Yes, we naturally lose muscle as we age — but how much strength and capability we retain is not entirely predetermined by our age.
As we get older, maintaining muscle becomes increasingly important — not because we need to become bodybuilders, but because strength helps us keep doing the ordinary things that make up our lives.
Getting out of a chair. Carrying the shopping. Climbing stairs. Gardening. Travelling. Staying steady on our feet.
In fact, carrying the shopping is something our Over 60s Wellness Ambassador has already demonstrated for us — a very ordinary everyday task, but also a good example of why maintaining strength matters as we get older.
Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength is known as sarcopenia, and it becomes more common as we age.
The good news is that our muscles don't simply stop responding because we've reached a certain birthday.
We can continue to build and maintain strength well into later life.
You only have to look at people such as Joan MacDonald — better known as Train With Joan — who began transforming her health and strength in her 70s and has become a wonderful example of what can be possible in later life.
Of course, we don't all need — or want — to train like Joan.
The goal can be much simpler:
To be strong enough to keep doing the things we want to do.
Because maintaining muscle isn't really about having bigger muscles.
It's about maintaining our independence, capability and choices as we age.