How to Conquer Your Workout Goals When You’re Over 40
If you feel like you can no longer exercise in the same way as you used to and want to find ways to get a good work out in while decreasing the risk of injury, you might want to get a basic idea of how you can work out when it's not as easy as it used to be. Here are some tips for men who want to stay fit even after they are pushing forty:
Become a morning person
Getting up early not only gives you more time in the day to do things, but it also allows you to get your workout in before you carry on with other tasks. We know – no one likes to wake up early and it may sound absolutely horrible, but it will allow you to get your work out in so that you have no reason to skip out on it later.
If you have kids, a job, or any other obligations during the day, you will be grateful that you got your workout in before the rest of the stress began to set in. Instead of watching TV shows, sleeping in, or scrolling down your Instagram feed, start getting your body on a good sleeping schedule to ensure that you are getting the right amount of sleep.
That way, you can get up in the morning and get your workout done early on. You won’t have to think about whether or not you will want to go into the gym after work when you're already worn out and tired. Waking up to workout will also give you more energy to carry on with the day, so get up bright and early; start making a habit of it!
Prioritize injury prevention
Injuries occur more frequently in older people. It's unfortunate, but it's true. If you have already suffered from a previous injury, you are even more likely to have another. You will want to go easy on yourself when you are working out. Know your limits and don't push yourself way too hard. Before you hit the weights, make sure that you limber up with a warm-up jog or some dynamic stretching.
Your neck and back might be your main complaints, which is why you want to make sure that you give yourself rest days. Don't give up because of a little pain; it's normal with training. Make sure you get a trainer who knows your weaknesses so you don't push yourself too hard where you shouldn’t be. Drink plenty of water and make sure you pack the right gear when you are working out, especially when lifting. Gloves, for one, might help you better your grip.
Better your mobility
It's easy for older people to stiffen up as they age, so you will want to protect the parts that might be hurting. Make sure you address your injuries and the areas where you are feeling pain in order to successfully work out in a way that will not worsen the damage.
Keep your personal trainer in the loop
Make sure your trainer is informed about any issues or illnesses you might have. As long as they know your body's weaknesses and which parts of you that cannot be pushed as hard as others, you will be in the green. It's best to keep your trainer informed so that they can help you with your form and better your performance. We help with fitness for men over 40, get in touch & look at our other posts for more tips.
About the Author
FitDadChris
Jack of all trades... master of none! Father of 3 awesome boys, husband to 1 amazing wife! Obstacle racer, procrastinator, computer nerd, trying not to follow the herd!