3 Reasons To Train Like An Athlete At Any Age

We all know that exercise is good for us. Even a light routine can work wonders, whether or not you’re trying to shed pounds. But if you want the absolute best results, train like an athlete. Obviously, any exercise is better than no exercise. Compared to active people, a sedentary person is 4.5 times more likely to die from an early death.

Moderate physical activity has profound benefits.¹ So why train like an athlete? It’s all about the mindset. Establishing discipline and routines will make exercise a regular part of your life. No matter how old you are, adopting the athlete mentality will offer these three benefits.

Benefits Of Training Like An Athlete

1. Athletic Training Increases Life Expectancy

[pullquote]Every year, 610,000 people die of heart-related problems. That’s 1 in every 4 people![/pullquote]

Longevity doesn’t depend on a magic potion or secret trick. It’s about taking care of your heart. According to the world health organization, heart problems are the leading cause of death in the world. Ischemic heart disease and stroke take first and second place. This hasn’t changed in the past 15 years.² In America, the rates are just as shocking. Heart disease kills more men and women than any other disease.³

With such high death rates, heart disease is no joke. However, training like an athlete will give you the upper hand. Exercise is one of the best ways to protect the heart. It controls weight and decreases blood pressure, so your heart won’t have to work so hard. Regular activity also reduces “bad” LDL and total cholesterol while increasing “good” HDL cholesterol.⁴

Moderate exercise has a profound effect, so imagine what training like an athlete can do? It’s never too late to treat your heart well. Exercise can improve cardiac function and blood flow, even in older adults.⁵ Interestingly, the greatest effects are seen in people who are typically inactive, proving it’s never too late.⁶

2. Athletic Training Increases Movement

Bones help us move around. If they aren’t in good shape, everyday tasks will be difficult. Cooking, carrying groceries, and cleaning are just a few examples. Yet, as we age, bone problems can dampen our independence. The most common bone disease is osteoporosis, a bone-weakening condition marked by low bone density. It also increases the chances for fractures and injuries.

Over 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, while another 44 million have low bone density. It’s more common in women, especially after menopause. One in 2 women and 1 in 4 men will break a bone – because of osteoporosis – at some point in their life.⁷ By training like an athlete, you can avoid being one of those people. Regular strength-training is key. It re-balances osteoclasts and osteoblasts, two bone cells needed for bone formation. This can prevent osteoporosis before it even starts.⁸

If you already have osteoporosis, there’s still hope. Exercise is a major part of management – regardless of how old you are. In fact, when combined with calcium and vitamin D supplementation, exercise lowers the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women. It’s significantly more powerful than supplementation alone.⁹

3. Athletic Training Increases Power

Muscle is also needed for everyday independence. Most importantly, it prevents the risk of falling. Even if you do slip, muscle strength will reduce the chances of getting hurt.¹⁰ It’s the best way to avoid injuries that can lead to life-altering disability. If you trip and fall, is your body prepared? By training like an athlete, you can be sure that it is.

Again, it’s about strength training workouts. These exercises will improve balance, coordination, mobility while building strength. It’ll help your bones and muscle, providing extra protection against falls. For example, The Journals of Gerontology shares that peak muscle power is closely linked to the independence of elderly women. Leg power has the strongest impact.¹¹ It’s a pretty good reason to do a few extra reps.

This doesn’t mean you need to become a bodybuilder, though. The CDC recommends strength training at least twice a week.¹² Aiming for athlete-level status will have even more benefits.

If you’re just starting out, go easy on yourself. You won’t train like an athlete overnight. Instead, think of it as a goal that you can work toward. The gradual improvement will have amazing benefits – no matter your age.