Can you build muscle at 70?

On Ep. 321, Peggy explains that her muscle number on the scale has gone up by about four pounds since she started tracking. She says the scale and tape measure aren't the only data that matter. She can see definition coming back in her legs and triceps, and she walks her 11-foot paddleboard seven minutes down to the lake by herself. At 70, she says she feels about 40.

In a video episode, Nikkiey follows Julie, 70, who has two partial knee replacements and scoliosis. Over four months of strength training, Julie gained muscle and got stronger, adding weight in small steps of about 2.5 to 5 pounds. Nikkiey tells her that she knows her body best and should speak up if she feels anything beyond normal muscular effort as the weight goes up. If you have joint replacements or another condition, work with your doctor on what is right for you.

If you've been told this is just a normal stage of life, these stories suggest the problem was the plan, not your age. Peggy says that if she were talking to a woman who thinks she's too old, she would start by asking about her why, whether that's keeping up with grandkids at an amusement park or something else entirely. She believes you are worth it, and that seeing someone else do it is often what helps a woman realize she can too.