Seniors, As a Physical therapist, I am pleading with you... Start this Today!

Seniors, Please Add This One Thing to Your Exercise Routine For those interested in a more comprehensive program, I’ve created a video course called “The Core-7.” In this course, I’ll guide you through the top seven fast-twitch exercises in detail. To learn more, visit thegaitwaygroup.com Erik Lehane, a dedicated physical therapist with expertise in preventive care, is the visionary founder behind The Gaitway Group (thegaitwaygroup.com). Through this venture, he empowers active seniors with the knowledge and tools to “add life to their years.” For inquiries, contact Erik at erik@eriklehane.com. As a physical therapist who’s spent over 20 years working with active seniors, I’m pleading with you: add this to your exercise routine — now. Do a squat. Now do it faster. Now even faster. Now as fast as you can. Besides revving your motor to full throttle, you’ve just recruited the most critical muscles for aging well: your type II fast-twitch muscle fibers. These powerful little fibers are your golden nuggets — they’re what allow you to rise from a chair quickly, catch yourself from a stumble, or react when life throws you off balance. Power — not just strength — is what keeps us moving safely and confidently as we age. Here’s the problem: most seniors rarely engage their fast-twitch fibers. And if we don’t use them, we lose them. That’s not just a figure of speech — it’s a hard biological truth. This loss leads directly to sarcopenia (age-related muscle decline), reduced movement quality, and a higher risk of falls and injury. But there’s good news: there’s a simple, often-overlooked way to turn the tide. It’s speed. The faster you move, the more you stimulate those fast-twitch fibers. It doesn’t mean moving recklessly — it means adding controlled bursts of velocity to your existing exercises. Especially those that use your own body weight and involve multiple joints and muscle groups. Let me break it down with a simple example: Walking = minimal fast-twitch recruitment Jogging = some Running = maximum You can apply the same concept to squats, lunges, push-ups, or even getting up off the floor. Speed is the secret sauce. Of course, safety comes first. Start slowly. Master the movement. Then gradually add speed as you gain control and stability. If your goal is to live life on your terms in your later years, prioritize exercises that preserve — and even build — your fast-twitch muscle fibers. They are your lifeline for independence, vitality, and quality of life. It’s not enough to just move. Move with purpose. Then move with speed. For those interested in a more comprehensive program, I’ve created a video course called “The Core-7.” In this course, I’ll guide you through the top seven fast-twitch exercises in detail. To learn more, visit thegaitwaygroup.com Erik Lehane, a dedicated physical therapist with expertise in preventive care, is the visionary founder behind The Gaitway Group (thegaitwaygroup.com). Through this venture, he empowers active seniors with the knowledge and tools to “add life to their years.” For inquiries, contact Erik at erik@eriklehane.com.