Around this time of year, my parents, who are in their early 70’s, like to come visit us in New England for a week or two. My family loves hosting, and even though it’s a chaotic time of year with summer ending and everyone heading back to school, it’s something we look forward to. I’m sure many other athletes at Tradewinds have experienced this before or are currently going through it with their own families or loved ones: Year by year, amidst the joy of a family visit, we are also faced with the reality of chronic illnesses, mobility issues, and the challenge of planning activities around varying physical limitations and conditions. And year by year, the issues get worse and it’s a very sobering situation to watch your family members age and struggle with their health. It really gets me thinking about how casual I can be about my own strength and fitness journey. The moment I get busy in life, my routine at the gym tends to take the back burner, without so much as a thought towards the long term consequences. Seeing my own family members’ very real struggles with mobility reminds me of just what a gift movement is. And I’m reminded that the work we put in now is insurance to be paid out later in life.
We often think about fitness in terms of our immediate goals; a more toned appearance, weightlifting personal records, or weight loss. But there’s a deeper reason to stay active now: to protect our independence, vitality, and quality of life as we age.
At Tradewinds Fitness, we believe that what we do today directly shapes the way we’ll move, live, and feel decades from now, as well as how we move, live and feel today. Working on improving our strength and mobility now are our actual future lifelines for a fit and healthy senior lifestyle.
Strength
Studies show that after the age of 30, we naturally begin to lose muscle mass, especially if we’re inactive. By the time we reach our 60’s or 70’s, this loss can seriously impact our balance, coordination, and ability to perform everyday tasks.
That’s where strength training comes in. Regular, intentional resistance workouts like the ones we practice daily at Tradewinds:
- Preserve and build lean muscle
- Boost our metabolism
- Improve joint stability and bone density
- Reduce the risk of falls and fractures by improving balance and stability
Mobility
Mobility is the foundation of functional movement. It’s not just about flexibility; it’s about our body’s ability to move freely and efficiently through its full range of motion. Poor mobility can lead to compensation patterns, stiffness, pain, and increased injury risk.
Working on mobility now means:
- Easier movement in daily life (getting up from the floor, tying your shoes, reaching overhead)
- Fewer aches and pains as we age
- Improved performance in workouts and other recreational activities
- Greater independence later in life
Start Now, Thank Yourself Later
You don’t need to hit the gym for hours each day or let negative thoughts of future abilities scare you into inaction. A well-balanced, consistent routine that includes:
- Resistance training (using weights, bands, or bodyweight)
- Mobility and flexibility work (like dynamic stretches and functional, compound movements)
- Cardiovascular activity (walking, jogging, rowing, stationary bike; anything to get that heart pumping)
- Recovery and rest to enable our bodies to perform our next workout without too much pain or stiffness
If we work to make these activities a consistent part of our current routines, they will make a profound difference in our long-term health, strength and mobility.
Ready to take action on your long-term health? Reach out to us today!
