The body normally degrades as a person reaches the later years, but some people defy that by training their bodies to be more fit — and in some cases, achieve a very lithe figure. The road to that can be long and hard, but part of that endeavour may be possible through our reverse mortgage.
Inspiration
A look at some elderly Australians at near-peak health and form may provide some inspiration.
Raymond Moon
Gold Coast native Raymond Moon was in his 70s when former Mr. Universe Graeme Lancefield gave him ideas about joining competitive bodybuilding after surviving a bout with bladder cancer. Moon trained under Lancefield and won multiple Victoria and Australian bodybuilding titles, plus a 2014 Guinness World Record as the oldest male competitive bodybuilder at 84 (surpassed by Jim Arrington in 2017 at 85 years). Sadly, the cancer came back and he passed away in early 2020 at 90 years old.
Janice Lorraine
Now pushing 80 years old, Lorraine started training back in the 1990s, beginning with aerobics and weight resistance training as a warmup to full bodybuilding. That effort has paid off with 13 international titles, in competitions where some of her fellow contestants are roughly half her age. She says her performance is a challenge for seniors to live the life they choose and not see age as a hindrance.
Kay Wiseman
A 64-year-old bodybuilder and fitness trainer from Maroochydore, Wiseman first took up bodybuilding at 47 years old, based on over a decade in weight training and the physical demand of military service. Her drive at bodybuilding came from family support and a desire to break out of her shell.
Before going forward getting fit …
Before any serious physical training can get underway, it is important to consult your GP first and to undergo a full medical checkup as well. The consultation and checkup will detail items important to your programme such as your muscle mass, heart health, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Take note that in older age, the impulses the body sends to the muscles to grow more mass after exercise are not as strong as they were in earlier years. This may require exerting more energy to keep up the tempo in training.
The push
A training programme’s initial moves would be to practise stretching exercises to prepare the muscles and joints. To familiarise the body with the more strenuous demands of bodybuilding, you must undertake cardio exercises such as aerobics, brisk walking, or jogging. Core exercises even work for seniors in terms of improved posture, balance, and better breathing control.
There will be some drastic lifestyle changes if you are to commit yourself to serious exercise drills. Some health experts maintain that in the case of bodybuilding for seniors, a protein-rich diet mixed with vegetables and low-salt food items are a good starting point. Food that is rich in calcium and Vitamin D to help the body absorb the calcium works well to prevent bone fractures and osteoporosis. If you have vices such as smoking or alcohol, you could be advised to let them go; they are notorious for damaging lung functions.
Pounding the heavy iron
If you are starting out on a bodybuilding programme, a loved one or a personal trainer accompanying you in your session may advise you to warm up and proceed with certain weight machines, governed by the number of reps and the suggested weight limit. The programme will also factor in rest periods to help your heart rate simmer down and for you to rehydrate between workouts.
Your companion will also be your spotter, ensuring you can lift the weights safely and in proper form. Only when you have comfortably lifted a set weight and in injury-free form can the training go to an incrementally higher level.
Be well and better
A seniors bodybuilding programme packs more benefits aside from achieving a well-toned shape and form. On the mental health side, the exercises will help reduce signs of depression and anxiety, and bolster confidence and positive self-reception.
Your cardiovascular system will also have more capability to stop inflammation while also reducing blood pressure. A regulated workout over time can also contribute to losing more weight, increase bone mass density, and reduce the associated strain on your joints to make them more flexible.
ASAG supports your goal of getting fit
Discussions with a reverse mortgage service like the ASAG Reverse Mortgage may finance some aspects of your Day-to-Day Expenses, which may include your physical fitness expenses.
The funds to be made available upon approval of the loan can be invested on training-related items such as gym memberships and a personal trainer, supplements, safety gear, and medical expenses. In some cases, you might consider setting aside space at home to build a gym and plan for the equipment you need.
Some myths on physical fitness revolve on claims that old people “can’t hit the gym” or are too “frail” to exercise. You can break that perception and prove everybody wrong by being in the best shape of your life. Call ASAG at 1300 002 724 or email us at info@asagfirst.com.au for your enquiries about our equity release solutions.
You may also get started and do your own equity assessment by using our tool below.