We could not be more excited to sit down with Dr. Stuart Phillips, a leading Skeletal Muscle Researcher at McMaster University, to explore the profound benefits of strength training for women, particularly as we age. Dr. Phillips dives deep into his research, revealing that while our ability to build muscle may decline with age, it's still very much possible—and crucial—to stay strong throughout our lives.

 

Women, especially, need to prioritize strength training, not only to maintain functionality and independence but also to prepare for the later years of life, where we are more likely to outlive our male counterparts and potentially face time in retirement or nursing facilities. Historically, women haven’t had many role models when it comes to lifting weights, but that narrative is changing. However, the journey towards widespread acceptance of strength training among women still has a long way to go.

 

Dr. Phillips sheds light on how his research is conducted and funded, and offers practical advice on how to differentiate between legitimate research and the often misleading information spread by online influencers. He emphasizes that while the truth might not always be as glamorous, it's vital to rely on sound science, especially when it comes to supplements and muscle health.

 

During the discussion, Dr. Phillips also covers the critical role of protein consumption, the impact of popular GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro on muscle tissue, and the importance of integrating weight training with these medications. He explains how losing muscle in later years can be challenging to recover from, highlighting the importance of staying active beyond just focusing on weight loss.

 

Finally, the episode wraps up with Dr. Phillips addressing a common question: Should we be lifting lighter or heavier weights? His insights on the difference between training for muscle strength versus bone density are invaluable for anyone looking to maximize their health at any age. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that will inspire women of all ages to embrace strength training as a key component of healthy aging!

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Dr. Stuart Phillips is a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and a member of the School of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health. He has been in the top 1% of cross-field (nutrition and physiology) highly-cited scholars globally for six straight years 2018-2023.

General

Lab: https://goo.gl/k4x9Xv

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=VLu9hqgAAAAJ&hl=en

Web of Science: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/B-2343-2009

University sites

https://bit.ly/SPhillipsKin

https://experts.mcmaster.ca/display/phillis

Socials

Twitter, Instagram, TikTok: @mackinprof

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMPPh.D/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartphillipsmcmaster/

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