Never Too Late to Build Strength

 

 

At what point are you too old to build muscle and strength? Apparently never. A 2019 study in the UK suggests exactly the opposite. 

Older people who have never taken part in sustained exercise programs have the same ability to build muscle mass as highly trained master athletes of a similar age, according to new research at the University of Birmingham. In the study, seven lifelong athletes and eight non-exercisers (all men age 60 to 80) did the same weight training routine. Researchers completed muscle biopsies that showed that both groups were equally able to add muscle mass and strength.

"Our study clearly shows that it doesn't matter if you haven't been a regular exerciser throughout your life, you can still derive benefit from exercise whenever you start," says lead researcher, Dr Leigh Breen. "Obviously a long term commitment to good health and exercise is the best approach to achieve whole-body health, but even starting later on in life will help delay age-related frailty and muscle weakness."

If that doesn't convince you, check out Joan Macdonald's experience. She started lifting weights at age 71.

You can make excuses, or you can make progress. You can't do both.