As far as I am concerned there’s never a bad time to try to keep your body and mind as fit and agile
as possible. Exercise at any age is a good habit to adopt, as long as it suits the individual’s needs and abilities.

If you can maintain your general fitness as you get older it helps in so many ways; from preserving
your mobility, raising energy levels and reducing the risk of injury through loss of balance/coordination/strength.

And if that’s not enough good news, according to British Heart Foundation research, the more active
you are in later life, the more likely it is that you have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and even better brain function.

Clients of All Ages
I am lucky to be working with a wide range of clients of varying ages who are at different stages
along their fitness ‘journey’. Creating routines and classes to match their distinct needs is what keeps
me on my toes and encourages me to offer them new challenges along the way.

Many of my clients are 40 yrs + and I am delighted that they give me the opportunity to design, deliver and oversee their exercise and healthy lifestyle changes.
My experience has been that a different approach is often required when creating programmes for
individuals who are within this broad age range (40-65yrs) because their needs, physical capabilities and and expectations are very different to, say, clients in their 20s.

When it comes to a more ‘mature’ approach to exercise and wellbeing, instead of simply adhering to
traditional methodologies, it’s important to approach wellness activities with flexibility, mindfulness,
and an understanding of the changes that naturally occur in the body over time.

Stress and anxiety can accumulate as responsibilities and life transitions mount up and changes in
hormonal levels that accompany ageing affect energy, metabolism, and emotional health.
In addition, hormonal shifts which occur during perimenopause and menopause can impact sleep,
weight gain, and mental health. A tailored fitness plan can help mitigate some of the physical and
emotional effects of these changes which occur in all women after 40 (ish!).

Let’s be honest, everybody is different and, on top of that, as we age our bodies start to almost
dictate what each of us is able to do physically. The important thing is to do something rather than
do nothing and the job of a personal trainer is to work with a client to find what exercise works for
THEM. As women age, their needs and goals may vary greatly, so flexibility is key to
staying engaged and motivated.

Keep Moving. Stay Active
I think most health-aware people know that some level of physical activity is highly-desirable at any
age; and the older they become, the more importance they should place in their daily fitness
routine.
In fact, NHS guidelines are clear in recommending that “older adults should do some type of physical
activity every day. It can help to improve your health and reduce the risk of heart disease and
stroke”.

I’m a strong advocate for anyone who is new to exercise or hasn’t exercised for some time, or
perhaps has a health condition, to speak to their GP before embarking on a fitness regime.
Then it’s over to me to tailor your exercise to your needs

Light Activity
For example, I will see some clients at the gym, face-to-face in their homes or virtually via “Zoom”
and will coach them to engage in light activity movements in order that they simply maintain a range
of motion. For example, lifting light weights, stretches, flexing, resistance bands, gentle lunges, squats, balance exercises etc. My aim is to create a sustainable and enjoyable fitness routine that emphasizes movement and functional strength rather than sheer intensity.
We’re not aiming to put too much strain on the body. Maybe even some deep breathing techniques
(e.g., diaphragmatic breathing) and relaxation techniques to help relieve stress and emotional
strains. Possibly some low-impact cardio such as going for a walk. Basically activity which can be maintained consistently

Raise the Bar a Little
If I have assessed that a client needs to engage in slightly more “intensive” activity then I’m aiming
to raise their heart rate, make them breathe faster and increase their body temperature. And I have
a number of tried-and-trusted ways of achieving these objectives in bespoke routines either in their
homes or at the gym.

Sustaining fitness in midlife and later life does not mean forgetting exercises that maintain and grow
your strength. If anything, training your muscles and joints to manage the various physical strains
and stresses of everyday life is key to allowing you to be healthy and safe in a world
where stairs, steps, slopes, hills, kerbs, drain covers, uneven pavements, shop doorways, escalators etc. are all out there waiting for us!

Fitness On Your Terms and In Your Own Time
Ultimately, for the more ‘mature’ person, the focus should be on creating a lifestyle that promotes overall health, nurtures well-being, and embraces the body and what it can do. Fitness doesn’t have to be
about keeping up with younger standards; it’s about thriving in your own time.

Research and Acknowledgments
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-older-adults/
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/exercise/
https://weareundefeatable.co.uk/about-us/
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/activity/exercise-older-adults
https://www.fightingfifty.co.uk/articles/top-10-health-and-fitness-tips-women-over-50/