Muscle: The Longevity Metric Most People Ignore

And why that needs to change—like, yesterday.

When you think about getting older, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

For most people, it’s wrinkles, weight gain, or maybe getting a little slower.

But the real story? It’s muscle.

That’s right—your muscle mass might be the most important thing you’re not tracking. And no, we’re not talking about bodybuilder vibes. This is about staying mobile, energetic, and independent for as long as possible.

Let’s break it down.

What Is Muscle Mass (and Why Should You Care)?

Muscle mass is the part of your body made up of lean tissue—the stuff that moves you, supports you, and literally keeps you upright.

As you age, you naturally lose muscle.
This is called sarcopenia, and it starts sneaking up as early as your 30s. If you don’t track and protect your muscle, you could lose up to 30% by your 70s.

That’s not just about strength.
It affects:

• How fast your metabolism runs

• How steady your balance is

• How easy it is to recover from stress, workouts, or injuries

• How long you can live on your own

More Muscle = More Life

Strong muscles = strong life. Simple as that.

Want to keep hiking, lifting grandkids, or traveling well into your 70s and 80s?
Want to avoid falls, frailty, or slow recovery from illness?

Then you need to build—and track—your muscle now.

Why the Scale Can’t Help You

You can lose fat AND lose muscle at the same time—and your scale won’t tell you the difference.
In fact, the scale might show weight loss as “good,” even if you’re losing the wrong kind of weight.

This is where DEXA comes in.

How DEXA Scans Help You Track Muscle (The Right Way)

Unlike your bathroom scale or smart watch, a DEXA scan shows you exactly:

• How much lean muscle you have

• Where your muscle is (arms, legs, core)

• How you compare to people your age and sex

• If you have any muscle imbalances that might lead to injury

It’s the gold standard for tracking body composition. And it only takes 10–15 minutes.

Real Talk: This Isn’t Just About Looking Good

Muscle is the most powerful anti-aging tool you’ve got.

The science is clear:
People with more lean muscle mass live longer, feel better, and bounce back faster.
And even better—it’s never too late to build it.

What You Can Do Today

Here’s how to start:

✅ Test Your Muscle Mass:
Get a DEXA scan to know your baseline. You can’t manage what you don’t measure.

✅ Lift Something:
You don’t need to hit PRs. Just use your muscles—bodyweight, resistance bands, or weights. Start where you are.

✅ Eat Enough Protein:
Your body needs building blocks to hold onto muscle—especially with age.

✅ Repeat and Retest:
Come back in 3–6 months to track progress. DexaFit AI makes it easy to see what’s working (and what’s not).

Bonus: Ask Us About Pathways to Peak™

Want more than just a scan?
Pathways to Peak™ is our 12-week game plan built from your test results. It matches your goals with your real data and gives you a step-by-step plan to get stronger, leaner, and sharper—fast.

It’s like GPS for your health. (Without the annoying voice.)

🎯 Ready to Know Where You Stand?

🔍 Book your DEXA scan today and get the truth about your muscle—and your future.

DEXA vs. Old-School Body Tests: Why the Right Tools Matter

Let’s be real—your body isn’t a math problem. So why do most health tests treat it like one?

You’ve probably heard of BMI, skin calipers, smart scales, or even the Bod Pod. They all try to guess what your body’s made of. But guessing is the key word here.

If you want real answers—about your fat, muscle, and bone strength—you need a better tool. That’s where DEXA scanscome in.

Let’s break it down, no science degree needed.

The Old-School Stuff (And Where It Fails)

Here’s a quick look at the tools most people still use—and why they might be holding you back:

🧮 BMI (Body Mass Index)

This one’s simple: it just divides your weight by your height.

Why it’s used: Fast, cheap, and easy.
Why it falls short: It can’t tell fat from muscle. So if you're fit or muscular, it might label you as “overweight.” Yikes.

✂️ Skinfold Calipers

Pinch your fat in a few spots and do some math.

Why people like it: Portable and cheap.
Why it’s a problem: Human error. Plus, it only measures fat under the skin—not the deep stuff that really matters.

⚡ Smart Scales & BIA Devices

These send a tiny electrical current through your body and try to guess what’s fat vs. muscle.

Why it sounds cool: It’s tech!
But: Your hydration, what you ate, or even where you place your feet can change the results. It's not reliable.

💦 Hydrostatic Weighing & Bod Pod

Water or air is used to guess your body fat.

Pretty accurate... in theory. But you have to undress, fast, and breathe just right. Not ideal for everyday life.

The Truth: These Methods Are Just... Estimates.

They can’t see what’s inside.
They can’t tell you where your fat is.
They definitely can’t track muscle or bone changes over time.

