Smoothing creams, trendy injections or supplements supposed to regenerate the body: the promise of slowed aging is exploding on the networks. Peptides like BPC-157, nicknamed “Wolverine shot”, or the growth peptides CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are sold as passports to stay young, while the evidence remains fragile, recalls Inserm.
The real good news is that a tool already exists to act on muscles, bones and metabolism: bodybuilding. “Bodybuilding is the fountain of youth“, says Abby Bales, founder of Reform Physical Therapy, in Women’s Health. Weight training helps maintain bone density, regulate blood sugar and keep you energized for a long time.
Why bodybuilding acts like a real fountain of youth
With age, performance declines from age 40 among regular athletes and around age 35 among less trained athletes, with a sharper drop after age 65. Dr Noakes believes that without
strength trainingmuscle mass decreases by around 15% per decade after the age of 50, which weakens daily movements and balance.
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, the
resistance training helps maintain bone density and prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis, two major causes of fractures in seniors. Work cited in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience
also suggest that this training could delay the onset of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and certain dementias, by preserving strength, coordination and daily activity.
Peptides and miracle shots for anti-aging bodybuilding
Inserm researchers point out that growth peptides such as CJC-1295, Ipamorelin or GHRP-6, like BPC-157 nicknamed “Wolverine shot”, have not been validated by large clinical trials for gaining muscle or rejuvenating. Taken without medical supervision, they can disrupt hormones, increase blood sugar, cause joint pain and water retention. “Peptides are neither a miracle cure for all ills nor an elixir of youth. In the end, no miracle molecule replaces a balanced lifestyle!“, summarizes Canal Détox, while several are already on the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
How to start anti-aging bodybuilding at any age
For Patricia Greaves, sports coach, the initial objective must be “to learn movement patterns, not to prove anything“. She advises starting with body weight or dumbbells of 1 to 1.5 kg for the top and 2 to 3.5 kg for the bottom, working on squats, lunges, pull-ups and inclined push-ups, two to three times 30 minutes per week.
When 10 to 12 repetitions become easy with good technique, Patricia Greaves recommends increasing the loads by 1 to 2 kg and temporarily increasing to 6 to 8 repetitions. Rest”is not optional, as it is during recovery that strength is actually built“: she recommends 7 to 9 hours of sleep and meals providing 20 to 30 g of protein. “Results usually appear within six to eight weeks“, finally explains Abby Bales, if we remain regular.