It is about building CAPABILITY!!
The hottest topic in the wellness space right now is MUSCLE-CENTRIC Health and Longevity!
Muscle is Medicine.
The battle against sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass as a result of the aging process, is in full force! Boomers and Gen X-ers everywhere are finally understanding the assignment and are starting to seek out studios and gyms that offer strength-training options for them – and experienced , tuned-in trainers that know how to help them build a stronger, more mobile, highly-functional body.
So, you see, as a fitness and wellness professional, I’ve known this for years and years. Unfortunately, it has taken all those years for main-stream media and advice to catch up. The buzz is loud right now – the right people are talking about it – and people (ages 35-75) are finally listening.
It’s not an option. Strength training is a necessity.
And if you aren’t doing it – you are contributing to your demise – instead of ensuring your longevity.
Our bodies have take a beating in the first 35 years of life –
and the beating continues for the next 40 years! How you handle the later 40 years is really up to you!
THINK about what your body has already done and been through –
Shit, lifting weights is gonna be the fun part!!
Here’s the thing, though – a lot of people are intimidated by the thought of doing “weight lifting”. They don’t know what exercises to do, they don’t know proper lifting form, they don’t have a safe place to START – so it’s just easier to forget about it. Until you can’t afford to…
In the past 5 years alone, we have seen an influx in people between the ages of 40 and 60 who are just sick and tired of being overweight, immobile, tired, stiff, bloated, and in pain. It is so fulfilling and joyful when we see these same people start a plan, stick to the schedule and start to see their functional, real-life strength improve. We see their sleep get better. We see their bodies get leaner. We see their moods improve. We see and hear about how they are really starting to enjoy their lives more because they can move freely, with confidence and strength.
You know, the old school mentality around lifting weight is that it’s just for the “meatheads” and it will make women “bulky”. I am happy to say that on any given day our lifting floor is filled with professional men who care more about being strong and fit instead of flexing in the mirror – filled with busy women who know that their time on the weight room floor is building a bulletproof body that can withstand all that is coming at her each day (and if the truth be told, making her as mentally tough as she is physically tough).
STRONG is the goal.
BMF is helping our members build and maintain lean muscle mass through all stages of their lives!
We are beyond proud to say that BMF has had a progressive strength-training program on our schedule for the past 10 YEARS! We have had our finger on the pulse way longer than any other specialty training facility in Spring!
Strength-Training isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience.
When starting a ST program, you need a trainer and a studio/gym that will:
- Meet you where you are currently and have a clear path for you to progress
- Assess you for muscle compensations and weaknesses along with determining if you are moving with any pain
- Focus on form FIRST – weight selections SECOND
- Apply corrective exercise training techniques that focus on any muscular weaknesses.
- NOT expect you to progress too quickly – good things take time! (Should you be the person who does indeed progress quicker than others – then that’s a bonus…my point is, they and you should have patience when it comes to transforming your body).
Strength-Training should not be THE solo effort in building a stronger body.
You will absolutely need to combine your new ST program with:
- A calorie and macro appropriate eating plan – a plan filled with whole, healthy foods that FUEL YOUR PERFORMANCE in and out of the gym – not only the right foods, but in the right quantities for what you do each day
- Proper hydration – this is a BIG DEAL! So many people live their lives in a state of slight dehydration – which can lead to a whole host of issues.
- Adequate and Quality Sleep (THIS is a topic for a whole other blog!!)
- Smart Supplementation
- Strategic Recovery
Too often when people realize that they need to “do something” they make their way to the local $10 a month gym – without any direction, vulnerable to promises of a quick fix, and pressured into purchasing training packages and supplement bundles that are unnecessary and sometimes potentially dangerous.
If you are still reading – let me offer some advice. Now, please take this advice from the person in me who has BEEN exactly where you are – not the trainer and gym owner that I am today –
The advice I would give you, now that you’ve decided to start moving and making your health a priority is this:
- PAY for what you are worth and what they are worth!! Cheap programs are usually shit. Discounted training sessions are going to pair you with a trainer who is more interested in cranking out 15 clients a day doing the same redundant, ineffective workout with absolutely NO personal direction to help you reach your goals.
- SET realistic goals and don’t expect things to shape up over night. Your body deserves the time and attention it will take to see changes happen.
- FIGURE OUT who you really are and what you really want. Don’t waste your time or the trainer’s time if you aren’t really ready to do the work it takes. For example: If you aren’t willing to give up Friday Funday Tacos and Margaritas for a bit, don’t commit to a strict nutrition plan. If you aren’t willing to get up at 4am to go to the gym, don’t promise that you will. If you aren’t willing to take the task seriously – work on your mindset until you are – then begin. You will get SOOOOOO much more out of the program when you’re really ready.
- BE PROUD of yourself. Stop with the negative self-talk and be proud of the fact that you are making YOU first on your to-do list each day!
- BEHAVE like the person you want to become. Recognize that the fit, lean people you admire and wish you looked/performed/acted like are putting in the fucking work – Every. Single. Day. And, without a doubt, you CAN do the same and get the same outcome.
So, yeah, it’s not just about burning calories anymore – if you are focused on a strong, healthy body and a long, happy, functional and fit life – shift your mindset to what you’re training your body to DO instead of just how it LOOKS.
But, it sure will be fun celebrating the irony of it all when your new health- focused mindset produces the smokin’ hot bod you’ve always dreamed of!
Interested in learning more? BOOK A FREE CONSULT WITH US HERE!
