Studies have shown that the strength of major muscle groups has an inverse relationship with mortality in men of all ages. Furthermore, resistance training has the potential to increase bone density. Add to that the likelihood that a strong person will generally be more independent and be able to engage in more of the physical activities they love for longer, and why would anyone ever stop lifting weights?
Sure, a person who squats 400 lbs when they’re young isn’t going to squat 400 lbs at 80 years old. But if they can still squat 100 lbs or more at 80 years old they will be far better off than if they’d simply allowed entropy to set in and accepted that growing old means getting weak and frail.
And I know strength at 80 is possible. When I went to the gym in my teens, there was an elderly gentleman there who came in regularly and did squats. I can’t recall the exact weight he used, but I know there were 45 lb plates on either side of the barbell at the very least. I don’t recall that he was squatting ass to grass, but he was at least getting close to parallel. And this guy was well into his seventies if not older. He didn’t spend a lot of time in the gym, but I remember him squatting regularly. And he would do some dumbbell shoulder presses, etc., after squatting. He stuck to the basic movements and they worked.
I had a lot of respect for that old guy and will never forget him. He was a role model with his actions and showed that a man doesn’t have to wither away with age. He wasn’t hugely muscular by any means, but he had strength and was perfectly mobile. He didn’t hobble around at all (which proves that part of balance is strength). And he still had a bit of thickness to him that showed he wasn’t weak.
He just kept going to the gym. He didn’t stop so he kept his strength.
Also, my grandfather and my 80 year old uncle both experienced quick declines in health due to falls. This is so common with the elderly. And my granddad broke his hip when he fell. He was a big strong man when he was younger and he fought in WWII. But in his old age he got frail and gravity had its way with him in the end. There isn’t any guarantee that squats will prevent a fall or injury. But if one’s legs are stronger and bones are denser, at least the odds are in their favor that they’ll be less likely to fall. And if they do fall they’re less likely to break any bones. I’ll take the better odds. So my personal plan is to get as strong as I can while I’m still young, and then maintain it for as long as I can. I plan to squat until I die. Even if I’m just squatting the bar.
Of course, this isn’t meant to put down the elderly who do grow old and frail. Honestly, most of society doesn’t even know any better. And the vast majority of people never strength train in their youth, let alone old age. Unfortunately it’s just not that common despite the benefits. But for those in the know, why not plan for personal independence when older. Why not expect to still be able to hike, or bike, or even get up off of the ground with relative ease. Maybe that’s easier said than done, but I’m going to try and test the thesis that it’s possible. And I’ve seen it before. More than once.