How old are you? In theory, this is an easy question, albeit not one that’s necessarily polite to ask in casual conversation. But recent developments in the science of longevity means that the situation is actually a bit more complicated when it seems. That’s because there’s more than one way of answering.
Chronological age is the one we all know, measured from the time we’re born. It’s biological age that’s generating much of the attention at the moment. And those two ages aren’t always the same.
Let’s dive into the world of how we age on the inside and on the outside – and whether there’s anything we can do to slow the process.
What is biological age?
As we’ve mentioned, chronological age is how long you’ve been on the planet in years. Biological age is, by contrast, how old your body ‘really’ is on a cellular level. It’s about how old your cells and tissue are, and how much wear and tear they show.
It’s possible that your chronological age and your biological age are the same. But it’s also possible to be biologically younger or older than the age you are in years.
What determines biological age?
There are both genetic and lifestyle factors that can affect biological age. Lifestyle factors include diet, exercise, sleep and stress – and while you can’t change your genetic makeup, you can make adjustments to your everyday routine to hopefully bring down your biological age.
How do I calculate my biological age?
At David Lloyd Clubs, we have a Body Hub machine in each and every one of our gyms. This smart tech takes measurements across a range of metrics, including flexibility and metabolism, to calculate your BioAge – aka, your biological age.
It’s a swift and simple process. And the best bit? You can use the David Lloyd Clubs app to monitor your fitness progress and track changes to your BioAge.
How can I reduce my biological age?
That comes down to individual lifestyle, As well as your overall BioAge, the Body Hub will break it down into different categories. So you might be 42 years old chronologically, but with the metabolism of a 35-year-old and the flexibility of a 50-year-old.
This means you can easily identify areas you might want to improve, and doing so will bring down your overall BioAge. So in the example above, you can set up a routine to improve your flexibility, and as you progress, you’ll see a reduction in your general BioAge.
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