Am I too old to build muscle? What does science say about this?

In a way, most people see bodybuilding as an activity practically exclusively for young people and solely for aesthetic purposes. Thus, it is common for older people to ask themselves: am I too old to do bodybuilding? To answer this question, you need to understand what sarcopenia is.

Sarcopenia and the need for bodybuilding

Do not do bodybuilding it is not just the guarantee of a more pleasant aesthetic for young people. In fact, it is a way to guarantee muscle mass, which is very important for our physical mobility.

In addition, bodybuilding helps to avoid muscle pain, chronic diseases, fracture risk and many other problems that can intensify with age.

You have to consider sarcopenia. This consists of the natural process of loss of muscle mass over the years and intensifies as we enter old age. Thus, elderly people go through a process of very large loss of muscle mass, which increases pain and the risk of fractures.

Therefore, the recommendation of doctors and specialists is bodybuilding throughout life to create a substantial reserve of muscle mass.

It is essential that this bodybuilding process continues during old age. Even if there was no previous bodybuilding when younger, an older person can and should start practicing in old age.

Weight loss and exercise

Some people are in doubt about the bodybuilding process when they receive a prescription to lose weight from their doctor. After all, will bodybuilding get in the way of weight loss?

By no means, since aerobic exercises and bodybuilding complement each other. Including, you need to maintain bodybuilding during weight loss so as not to influence muscle mass loss.

That said, the recommendation is that older people maintain a bodybuilding routine that doesn't need to be intense. On the contrary, there is nothing wrong with developing a routine that involves lower weights and at a less intense pace than young people. The important thing is to be constant.