No matter the number of candles on your last birthday cake, it is a scientific fact that by maintaining lean, strong muscles you can have the muscles of a person 20 years younger! Can this be the real "Fountain of Youth"?

These "young" muscles are the best defense to the frustrating effects that often come with the aging process, including osteoporosis (by building "new" bone tissue); arthritis (by better protecting the body's cartilage); diabetes (by increasing the body's sensitivity to insulin); and heart disease (by improving blood lipids & lowering blood pressure). Lean, strong muscles really are the cornerstone to living a healthy, long life.

Last month, as part of 20 Minutes To Fitness' commitment to continuous improvement, our Sarasota and St. Louis Teams invited Ryan Hall, one of the nation's leading experts in the high intensity, slow cadence training protocol, to visit with us in Sarasota. Ryan has a degree in Exercise Physiology, has 17 years of experience in health and fitness as an entrepreneur, practitioner, industry speaker and researcher.

We spent a great day with Ryan asking questions and learning even more about the scientific details and studies that support the important benefits of this unique training protocol.

One of the real eye-openers focused on the actual "rejuvenation" of the cells that make up our muscle fibers. Ryan showed us slides of actual muscle fiber cells which through scientific studies demonstrate effects of slow cadence, high intensity training. The results were amazing. The cells of the subjects who completed the training were the same as people 20 years younger. On one slide, the cells of a 68 year old male who did the training looked identical to the cells of a male who was 40 years younger.

Here's how it works. During your 20 minute session, you are putting stress on your muscles. Then, during the all-important recovery period (4 to 6 days), the body reacts by building new muscle fiber cells. These new cells are referred to as "embryonic" cells because they are as new as the cells of a new born baby.

While it may be a bit dramatic to refer to this training protocol as "the fountain of youth", the research certainly indicates that the 20 Minutes To Fitness protocol helps keep our bodies young. As Ryan emphasizes, if science shows us a protocol that works better - then that's what we will offer to our 20 Minutes To Fitness Clients.

We are Changing the Way People Look at Exercise . . . Forever.

"As the caretaker for parents who are suffering from the frustrating effects of aging (dementia for my Mom and Dad, and confinement to a walker for my Dad), I turned to 20 Minutes To Fitness® for help. The results have been amazing! My Mom has increased energy, feels better - and most importantly, she knows it. And as for my Dad, he is more alert, joking and laughing, moving around faster, and being less dependant on his walker. Thank you 20 Minutes To Fitness®!"
Kevin Pillion, 43
Business Executive

The 20 Minutes to Fitness Team will join other Lakewood Ranch businesses to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The "Relay For Life" is an annual event loaded with fun and games for the whole family. This year's Lakewood Ranch event will be held at Lakewood Ranch High School on April 13-14.

Our Team hopes to raise $3,000 this year and if you have any interest in joining us for the event or making a contribution, just give Angela a call at 941.309.8989.