The "Primetime" newsletter is perfect for adults 50+ who want to maintain their health and vitality. Expect expert fitness tips, nutritional advice, inspiring success stories, exclusive discounts, event updates, and wellness resources in every email. Subscribe now to stay informed and motivated!
10 Lessons from People Who Stay Fit Later in Life
10 Lessons from People Who Stay Strong Later in LifePublished on May 13th, 2025 Spend time around people who remain active into their 60s, 70s and beyond, and you start hearing the same ideas over and over.They’re not complicated or trendy, but they sure do work. Here are 10 lessons from folks who age well and stay active, maintaining health, energy, and independence through exercise. 1. Don’t wait for life to be perfectBarbara Warren kept competing in track events while waiting for knee replacement surgery. She sometimes finished last. She was still moving. Active older adults usually adjust instead of quitting, unlike others who bail as soon as something becomes uncomfortable. 2. Use the skills you already havePatti Baker started competing in track and field at 67. Her coach suggested hammer throwing because the former dancer knew how to turn her body with control. Often, your past experiences give you an advantage you didn’t realize. What have you done in life that you can transfer into new fitness activities? 3. Let someone push youBaker credits her trainer for helping her improve. “My trainer makes me work much harder than I would on my own,” she says. That’s true for most people. Coaching and accountability raise the bar. That could be with a trainer one-on-one, in a small group, or with a friend. 4. Keep your ego smallSwimming champ Bruce Williams praises other athletes before talking about himself. Humility keeps you learning. It also makes fitness communities stronger. We encourage each other at all levels. 5. Celebrate other people’s winsMany older athletes say the best part of training is the community. Fun, friendship and fitness keep people coming back 6. Stay active no matter your ageActress Helen Mirren, now in her late 70s, often reminds people that movement doesn’t have to be complicated. “It’s never too late to start doing something,” she said in an interview about her fitness routine. A walk. Yoga. Light strength work. It all counts. 7. Focus on what you can doEcris Williams, an 86-year-old athlete who survived World War II, still trains regularly despite health challenges. Her philosophy is simple: “Mind over matter. It could be worse.” Yes, we agree: It could be worse if you STOP moving! 8. Train with other peopleA group of Masters track athletes in Southern California always warms up together before practice. No shortcuts. “We’re accountable to each other,” one athlete explained. 9. Respect the basicsWarm up. Build gradually. Stay consistent. Olympic swimmer Rowdy Gaines advises older athletes to start slowly and build endurance over time, aiming for a few short sessions each week. Return to the fundamentals to protect the body. 10. Just keep showing upThe biggest difference between active older adults and everyone else is simple consistency. Research shows even about 20 minutes of daily movement can significantly improve longevity and health. Nothing fancy required. Just keep moving. |
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The "Primetime" newsletter is perfect for adults 50+ who want to maintain their health and vitality. Expect expert fitness tips, nutritional advice, inspiring success stories, exclusive discounts, event updates, and wellness resources in every email. Subscribe now to stay informed and motivated!
Consistency Beats Complexity: The Simple Way to Get Stronger After 50 Published on May 13th, 2025 If you've ever put off strength training because you didn't know where to begin, the latest guidance from the American College of Sports Medicine has reassuring news. You don't need the perfect workout. You don't need fancy equipment. You don't need to spend hours at the gym. And you don't have to chase the latest fitness trend on social media. What matters most is something much simpler: showing...
It's Halftime... How's Your Fitness Journey Going? Published on May 13th, 2025 Six months into the year, a lot of people start grading themselves. Did I hit my goals? Did I fall off? Am I ahead or behind? Here's a better way to think about it: this isn't a report card, it's halftime. No coach spends halftime handing out grades. They look at what's working, adjust what isn't, and figure out how to play the second half better than the first. That's it — just a clear-eyed look at the game so far...
Stay Strong. Stay Active. Protect Your Joints. Published on May 13th, 2025 If you're worried that exercise will hurt your joints, here's some good news: The right kind of strength training is one of the best things you can do for them. It sounds backwards, right. If your joints ache, you might naturally think to protect them by moving less. But the opposite is best: Motion is the lotion. Think of your muscles as a support system Your muscles act like scaffolding for your joints. For example:...