How Old Is Too Old To Exercise?
Lately the topic of exercise for seniors has been on my mind. Twice in the past week, friends of my age, have made quite negative comments to me, about seniors exercising. Firstly, a friend asked me how to begin an exercise program. The second comment, was when a friend, who I knew read my blog regularly, very casually mentioned it was about time I slowed down a bit, even going so far as to say that exercising could be causing lasting damage to my body. Reading between the lines, I of course, took her to mean that I’m too old and it’s about time it up.
Just for a moment, the thought popped into my head that maybe she was right. Just for a moment! My thoughts then quickly went to Why should I? Exercise is extremely important to my well being and my sense of who I am. I cannot imagine my life without being active. Exercise is also the way that I cope with some of the challenges that life throws at me from time to time. I refuse to give it up. I am sure that any time in the future that I’m still breathing, I will still be exercising.
Actually exercising in my senior years is easy for me, as I first began an exercise program, when I joined the local gym as a lazy over weight 30 year old. I do have fears of reverting to that person I was back then, so that is probably part of my motivation to keep going. Since then I’ve continued on, choosing different types of exercise, as my life changed, and took the many twists and turns that it’s taken over the past 30 or so years.
Firstly I was a typical gym junkie, hooked on going to the gym and lifting weights. I rarely missed a day. Soon after, I threw cycling and swimming into the mix. In my 50s , when I moved to another town, I gave up the gym and spent hours road cycling outdoors every day.
This was during a period that I was prematurely retired. Soon after getting back into the workforce, I realised very quickly, that I didn’t have those spare hours to spend on the bike every day. So back to the gym I went, and rediscovered my love of weight training, along with fitness and cycling classes. And so it has continued until now. These days I’m very fortunate to have a fully equipped home gym which is a pleasure to work out in.
So yes, maintaining an exercise program as a senior has been easy for me. But I do understand how difficult it could be for a person who has never exercised, to take up an exercise program. I understand how difficult it must be to walk into a gym, for the first time, as an older person. I understand how intimidating the gym environment could be, surrounded by young beautiful bodies and equipment that, at first glance, looks like it would need a pilot’s licence to operate.
But I’m here to say that you do not have to go to a gym to be fit. All you need is commitment, patience and a positive attitude. You just need to get started. It doesn’t matter how tiny the baby steps. Just take them, and before you know it you will be making improvements, feeling more confident and maybe even enjoying your sessions.
In my younger days, I was a gym instructor and a personal trainer in a gym. This was long ago when personal trainers only worked in gyms. This was the very early days when qualification was made mandatory. I was in the first intake of fitness leaders who trained to be qualified gym instructors and personal trainers. Before this, no qualification was needed. Unfortunately I abandoned this career choice in my mid forties, when I decided I was too old and there would no longer be any work for me in the industy.
How I wish I’d had more foresight, and kept my qualifications updated, instead of giving up. If I’d done so, I know there would be plenty of work out there today as a trainer specialising in exercise for seniors. And I don’t mean gentle exercise for seniors. I mean training seniors to be as fit as they could be, to be the best they could be, and to be what they want to be.
The baby boomers are generally much more healthy and active in their 60s than their parents were and they don’t necessarily want gentle passive exercise. In many cases they want to continue on with an exercise program as they have done all their lives, but they don’t necessarily want a trainer who is as young as their children or grandchildren.
It doesn’t matter the type of exercise you would like to do, if you are in your senior years and haven’t exercised for a while or have never exercised, make an appointment with yourself to start moving. As a start, park a little further away from your destination and walk. This would be a great start and a base that could be built on as fitness levels increase.
This photo, of our Melbourne Coastrek 2017 team, in my opinion, shows that it’s still possible for us seniors to participate in a meaningful way in an exercise program and in fitness events. The girls in this photo are not ageing seniors. Well three of them aren’t. I definitely do qualify, but I feel very proud that I was able to be a part of this team, and even though injured at the time, was able to work with those injuries and be a part of this awesome team. We all increased our fitness over the three months we trained together for the event. An added advantage was that while training, and participating on the day we made unforgettable memories together.
