Sarcopenia is a systemic disease characterized by accelerated loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, leading to an increased incidence of adverse outcomes such as falls and fractures. Sarcopenia is classified into primary and secondary types, with primary sarcopenia being closely related to aging and posing a serious threat to the healthy life of the elderly. Sarcopenia has an insidious onset and is often overlooked in clinical treatment. Its pathogenesis is complex, involving functional changes and pathological alterations in multiple systems, presenting significant challenges for related research. Cell models can effectively simulate the pathological changes of diseases under controllable conditions, facilitating the exploration of the etiology and influencing factors of sarcopenia and providing an important approach for in-depth study of its mechanism of action. However, there is currently no standardized cell model in the field of sarcopenia research. Commonly used cell models at present include those involving protein metabolism intervention, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response intervention. This article systematically reviews and discusses the commonly used skeletal muscle cell types and modeling methods, providing a solid foundation and important methodological reference for further simulation of the pathological process of sarcopenia in subsequent experimental studies.