5 tips for getting and staying active at any age

Thanks to these 5 concrete tips, I can start exercising again regardless of my age without rushing, and I enjoy it. No more false notions: if I take all the necessary precautions to adapt my activity to my physical condition, exercise can only be good for me!

Getting started with exercise is possible at any age

We all know the stories of athletes who have been training since childhood. But it’s never too late to start exercising: I can improve my fitness and stay active at any age.
An American study of more than 300,000 participants aged 15 to 61 suggests that starting physical activity in adulthood (particularly after the age of 40) is as beneficial as exercising since adolescence, with a 35% reduction in all-cause mortality factors.
So, I’m going for it, no matter why I want to exercise:
Stay toned
Reduce back pain
Maintain a healthy weight
Counteract age-related decline in bone and muscle density
Improve my sleep
Enjoy myself and reduce stress
Various other reasons

I choose an activity I like

The key to a successful return to exercise is to enjoy each session. With an activity adapted to my abilities, I make sure I stay motivated:
Already active, I want to make more room for exercise in my life: I set myself a challenge, such as participating in a race near my home or going for a hike.
With my relatively sedentary job, I feel I need to move around more: I walk whenever I can and do some cardio exercises like cycling, swimming or rowing.
I want to have fun: I sign up for a group Zumba, fitness or dance class. I start doing daily tasks to music and so on.
There are dozens of other physical activities of varying degrees of intensity that I can enjoy: fencing, climbing, kickboxing, skipping rope, qigong, Pilates, yoga, etc.

I am patient: I remember to warm up and stretch

I prepare for my return to exercise: I start off gently, listening to the signals sent by my body. I always allow at least 10 minutes for a warm-up to accompany the acceleration of my heart rate. After the workout, I stretch to limit the development of aches and pains.
If my state of health requires it or if I want to gradually intensify my sessions without worrying, I make an appointment with my GP for a check-up.
I go at my own pace, and I persevere: I know why I am taking this step and my only goal is to feel good. I will be quickly rewarded for my efforts!

I train my body as well as my mind

Taking care of oneself also involves the mind: meditation exercises can help me breathe well, concentrate and have more confidence in myself. I don’t see exercise as a separate activity in my life: on the contrary, everything I do on a daily basis helps me to stay fit. I decided to do myself good by eating better, sleeping well and staying active.
By paying attention to what I do every day, such as sitting down, getting in and out of my car, carrying my groceries or lifting my arms, I give every movement my body makes the same importance as an athlete does to technical movements and I keep myself fit.

I’m trying out connected coaching: customised exercise with guidance

If I haven’t exercised for a long time, a coach can help me achieve the best form of exercise and calibrate my sessions.
If you want to exercise at home, you can use connected coaching! On iFIT, I can find dozens of training ideas adapted to all ages and physical conditions:
Strength training to maintain muscle mass
Yoga sessions
Running for all levels with series to get you started
Rowing
Stationary cycling
Other activities
I’m taking action: exercise is for everyone, and it’s possible for me, too, right now!
Can you start exercising at any age?
There is no age limit for starting physical activity. The health benefits are the same whether you start at 20 or after 40! To begin exercising again, I choose an activity that I enjoy, and I make sure I warm up properly and give my body time to recover. I go at my own pace, perhaps with the help of a coach.

Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2727269

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