Why Strength & Balance Matter at Every Stage of Life

By CFIT Coaching

There’s a powerful visual I often share in my presentations—it shows two curves over the lifespan. One represents people who stay active, regularly train for strength and balance, and maintain their health well into older age. The other? A gradual but steady decline that dips below the “disability threshold” far too early. That image comes straight from research by Skelton & Mavroeidi (2018), and it perfectly captures the message we live by at CFIT: Stronger for Life.

What the Research Shows

This study breaks down how muscle and bone strengthening—along with balance training—can influence the entire course of your life. From childhood to old age, what you do with your body matters. It’s not just about fitness in your 20s or aesthetics in your 30s. It’s about function, independence, and resilience in your 60s, 70s, and beyond.

The researchers outline that while a natural decline in muscle mass and balance ability is part of ageing, it’s not inevitable to end up frail or inactive. The key difference lies in whether or not we train.

Critical Life Stages

They highlight several "tipping points" across life that can accelerate physical decline—like menopause, retirement, caring responsibilities, and illness. But the truth is, if you build a strong foundation earlier in life—and keep training—you’ll buffer against those drops.

That’s why CFIT programs don’t just chase fat loss or short-term goals. We build lasting strength, balance, and confidence for whatever life throws at you—whether that’s running after toddlers, managing stress during perimenopause, or staying upright in your 80s.

Why This Matters

Losing strength and balance doesn’t just mean you lift less in the gym—it means:

  • You’re more likely to fall.
  • You might recover slower from illness.
  • Everyday tasks can feel harder than they should.

But the flip side? Training just twice a week can make a dramatic difference in how you age.

Stronger for Life Isn’t a Slogan. It’s a Strategy.

At CFIT, we coach women through every chapter—from postpartum recovery to peri/menopause and beyond—so you can keep moving, lifting, and living on your terms.

We don’t train to burn calories—we train to stay strong, steady, and capable for life.

Want to build strength that lasts a lifetime?
Check out our app-based strength coaching, in-person sessions, and community meet-ups. Or just drop into your first class and feel the difference for yourself.

Back to blog