That’s where DEXA wins. Every time.

What Makes DEXA So Different?

DEXA stands for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Yeah, it sounds fancy. But all you need to know is this:

🔍 It sees everything—fat, muscle, and bones.
📍 It shows where things are in your body (hello, belly fat).
📊 It tracks your changes with crazy-high accuracy.

Here’s what DEXA gives you that old-school tests can’t:

✅ Real Accuracy

Not an estimate. A direct readout of your fat, muscle, and bone.

✅ Visceral Fat Data

This is the dangerous fat around your organs. DEXA sees it. Calipers and smart scales can’t.

✅ Muscle Tracking

Want to know if you're building muscle or losing it? DEXA tells you what’s really going on.

✅ Bone Density

Yes, DEXA checks your bones too. That means you can watch out for things like osteoporosis.

⚠️ Quick PSA About “DEXA Vans”

Some places offer mobile DEXA scans in vans. Sounds convenient, right? But here’s the issue:

🛻 Vans move. DEXA machines need to stay perfectly still and level. If they’re not, the scans aren’t accurate—and that means your results can’t be trusted.

DexaFit uses certified, in-clinic machines that are locked in place. No movement. No wonky numbers. Just clean, reliable data.

Why DexaFit’s DEXA Is Next-Level

Okay, now here’s where we take things even further:

🧠 DexaFit AI tracks your progress, predicts trends, and gives you a “body score” you can actually understand.

📈 Want to build more muscle? We’ll show you how much you need to reach the top 25% of people your age.

🧍‍♂️ Trying to lose fat the smart way? We’ll map it out—no guesswork, no generic advice.

📲 And it’s all inside the app, right on your phone.

You Deserve Better Than Guesswork

You’re not a number on a scale. You’re not a “BMI.” You’re a complex, amazing human.

And you deserve to know what’s really going on inside your body.

🎯 Ready for real answers?

✅ Book your DexaFit DEXA scan today and get a full-body readout you can trust. Book your DexaFit here
✅ Want a total health strategy based on your numbers? Ask us about Pathways to Peak™—our 12-week guided program that builds your plan around you.

Because when you finally stop guessing, everything gets easier.

What Your DEXA Report Really Means

You got a DEXA scan—nice move. It’s not just a fancy name. It’s one of the most accurate ways to see what’s going on inside your body. Think of it like a full-body report card: how much fat you have, how much lean muscle you're carrying, how strong your bones are, and more.

But here’s the thing: most people stop at the “fat percentage” and call it a day. At DexaFit, we go deeper. Because those extra numbers? They tell the real story of your health.

Let’s walk through your report, minus the confusion.

1. Fat Mass

This tells you how much of your body is made up of fat. Not just the total, but where that fat is hanging out.

Key things to look at:

• Body Fat % – This is your total fat divided by your weight.

• Visceral Fat – The kind of fat that wraps around your organs. It’s sneaky and not the kind you can pinch. Too much of it can raise your risk for things like heart disease or diabetes.

• Fat Distribution – Is your fat more in your belly or your hips? This matters.

• A/G Ratio – Android (belly) vs. Gynoid (hips and thighs). A higher A/G ratio can signal greater health risks.

💡 Quick Tip: You need some fat—your body uses it to make hormones and store energy. But if that fat is hanging around your organs or piling up in the wrong places, it’s time to take action.

2. Fat-Free Mass

This is everything that’s not fat: muscles, bones, organs, water.

Why it matters:

• More lean mass = better strength, metabolism, and movement.

• It also means your body burns more calories, even at rest.

👀 Keep an eye on:

• FFMI (Fat-Free Mass Index) – Like BMI, but way smarter. It shows how muscular you are for your size.

• ALMI (Appendicular Lean Mass Index) – Tells you how much lean mass is in your arms and legs. It’s a strong sign of mobility and strength, especially as you age.

3. Bone Density

DEXA was actually first used to test bone health. And it still does a great job.

Why it’s important:

• Strong bones = fewer breaks and falls as you get older.

• Low bone density could mean early signs of osteoporosis.

🧠 DexaFit Bonus: We also compare your bones to healthy people your age so you know where you stand.

4. The Power of Pattern-Tracking (with AI)

One scan gives you a snapshot. But two or more? That’s when the magic starts.

With DexaFit AI, you can:

• Watch your trends over time (not just one random number).

• See how changes in diet or workouts are really affecting you.

• Get smart suggestions to help you move forward—no guesswork.

📱 It’s all in your app: progress charts, peer comparisons, and reminders to retest before you fall off track.

So… What Should You Do With All This?

Data is cool, but action is cooler. Here’s where to start:

✅ If your visceral fat is high:
Try structured cardio, strength training, better sleep, and stress-reducing habits.

