Between 1980 and 2010, the number of 100-year-olds increased 66 percent. Baby boomers are now ages 52 to 70. By 2029, more than 20 percent of Americans will be over 65.
Visualize for a moment doing the kinds of things you did as a young man.
You threw footballs, caught Frisbees, climbed trees, jumped over things, rolled and tumbled and generally speaking, took it all for granted.
Fast-forward 40 years and you’re lucky to drag your butt out of bed without pulling your back out.
Enter functional training.
Dan Ritchie co-founded Functional Aging Institute, which teaches fitness professionals how to train mature clients. Functional fitness means movements that help you in everyday life. Think cross-body and full-body motions, bending or picking something up off the floor. The goal is to build a body capable of real-life activities.
When I look at older guys in my gym, most appear to be one hell of a lot older then they actually are.
This is because they are a hell of a lot older then they should be for their age.
Many have forgotten how to do the things they used to do, while the rest have resigned themselves to the misconception that life robbed them blind while they were working and raising families.
In a way this is true.
Life only gives back what you put in. It doesn’t care what you do or how you do it. It’s just a bystander.
If you don’t care, it doesn’t care. Cause and effect. Period.
So it’s up to you to make the most of what’s left of your life, which could very well be a lot longer than you think – or longer than you’re prepared to endure.
Get a grip and take control of your health.
Your self-esteem will thank you.
Fact:
1] The number of Americans 62 and older is growing, with most of the increase expected by 2030.
2] Americans ages 62-plus have a net worth 40 percent higher than that age group did 25 years ago.
3] They don’t want to get old and sit around to die, otherwise known as dying in slow motion. They want to go on adventures, live life to the fullest.
And since they can afford to — if they have the functional capacity – most guys I know are now adding functional training to their psychotherapy regimen.