As you get older, your body changes.
And according to certified personal trainer and VP of Programming and Education at Body Fit Training Steve Stonehouse, so should the way you work out.
By the time you’re in your 30s, you’ve probably figured out a fitness routine that works for you.
But Stonehouse said that as you approach your 50s, you have to begin adjusting for the symptoms of aging.
He explained that men in their 50s need to make some changes to their fitness routines.
‘As the body ages, there’s a natural decline in muscle mass, bone density, and metabolic rate, which makes it harder to maintain a lean physique and bounce back from intense workouts,’ Stonehouse said.
At the time, your body’s mobility begins to decline as well, which limits the kinds of movements you can do safely and effectively.
And if you’re an active person, you know that form is extremely important.
Certified personal trainer Steve Stonehouse said that as men age, their mobility declines (stock image)
‘It’s not about slowing down, it’s about training smarter and more intentionally to avoid injury and build longevity,’ Stonehouse said.
So how exactly do you train smarter?
‘First, strength training becomes even more essential, not just for muscle tone but also for maintaining bone health and metabolic rate,’ he explained.
This is where low-impact exercises like walking, resistance band training, or modified strength workouts can be effective.
Stonehouse also emphasized the importance of flexibility and mobility work at this age – which is why he said dynamic stretching and yoga-based movements are important to incorporate into regular movements.
And more important than anything else, he said recovery needs to be prioritized.
‘This includes adequate sleep, active recovery days, and not overloading the body with high-intensity training too frequently,’ he said.
And this isn’t just about being in your 50s.
Strength training, flexibility, and yoga-based movements are important for men in their 50s to incorporate into regular workout routines (stock image)
Stonehouse explained that people of different age groups have different physical capabilities, limitations, and priorities.
While 30-year-old men may still be building peak strength and endurance, 50-year-old men should be shifting their focus to preventing injury, maintaining mobility, and counteracting age-related muscle loss.
‘Marketing workouts by age group helps target the specific needs and goals that become more relevant at each stage, offering more effective and realistic fitness solutions,’ he said.
And if you’re a man in your 50s who’s never actually had a fitness routine before and therefore don’t really have much to ‘change’ so much as to create from scratch, Stonehouse said to be patient with yourself.
‘Start simple, stay consistent, and don’t compare yourself to your 30-year-old self,’ he said.
He suggested starting off with walking, and combining that with light weights.
The most important part to starting any fitness journey is to focus on building habits instead of chasing rapid results.
‘And most importantly, listen to your body,’ Stonehouse said.
‘Progress might be slower, but it’s absolutely possible – and incredibly rewarding – to get fit at any age.’
