Most average adults think that weightlifting amounts to nothing more than meatheads screaming in gym. The effects go much further. The average adult can expect to gain approximately 1 pound of fat every year between ages 30 to 60, and lose about a half pound of muscle each year over that same time span. That’s a 15 pound loss of muscle and a 30 pound gain in fat!
These age-related changes in body composition have major metabolic repercussions. By virtue of its mass and mitochondrial content, muscle is the largest site of lipid oxidation (fat utilization).
This means that muscle not only plays an integral role in burning fat for fuel, it also maintains healthy blood lipid profiles (lipoproteins and triglycerides) that prevent cardiovascular disease.
Weight training preserves and builds valuable muscle mass to help fight this process. Even better news comes from a recent study that showed weight training boosts mitochondrial activity in muscle cells to improve energy production.
The mitochondria in cells convert the fat, carbohydrates and protein we eat into usable energy. This research showed that weight training in older adults (over 55 years) up regulated gene activity associated with better mitochondrial function.
Training regularly with weights enables our cells’ mitochondria to produce energy more efficiently from the foods we eat.
Live longer with more vitality. If that isn’t a great reason to sign up for the free Max-OT weight training program I don’t know what is.
Source: J Card Fail. 13(2):79-85, 2007.
