Staying Fit as You Age

By: Sharon McGeehan - W.I.T.S. Certified Personal Trainer & Senior Trainer & Aquatics Trainer, Certified Lifestyle Health Coach, Hunterdon Health and Wellness Centers

Many people are unaware that as we age our fitness needs change. This is caused by the stress of aging or developing a different muscle to fat ratio. 

Fitness needs evolve throughout life due to various factors. These changes can be influenced by age, lifestyle, health status and personal goals. Staying fit and healthy is an ongoing process that you have to adjust as you age.

As you enter your 40’s, the obstacles to getting fit and staying that way adapt with the changes in job obligations and children getting more independent. The emphasis is still on strength training and cardiovascular health and maintaining flexibility to support daily activities. 

Adhering to a balanced diet and exercising regularly will keep you healthy and strong in your 50’s. The question for women at this stage of life is how will Perimenopause and Menopause affect me? Can you address the changes with diet and exercise? What works best? In your 50’s, a healthy weight and regular exercise is still the key to aging well-decreasing the intensity of your exercise while at the same time increasing the duration will maximize the benefits. 

Staying active in your 60’s

Aging is often accompanied by a decline in physical health caused by chronic illness or injury. A healthy diet and regular exercise is still essential and recommended for physical fitness, and mental acuity. It can reduce depression. Adjusting your exercise routine can be helpful focusing more on flexibility and balance. Research is clear that we still need to continue our cardiovascular activity and strength training for both women and men in our 60s and beyond. Older adults may want to prioritize balance and mobility to prevent falls and maintain independence.