Most people don’t think about their body’s pension… until they’re already spending it.
I’ve got to that stage in life where I realised I haven’t been putting enough into my financial pension to be able to enjoy my later years, and now I’m having to play catch up!
And this can be true for your Movement Pension too!
Think of your body as a job; one day, it will retire and start to draw on the reserves you have built up – the more you’ve contributed to your Movement Pension by doing good mobility, strength & stability training while you’re younger, the less aches, pains and issues you will have and the more enjoyable your retirement will be.
It’s easy to get started, no matter what age you are! we can take the principles of a normal pension, and apply them to your Movement Pension! Here’s how your Movement Pension can help you, and some ways you can start building it!
1. Early Investments Grow Over Time
The sooner you start investing, the more compound interest works in your favor.
The sooner you begin strength, stability, and mobility training, the more physical “interest” you gain:
- Stronger bones,
- Better balance,
- Healthier joints,
- Resilient muscles that can tolerate more!
Example:
Building bone density via building strength in your 20’s-40’s creates a “bone wealth” reserve that slows the effects of age-related bone loss and wear and tear.
Building bone density via building strength in your 20’s-40’s creates a “bone wealth” reserve that slows the effects of age-related bone loss and wear and tear.
It’s ALWAYS easier the earlier you start, but it’s never too late to start! The best time to start is right now.
2. You Build Reserves for Tough Times
Savings protect you during unexpected expenses later in life.
Physical reserves protect you during setbacks like:
- Injuries,
- Illness,
- Age-related decline
Example:
Stronger muscles and healthier joints mean that if you get injured at 70, you’re bouncing back from a higher baseline, not starting from zero!! Especially if you get an illness or injury that has you bed-bound for multiple weeks, that can have a serious impact on your health if it takes you longer to recover.
Stronger muscles and healthier joints mean that if you get injured at 70, you’re bouncing back from a higher baseline, not starting from zero!! Especially if you get an illness or injury that has you bed-bound for multiple weeks, that can have a serious impact on your health if it takes you longer to recover.
It’s the aftermath of a bad fall that takes the toll long term, not just the fall itself. Falls don’t end independence, slow recoveries do.
3. Neglect Has a Cost
If you don’t contribute, you feel the loss later. Instead of hitting that Caribbean cruise, you’re eating tinned tuna and wondering if you can put the heating on.
If you skip regular movement practice, there’s far less reserves to for you to “withdraw” from your physical reserves earlier than you want, leading to:
- Weak stabilizing muscles
- Stiffer joints
- Reduced balance
- Lower energy
Example:
Instead of playing with the grandkids in the park, you’re sitting in the car because your hip hurts, you can’t make it up the hill… and you need a nap. But doing simple daily movements can contribute you can mitigate so many issues without doing extreme workouts (this is why we built the Simplistic Mobility Method)
4. Small, Consistent Contributions Beat Big, Sporadic Ones
Automatic monthly deposits grow steadily,even if they’re small
Your body values consistency, not just a burst of motivation for one month and then nothing for the next eleven. Keep your mobility work realistic for YOUR schedule so that you can stick to it!
Make it manageable enough so that it just becomes something you do and don’t even think about.
Example:
5-15 minutes per day of stretching, mobility, or strength work gives more long-term benefits than occasional intense efforts.
A body that moves regularly is better at moving, often which means you can do more & more.
5. Diversification Matters
A good portfolio balances stocks, bonds, and savings. If something takes a wobbler, you’ve still other elements to prop things up!
A good body balances:
- Strength
- Mobility/flexibility
- Stability/balance
Example:
Focusing on only one is like putting all your money in a single investment, you’re exposed to risk! Don’t JUST lift weights or JUST stretch, take all 3 seriously and include a bit of each in your training (even if you still mostly do the one you enjoy)!
Focusing on only one is like putting all your money in a single investment, you’re exposed to risk! Don’t JUST lift weights or JUST stretch, take all 3 seriously and include a bit of each in your training (even if you still mostly do the one you enjoy)!
6. You Want to Live Off the Interest, Not the Principal
Good planning allows you to enjoy life without running out of savings too soon.
Good training allows you to enjoy movement, traveling, play, and independence in older age without feeling like your body is “running out.”
- Strong legs make stairs easy
- Flexible hips make getting up from the floor effortless.
- Good balance reduces fall risk
These are your “interest payments” in older age.
Example:
You don’t want to be running at your 100% effort all the time and burning through your main reserves. If you’re staying active, you’re able to keep topping up your movement pension as you go, meaning you’ve always got a bit left in the tank for when the unexpected stuff happens!
7. It Buys Independence
A large pension gives freedom of choice later in life.
Strength and mobility give you autonomy doing anything you want! From getting out of chairs & carrying groceries to playing with grandkids, to travelling!
Movement reserves protect your independence, which is priceless.
Example:
When I’m older I don’t want to have to turn down experiences because I couldn’t handle the trip. My aim is to build up my Movement Pension so much that I will walk the legs off everyone around me and probably get a handstand picture too!
–
So there you have it! Hopefully some ideas for thinking about your future self!
On a serious note, learning how to look after my joints, a little bit about eating properly, and stress management has had the most positive impact on my life in the past 10 years. I am a better person because of it and don’t regret any of the time spent learning this stuff!
If you have been wanting to start taking more care of yourself and still haven’t started, make today the day! Don’t go back to scrolling on your phone and say you’ll start tomorrow!
You’re already withdrawing from your Movement Pension. The only question is whether you’re contributing too.
[Photo by Wedding Dreamz on Unsplash.]