Writing to Seniors

Many years ago, I decided to write about fitness for older adults. The first thing I did was decide at what age to call my readers “seniors.” So I took a tip from AARP and AMAC, the seniors’ advocacy companies that seem to know when anyone anywhere turns 50.

I followed their lead: people age 50 and above would be my core audience, even though 50 seemed to me early in life to be considered a senior.

However, a gradual decline in physical ability does begin even earlier than 50. On average, its starts at somewhere around age 35. Still, most people who take care of themselves are able to perform well, though maybe not at their absolute peak, well into their 40s.

At about age 50, however, consideration to more age-appropriate physical efforts should be given. Certain kinds of workouts or competitions, in fact, may do us more harm than good. Particularly, excessive stress on tendons, ligaments, and joints may result in chronic aches and pains that take the fun out of life later on.

As I got older I first noticed that I didn't recover as quickly after hard workouts. I also experienced some shoulder pain I never had before. Through trial and error, I found that bench pressing made my shoulders sore. I replaced the movement with a variety of push-ups and the pain went away. For me, the push-ups made more sense.

(The bench press, by the way, is notorious. I have known guys — it’s usually men — who stubbornly try to push through chronic rotator cuff pain and are eventually unable to do any exercise involving their shoulders. Sometimes surgery corrects this, but not always.)

Years ago, I did some long-distance running. I was just a middle-of-the-pack plodder, though I did complete some long, tough events. Today, I sometimes go to watch young family members run in long-distance races. At the finish lines I also invariably see a few very senior runners. I admire their determination. But to tell you the truth some look unhealthy. I think to myself that they’d be better off running shorter distances and putting more effort into some muscle building and strength training.

Dedicated martial artists provide other examples. Many who love the discipline but continue to practice so-called “hard” styles into middle-age and beyond are often rewarded with chronic back and joint problems. Continuing training but changing to softer or so-called "internal" styles might be better choices as they get older.

The late, great Steve Reeves pre-competition full-body workouts lasted from two to three hours of heavy lifting and intensity. Still today, many seniors write and ask about how he trained. I refer them to a site but remind them that his were pre-competition workouts and he was in his 20s. By the time he reached his 70s, he was doing mostly two sets per exercise and working with cables and a Universal machine, not heavy free weights and the intensity of his youth. He never stopped training but he knew enough to adjust and scale down.

Bob Hoffman, who owned the York Barbell Company and years ago published Strength & Health magazine would tell readers: “Train. Don’t strain.” It was good advice then and it’s still good advice today.

Test yourself personally. If in the morning following training days you are not fully recovered, your body is telling you something. You are probably doing too much or pushing too hard. Back off a bit. Take a good look at what and how much you are doing.

Never stop training, but do adjust and make it age-appropriate. Remember that your mission is to stay as fit as possible for as long as possible. Beating yourself up isn't the way to do it.

Stay healthy. Stay fit.

Logan

Senior Exercise Central

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Sincerely,

Logan Franklin
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter
www.senior-exercise-central.com