If you are reading this, as a senior, please believe me. You can do it!
Do please stay tuned. In the next post I will give specific tips for seniors to start an exercise program.
Are you a senior and considering starting an exercise program? Or are you a senior who is a regular exerciser? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
I agree Jen. Like you I was a fitness instructor when I was young, but with work, babies etc let it go, dabbled on and off with gyms & dancing for years but at 50 got back into it big time and I think by 52 I was fitter and stronger than I’d ever been. I was running, deadlifting 80kg etc. Then grief stopped me in my tracks, I’ve hardly moved at all in two&half years but recently found a fabulous strength trainer. I’m only going 2 days per week and as yet haven’t mustered the energy to do anything else but it’s a start. I know for a fact you can train hard and to a high level post 50 – I just hope my mojo kicks back in. Your posts inspire me to keep trying.
Sue just do what feels right for you. One day you will be ready to get back to your old active lifestyle. But I think for now just focus on what feels right on the day. You’ve made a big step by starting strength training. Thanks again for commenting
I’m 60 Jen and I love exercising. I run regularly, work out and do yoga. I am sensible in my approach and make sure I look after my body with stretching and eating well. I’m all for having an Ageless Attitude and no you are never too old. Just moving in any form is helpful. My 92 yo MIL does armchair yoga at her aged care home and goes to the gym each morning for 1.5km on the exercise bike. We need to get the message out there that age should not define us. Let’s collaborate on something!
Sue Your MIL is an inspiration. I hope to be like her when I get to that age. I think we’re both on the same wavelength with this topic. Would love to collaborate with you.
Hi Jen she certainly has turned her life around and is trying new things all the time. Thanks for sharing and linking up at #MLSTL. I’ve shared on social media. xx
Thanks for sharing. Seemed to be sharing all day yesterday for #MLSTL. But met some great bloggers so it was great
I think exercise is so important for as long as you possibly can. I’ve never been a gym junkie, or in fact very keen on moving at all (!) although I used to do a lot of showjumping when I was younger, so was always active then. These days I love walking, to get out in the open air and also cycling – but not long or fast road biking. I also enjoy the occasional yoga class. I feel as if I should be more committed. I’m a casual exerciser I guess, and try to do something every day. But my plan is that it will continue until I really can’t move.
Jo my sister’s were show jumpers and equestrians so I know the effort that goes into it. Sounds to like you’re on the right track. Movement every day is a great goal.
Hi Jen, I’m 57 and like to stay active with walking, running and cycling. I don’t go hard but I do something every day. I have been wondering lately that i should include some other form of exercise so I look forward to your next posts. Thanks for this useful info.
Deb I’m sure that doing something every day is the key.
I am gobsmacked that a friend would say that to you. I am the laziest person in the world and carrying some body issues that slow me down, but I’m about to address that with a planned whole program. The more I read the more I know that exercise is critical to good health and the older we are the more important it is. Keep on keeping on and ignore the naysayers.
Thanks Jan. Look forward to hearing about your new exercise program.
Wonderful post! I’m 63 and have been working out regularly for almost 40 years. And yes, my body won’t do everything it did in my younger years, but I think that regular exercise and challenging myself is what is going to help keep me feeling young. I appreciate the encouragement you give to those who have never worked out – it’s never too late to start taking care of your body!
Thanks for visoting Candi. Good to hear you’re still exercising. I think at our age we all have a few annoying injuries that we have to work around. I know I do!
Personally, after a really active life (I was a fitness instructor too) I’m learning to listen to my knees. That said… one of the classes I taught until I left town 11 years ago was a “seniors'” fitness class. In the last 6 months I have been asked to come back and fill in as their current instructor deals with her own issues. Nowadays it’s more of a strength and range-of-motion class as the attendees are now in their 80s and 90s! and still my role models!!
