Sometimes a little inspiration will go a long way. Losing focus, tired, not sure what to do next? Take a step back and observe others who seem to operate at an extremely high level.
How do they do it? Cameron Hanes is someone who has the unique ability to inspire and help others find determination in their health and fitness goals.
Let me say it another way; he’s an animal. He appears to be a simple guy with a simple message. He lifts weights, runs, and loves to bow hunt. And also happens to be really, really good at all three.
Cameron Hanes has a massive social media and online following because he walks the walk. I’ve been a huge fan of his for years now, and I can think of numerous times I’ve felt worn out and unmotivated, only to watch one of his videos and instantly spring back into action.
The next time you feel like you can’t go for another run, and maybe you should just throw your feet up, check out a few Cam Hanes videos.
He’ll make you reconsider giving up on the day. He’s a beast, and also seems like a really genuine person to go with it.
Lifting Heavy Weights and Aging Well
One of the best things you can do for yourself as you grow older is lift heavy weights. There are countless benefits to staying active as you age, and lifting weights is a crucial component.
Not only will you gain strength and muscle mass, but your emotional well-being will improve along with your confidence and energy levels.
New studies have been published showing correlations between lifting heavy weights and aging well, and researchers have never been more convinced of its importance.
Sustaining Muscles
First, let’s look at the importance of maintaining and growing muscles as you age. By the time you reach your mid 30’s, muscle mass will begin to decrease.
Along with reduced muscle mass is also a reduction in strength and mobility. Some people who are on a strength training program will even experience decreased muscle mass as they get into their 30s and 40s.
As people age, they will experience sarcopenia, which causes weakness and loss of stamina. Sarcopenia does not only reach inactive people but also people who stay physically active.
A reduction in nerve cells connecting the brain to muscles and the decreased ability to turn protein into energy are a few symptoms. Sarcopenia will also cause lower growth hormone, testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor.
The best way to combat sarcopenia and its effects is weight training and resistance exercises. A study published in The American Journal of Medicine reported sedentary adults older than 50 years of age could lose up to .4 pounds a year of muscle mass.
The loss worsens as you age beyond 50.
Many leading health researchers have confirmed the importance of maintaining and even growing muscles as you move beyond 50 and 60 years of age.
Scientists found that after 18 to 20 weeks of resistance training, an adult can increase lean muscle mass by 2.5 pounds and their overall strength by 30 percent.
Another important fact that many people fail to realize about strength training is that healthy muscles cause strong bones.
As people age, the loss of mobility severely impacts the quality of life, and the danger of life-threatening injury increases dramatically. Strong bones help reduce the risk of fracture and bone breaks.
The reduction in osteoporosis risk is a massive benefit to increasing muscle and bone strength. Roughly two million fractures are reported each year due to osteoporosis with hip fractures as the most severe injury.
Sixty percent of people with hip fractures never regain their previous level of mobility. This points to strengthening muscle and, therefore, of the utmost importance the older you get.
Emotionally Fit
More than 300 million people worldwide battle the effects of depression. Loss of enjoyment, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, and reduced energy are a few symptoms people struggle with every day.
As people grow older, they are no less susceptible to depression than the younger crowd. Multiple studies have shown that moderate-intensity weight training led to small but essential reductions in symptoms of anxiety.
Other studies have concluded that resistance training significantly reduced depression symptoms, especially in people with mild or moderate depression.
Confidence Boost
A study from researchers in Finland at the University of Jyvaskyla discovered that confidence increased in older people who were studied over six months.
After six months, the group was told they were on their own to do what they wanted and would need to find their own facilities if they wanted to continue to work out.
After another six months, the researchers conducted interviews with the group and found that nearly half of the volunteers were still lifting weights at least once a week.
Also discovered was the lack of correlation between the amount of muscle gain and whether the volunteer was to continue on a lifting program or not.
The people who gained the most muscle mass were not necessarily those who were sticking with the plan. People developed the confidence to continue a strength training routine without guidance from researchers.
It was reported that the strength training program had given them a renewed sense of confidence in their physical abilities outside the gym.
Whatever the motivation for strength training as we grow older, the importance has been revealed in study after study.
Lifting heavy weights and aging well have been proven to be complementary for quite some time. With each new study concluding the importance of muscle strength, it’s apparent this should continue to be a focus for people as they age.
