It's Never Too Late: Getting Fit Later in Life
If you’re in the second half of your life and have never seriously worked out, you might think it’s too late for you to start. Even if you’re still relatively young, you might have heard such nonsense as “if you’re not fit by the time you’re 30, it’s too late.”
However, none of this is true. In fact, as long as you are alive it’s never too late to start working on your fitness. Regardless of your current age, exercise history, or health status, making regular exercise a part of your life will have huge benefits for both your physical and mental wellbeing.
Not sure where to get started? Here are a few of our tips for getting fit later on in life.
Start where you are
One of the most common mistakes people make when starting an exercise regime, no matter their age, is to do too much too quickly. This not only increases your risk for injury, but it can also cause you to become demoralized and quit before you’ve enjoyed the benefits of your new fitness routine.
Instead, assess honestly where your current fitness level is and build on it from there. For example, if you do little to no exercise at the moment, try starting with a short walk every day.
You should also pay attention to any existing health issues or injuries that you’ll need to be mindful of as you exercise. For example, if you have knee problems, you might want to skip high impact activities like jogging and try something gentler (but still effective) like swimming instead.
Work with a trainer
When people first start exercising, particularly if they have never done so before, they are often understandably afraid of injury. One great way to help prevent this is to work with a personal trainer who has a good understanding of safe fitness for people of your age.
A trainer will recommend exercises that are suitable for you and show you how to perform them correctly. This will ensure you gain as much benefit as possible from every movement as well as reducing your risk of getting injured.
Ask for recommendations and don’t be afraid to book trial sessions with a few different trainers until you find the right fit for you.
Join a 50+ fitness class
Many gyms and personal trainers are now offering group classes for people who are interested in getting fit later on in life. Search online, check the listings at your local gym, or get in contact and ask if they have any classes specifically designed for your age group.
If you cannot find anything in your local area, you may be able to find suitable workouts targeted at your age group online. Use search terms like “workout 50+” (or 60+, etc.), “low impact workout”, or “workout for older people”.
Make use of recovery wear
As we age, it can take longer for our muscles to recover after exercise. Using recovery garments such as Incrediwear’s scientifically proven non-compression garments can help your body to recover more quickly, reducing pain and minimizing your risk of injury.
For example, do you suffer from foot pain during or after a long walk? Our circulation socks can help. Or perhaps you’ve recently taken up a racquet sport but are suffering from the dreaded Tennis Elbow? If so, try an elbow sleeve.
Post-exercise recovery is just as important as your workout itself. By using recovery wear, you can enhance your body’s natural healing processes and stay active and pain-free at any age.
Build fitness into your life
If the idea of going to the gym or a fitness class fills you with horror, you can still build movement into your everyday life. Moving your body regularly is good for your health, regardless of whether it happens in a formal fitness setting or not.
Here are a few ideas to help you build exercise into your life:
- Go for a daily walk with your partner, a friend, or a family member
- Get (or borrow) a dog - he or she will need walking every day
- Take your grandchildren to the park or the swimming pool
- Do energetic housework or gardening
- Park at the far end of the lot rather than right by the store entrance
- Walk to the supermarket, coffee shop, or to run errands rather than driving
Most importantly, enjoy it!
Keeping fit can be a fun and joyful part of life once you’ve found an activity you enjoy, no matter your age.