Why Train?
Did you know:
Studies consistently show that lower skeletal muscle mass is an independent risk factor for higher all-cause mortality: meaning a reduced amount of muscle is linked to a greater likelihood of death from any cause.
Women start losing lean muscle mass from the age of 30. Throw in perimenopause and menopause symptoms and the huge hormone shifts that come with these years (I find it disappointing how such little research has been done around the menopause: something which 50% of the population will experience), and it is easy to feel that we are on a losing battle with having a positive relationship with our bodies.
By the time we are 60, we could stand to lose up to 8% of our muscle mass every decade. This is not to depress and scaremonger, it is about having the information to make informed decisions on how to promote our health, and wellbeing in its entirety.
However, the good news is that the loss of lean muscle mass can be reversed and slowed with regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Muscle mass plays a vital role in our overall health and wellbeing:
Muscle mass often plays an under appreciated role in improved metabolic health and reduced disease risk. Muscle mass is integral to our metabolism. Skeletal muscle is our main reservoir for the uptake of glucose. The more muscle we have, the higher our resting metabolic rate. This is important to mitigate the risk of diseases as we age such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Training provides significant benefits for heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Training and functional fitness not only ensures that we maintain lean muscle mass and mobility, but it also helps build stronger bones. Having stronger bones helps reduce the risk of injury from falls and osteoporosis.
We have all heard that exercise can boost mood due to the endorphins that it releases (training for me is as much about promoting my mental wellbeing as it is about my physical fitness and general wellbeing). However (and here’s the wild bit), research shows training enhances the brain’s neuroplasticity on a cellular level and can therefore prevent or delay cognitive decline and dementia as we age.
It is never too early or late to start working in partnership with your body, celebrating what it can do and ensuring you can still do what you enjoy in your 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond.
Where I come in:
Roots Fitness is a safe space to grow in confidence - there are no judgements here! I take my coaching seriously, but definitely don’t take myself seriously! Ultimately you need to have fun, enjoy your sessions and feel (and see) change. I also know what it feels like to be balancing many plates: I provide a unique coaching space in a beautiful setting that allows you some deserved ‘you-time’. Whilst largely centred around functional fitness, my coaching will be personalised to you and your realistic long-term goals. Don’t be fooled by the serene surroundings, we will work as hard as you need where appropriate and within your capabilities.