✅ If your muscle mass is lower than it should be:
Eat more protein, lift heavier, and make sure you're recovering well.

✅ If your A/G ratio is off:
Time to tweak that nutrition and get moving—especially if you’re sitting a lot.

And the best part? You don’t have to figure this out alone.
We can turn your numbers into a personalized game plan—made just for you.

📈 Curious about what comes next?
Ask us about Pathways to Peak™—our 12-week data-based program that turns your scan into a fully guided strategy for fat loss, strength, energy, or longevity. It’s like a GPS for your goals (without the annoying voice).

Ready to get started?

🔍 Book your DEXA scan now and get the clarity you’ve been missing.
Because your health deserves more than guesswork.

👉 Schedule Your DexaFit Appointment

What is Visceral Fat? How DexaFit Helps You Identify It and Why It Matters

Understanding Visceral Fat and Its Health Risks

Visceral fat is a type of body fat stored deep within the abdominal cavity, surrounding key organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which lies just beneath the skin, visceral fat is linked to serious health risks when present in excess.

Health Conditions Associated with Visceral Fat:

• Heart Disease: Research shows that high visceral fat levels can increase cardiovascular risks.

• Type 2 Diabetes: Excess visceral fat is associated with insulin resistance, which can contribute to elevated blood sugar levels.

• Chronic Inflammation: Visceral fat releases inflammatory chemicals that may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and other chronic conditions.

While some fat is necessary for organ protection, Visceral fat itself is not essential, and managing visceral fat is crucial for long-term health. Identifying and monitoring visceral fat early allows for preventive health measures and lifestyle adjustments to mitigate these risks.

How DEXA Scans Provide Accurate Visceral Fat Measurements

Traditional methods like BMI or waist circumference can estimate body fat, but they often lack precision in identifying and quantifying visceral fat. Methods like bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) also fall short. While BIA can provide a general overview of body composition, it doesn't differentiate between different types of fat. It measures total body water and uses this to estimate lean mass and fat mass, but it cannot pinpoint where that fat is located. This means it can't specifically measure visceral fat, the type of fat stored around your organs and linked to various health risks. This is where DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scans provide a more advanced solution. DexaFit’s DEXA technology offers detailed, data-driven insights into your body composition

Key Advantages of DEXA Scans:

• Precision: DEXA scans can differentiate between bone, muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat with a high degree of accuracy.

• Comprehensive Data: The scan provides a full breakdown of fat distribution, offering insights that are essential for assessing health risks.

• Progress Tracking: Regular DEXA scans allow individuals to monitor changes in body composition over time, enabling more targeted health and fitness strategies.

This data helps inform clients about potential health risks and offers a reliable baseline for improvement efforts.

Actionable Steps to Reduce Visceral Fat

Once your visceral fat levels have been measured, it's important to take steps toward improving metabolic health. Consistent effort in these areas can lead to significant reductions in visceral fat:

1. Adopt a Balanced, Nutrient-Dense Diet: Focus on whole foods, including lean proteins, fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. Reducing sugar and processed foods can help balance insulin levels and support fat loss, particularly around the abdomen.

2. Incorporate Both Cardio and Strength Training: Engaging in regular aerobic activities, such as walking or cycling, along with resistance training, can improve metabolic function and help burn visceral fat. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, as recommended by health professionals.

3. Prioritize Quality Sleep: Poor sleep has been linked to increased visceral fat and higher stress hormone (cortisol) levels. Strive for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support hormonal balance and recovery.

4. Reduce Stress Levels: Chronic stress can increase cortisol production, which promotes fat storage in the abdominal area. Stress-reducing activities such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help mitigate this effect.

5. Limit Alcohol Consumption and Avoid Smoking: Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are strongly linked to increased visceral fat storage. Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake are crucial steps for reducing visceral fat and improving overall health.

6. Monitor Your Progress Regularly: Regular assessments, such as DEXA scans, provide clear evidence of progress. Monitoring these results over time helps refine health strategies and maintain motivation.

By implementing these steps, you can improve your overall health, reduce your risk of chronic disease, and enhance your energy and well-being.

Why Accurate Health Insights Matter

Reducing visceral fat is about more than aesthetics. It is a critical component of long-term health management, lowering risks associated with heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. When you understand your body’s unique composition, you can take informed, personalized actions to maintain optimal health and longevity.

Take Control of Your Health with DexaFit

Gain a deeper understanding of your health by scheduling a DEXA scan with DexaFit. Our cutting-edge technology provides precise, personalized insights to help you make informed decisions about your well-being. Visit DexaFit Services Page to learn more about our comprehensive testing options and book your appointment today!