By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    An Expert’s Guide To Building and Improving Endurance
    June 30, 2022
    medical assistants
    What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?
    April 5, 2022
    superfoods to help with prostate health
    10 Healthy Foods That Can Help Protect Your Prostate
    August 29, 2022
    Latest News
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
    Chewing Matters More Than You Think: Why Proper Chewing Supports Better Health
    May 22, 2025
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    How the Healthcare Industry Has Reduced Aggravation For Patients
    February 8, 2016
    What To Know About Current Trends In Healthcare And Aging
    September 6, 2018
    dollar
    2016 Phase Two HIPAA Audit Program Update
    April 30, 2016
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 50-Plus and New to the Gym
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > 50-Plus and New to the Gym
Wellness

50-Plus and New to the Gym

bob60
Last updated: August 31, 2013 8:11 am
bob60
Share
7 Min Read
aging and fitness
SHARE

aging and fitnessSome of my friends have asked me if they can really start a fitness program now.  They know that I began in my late forties and wonder if it’s too late since they’re 50+.  I tell them, “Heck yes you can start now; just because you’re 50, 55, or even 63 like me, anyone can start at any time and be 50plusPlusFit, and I’ll help you in any way I can.”  

aging and fitnessSome of my friends have asked me if they can really start a fitness program now.  They know that I began in my late forties and wonder if it’s too late since they’re 50+.  I tell them, “Heck yes you can start now; just because you’re 50, 55, or even 63 like me, anyone can start at any time and be 50plusPlusFit, and I’ll help you in any way I can.”  

I tell them that it’s really no different than that Spanish class they’re taking, that new business they’ve just launched, or that pottery class, or the advanced degree they’re going for, or the sculpting they’ve gotten back into after abandoning it for so many years… if you want it, go for it!  Being 50+ and fit will do nothing but enhance your lifestyle.

In fact, I tell them that the personal transformation that they can experience will be nothing short of amazing!  Will the transformation show up tomorrow?  Well of course not.  But, if they’ve been neglecting their fitness for several years (or nearly forever), the progress they will make is like the growth of a young child.  It will happen in significant “spurts.”  The progress they experience will be similar to those high percentage increases you can see when a sales curve starts from a low base, or the fast growth of a new springtime plant blooming.

More Read

Health 2.0 Europe Panel
Health 2.0 Europe: “Improving and Enriching the Patient-Provider Relationship”
How to Help Teens with Depression
Crucial Hacks that Every Vegan Should Practice for Optimal Health
Creating A Wellness Plan That Works Best For You
Colon Cancer Diagnosed at Earlier Ages

And, now here is something to look forward to as you progress – you can even gloat, if you’re so inclined.  Or at least this will happen; you’ll be working out at the gym, or just seeing friends socially, and people will notice a change in you.  Oh yes, they will notice, and they will comment.  And at that moment, you’ll be able to do that gloating thing, or just bask in that bright light called admiration!  And you will feel really, really good.  And that, my fellow 50plusPlusFit friends, is the bonus you will enjoy.  Frankly, people who have been into fitness for some time have already had that pleasure, and likely will not experience it in the same degree again, but now it is your turn.  So go for it!

And let’s get one thing out of the way up front.  I’m also asked if you will injure yourself starting at this age.  And I’ll say it without hesitation… no, no more than anyone years younger… not if you do it right. So here’s how to get back into it.

We see new clients of all ages (and especially 50+) come into our club and begin a workout plan.  And, if they have not worked out in awhile (or ever!), they do need to begin slowly, just as we would with anything else new.  Example: once a 55 year old woman started with me.  In industry lingo, she was de-conditioned – a little overweight, no balance, no core strength and poor upper-body strength.

We began with two sets of exercises on each major muscle group at very light weights.  A couple of weeks later, she said, “This is getting easy, let’s go up on the weights a little.”  At that moment, I knew that she was not only ready for more weight, but also a third set of each exercise as well.  A month later, she was using double the weight she was comfortable beginning with.  And in addition to becoming stronger, she had lost weight that was really noticeable! 

It’s NEVER too late to begin taking better care of yourself – in our club we see people up to their NINETIES coming in and doing what they need to do to take care of themselves and to make certain that they can lead enjoyable, active lives.

So, about that injury question – stepping up to the charge of increasing physical activity doesn’t come without potential peril!  If you’ve been sedentary for awhile or possibly never worked out, you need to know how to proceed properly without sustaining an injury.  That can come from anything like dropping a weight on your foot, to a muscle strain or sprain.  And, “hitting it hard” can cause you to miss working out for 10-15 days because you’re too sore. That does not move you forward!

Many people over 50 begin a workout routine for various reasons including strong advice from their doctor, significant event approaching, more leisure time with kids grown and career established, etc. Whatever the reason, the journey is the same – start out carefully as you would with any other new physical endeavor and build gradually on your continued success. 

Oh, by the way, if you haven’t worked out since, oh say college or high school, workout theory has changed and continues to change every single day.  So, be sure to base your workout plan on current fitness trends – for example, a full-range sit-up is no longer considered an effective or safe abdominal workout! To be safe, you might want to hire a certified personal trainer to guide you along. Or if you want a more affordable option, or you just need a refresher, try an online personal trainer.

Either way, anything worth doing is worth doing correctly, and safely.  So, if you were thinking it’s too late, get up from that couch and get busy – for your 50plusPlusFit quality of lifestyle!

(baby boomers and fitness / shutterstock)

TAGGED:fitness
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

stress impact your health
The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
Health Wellness
May 22, 2025
chewing better for health
Chewing Matters More Than You Think: Why Proper Chewing Supports Better Health
Dental health Health
May 22, 2025
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
Dental health
May 21, 2025

You Might also Like

nursing homes in maine
GeriatricsNewsSpecialtiesWellness

Nursing Homes in Maine Are Best in Nation

March 23, 2013
Health careSocial MediaWellness

9 Very Important Signs That It’s Time For An Eye Test

November 28, 2018

2014: A Year of More Answers to Your Questions About Cancer

December 29, 2013

The Big Payoff From Wellness and Prevention

May 11, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?