Muscle Is Medicine: Why Strength Training Beats Cardio for Long-Term Metabolic Health
Are You Tired, Sluggish, or Struggling to Shift Weight—Despite Moving More?
If you’re walking daily, attending cardio classes, or tracking your steps—and still feel stuck metabolically—you’re not alone.
Many adults across Dartmouth are doing everything “right” yet still battling fatigue, brain fog, stubborn belly fat, and creeping blood sugar levels. The problem?
You’re focusing on movement… but neglecting muscle.
At Poseidon Performance, we help older adults rebuild strength, resilience, and metabolic health—without punishing workouts or calorie obsession. The secret? Muscle is medicine.
What Is Metabolic Dysfunction—and Why Does It Matter?
Metabolic dysfunction simply means your body isn’t using fuel properly.
That could look like:
Insulin resistance or prediabetes
Unwanted weight gain, especially around the middle
Constant fatigue and low energy
Brain fog and poor focus
Chronic inflammation or stiffness
Over time, these issues raise your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and even cognitive decline. But there’s good news—you can change this trajectory, and you don’t need to run marathons or live on salad.
Why Muscle Is Your Metabolic Engine
Muscle isn’t just for athletes or bodybuilders. It’s the most protective tissue you can build as you age—especially after 40.
Here’s what more lean muscle does for you:
Improves insulin sensitivity (how your body handles sugar)
Stores more glucose, keeping blood sugar levels stable
Increases resting metabolism (burn more calories at rest)
Lowers visceral fat, the dangerous kind around organs
Reduces chronic inflammation, a root of many diseases
In fact, muscle uses around 80% of your glucose after eating. No other tissue has this metabolic power.
Cardio Alone Doesn’t Fix This
Walking and aerobic activity are fantastic for heart health and mental wellbeing—but they don’t build the lean tissue your metabolism needs to thrive.
Excessive cardio can even spike cortisol (your stress hormone), especially when done without proper fuelling or rest.
Strength training, on the other hand:
Stimulates key hormones (testosterone, growth hormone, GLP-1)
Improves blood sugar regulation independent of weight loss
Builds long-term metabolic capacity—not just short-term burn
Strength Training in Dartmouth: The Poseidon Approach
At Poseidon Performance, we specialise in strength training for adults 45 and over, particularly those recovering from injury, managing joint pain, or rebuilding after a long layoff.
We don’t believe in bootcamps, mirrors, or “no pain, no gain” culture.
Instead, we offer:
Small group sessions (max 6 people)
Expert coaching from rehab-qualified professionals
A calm, private studio—fully equipped with world-class Eleiko gear
Programmes that prioritise mobility, joint health, and long-term strength
Whether you’re a retired rower, a weekend hiker, or just want to feel more confident climbing stairs again—we meet you where you are.
What to Expect: Getting Started
You don’t need to be fit to begin. You just need to begin.
We recommend:
2–3 sessions per week for consistency
Focusing on compound movements like squats, rows, and lunges
Prioritising form over load
Tracking strength progress, not the scale
After 12 weeks of structured lifting, you can expect measurable improvements in:
Glucose control
Waist-to-hip ratio
Lipid profiles
Fat distribution
Energy and focus
Bonus: How to Maximise Results
To support your training, we also encourage:
30g of protein within 1 hour post-session
Creatine monohydrate for muscle and brain support
Zone 2 cardio (brisk walking, cycling) on non-lifting days
7–9 hours of quality sleep
Optional nutrition support tailored to your goals
The Bottom Line
If your metabolism is slow, your energy is low, and fat won’t budge—lifting weights may be the missing link.
Muscle is medicine.
And strength training is your prescription.
Poseidon Performance | Dartmouth Studio
Private. Evidence-Based. Built for Adults Over 45.
Ready to rebuild your metabolic health and feel like you again?
