailed in Body by Science. Over the years this form of reversing sarcopenia has also been called Super Slow strength training or high intensity strength training.
The incredible thing about this method is that it is completely safe for everyone of all ages, and safe for anyone with extreme limitations, spinal fusions, weak and deteriorated joints, senior citizens, elderly, basically for everyone of all ages and/or chronic conditions.
The most recent evidence and clinical research shows that we can live years and years longer by using this safe fitness training method of reversing sarcopenia. That's a huge gift and blessing, and it doesn't take any more time than just 20-40 minutes a week.
Getting started and learning the method can be pretty difficult on your own, everyone seems to agree on that. So if you want to work with a safe fitness trainer who knows how to get you the results you're looking for, give us a look -
Sign up for a free session with The Perfect Workout and mention my name as your referral source. No commitment to buy anything, my mission is to help YOU to live a longer, stronger, happier, and mobile life with the power of strength training.