That’s great that you’ve been invited back to instruct seniors. I’m sure you will love it. I’ve got dodgy knees too. Just have to work around them at times
Hi Jen – I’m visiting from MLSTL. Agreed with you about commitment, patience, and positive attitude. Good for you for keeping fit! I exercise regularly 1-2 hours/ day (walk, run, gym, yoga, swim, etc.), all moderate in my perspective but definitely consistent.
Thanks for visiting Natalie. My exercise is also more moderate than it used to be. Just have to keep doing it
My sister-in-law inspired me a few years ago when she expressed gratitude for being able to move. So often our mobility decreases as we age. I think about that when I exercise – what a wonder it is to move!
We have to try to move every day Christine to make sure we keep our mobility as we get older
I am BEYOND envious of anyone (young or old) who actually enjoys exercise. I wish I loved it, I wish I couldn’t wait to go for a run each morning, I wish the thought of going to a gym was even remotely appealing. Unfortunately these are all wishes and are never going to eventuate. BUT I am old enough and wise enough to know that I need to be moving and I need to keep my body healthy – so I walk…. the only exercise I find appealing, and I now walk twice each day to try to get close to those magic 10,000 steps. I think your friends are just jealous of you Jennifer – keep going and keep inspiring people like me 🙂
Thanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I’ve shared this on my SM xx
Sounds to me like you’re doing well Leanne. We just need to move every day. There are days that I also don’t like exercise. Those days I just have to JFDI and get it done
I have never heard anyone say seniors shouldn’t exercise; just the opposite actually! I’ve seen pictures and videos of seniors lifting light weights in wheel chairs. Of course, they have to careful not to over due it and to do exercises appropriate for them, but to not exercise at all? Ridiculous. I’m 55 and even though some people might consider me a “senior” I don’t quite yet. I still get plenty of exercise.
It’s amazing what people will say sometimes Amy. Movement is always good as far as I’m concerned
My exercise routine Epps and flows. I have never liked working out but know that it good for me. Right now I am using a rowing machine but last year it was a cycling class and yoga. I figure every little bit helps.
Every bit of exercise does help. I love the rower and cycling classes
Well said, Jennifer. I’ve been exercising regularly for the past 20 years (and off and on before that). I can’t imagine stopping now. I enjoy a mix of running, walking, rowing, strength training, and yoga. It always makes me laugh when people say running is bad for your knees or weight lifting is bad for runners. Moderation in all things. I listen to my body. Maybe it’s not too late for you to get re-certified as a trainer either. I’m sure you’re right that there is a demand for midlife trainers for midlifers!
I agree Christie. Moderaration and being aware of our injuries is the way to go. Thanks for your encouragement as always
I’ve got a fully equipped home gym too, Jennifer, but haven’t used it in months. I have a couple of dogs so do a lot of walking with them and am having trouble justifying getting on my treadmill for a different kind of walk.
I appreciate your enthusiasm for exercise, no matter what the age. The personal trainer I’ve been working with for years is an Ironman competitor and now getting her certification in Pilates Reformer training. She’s in her mid-fifties and intends to continue her career until 70. She’ll stop then, not because she has to physically, but because she’d like to reclaim time and pursue other interests.
Thanks for visiting Karen. There does some to be more older trainers around these days which is a good thing
It sure is, Jennifer. As I age, I’m less and less inclined to listen to a 20-something tell me about my body. I want someone who has the experience and maybe some of the same feelings as I do. Is that a reverse form of ageism? I hope not.
I agree we should all keep exercising and moving as much as possible and try to do so myself. I so wish I could get my mother (mid 80s) interested or involved in any sort of exercise. We’ve been trying for years with various suggestions and techniques, but she won’t do it. Even walking is a rare occurrence now. In fact, she never has. I’ve come to accept that it is her choice and she can’t be forced into a healthier life.
You’re right Chris. It’s your mothers choice. I’m sure it’s frustrating for you