FIT AT
50
I
It’s never too late to get in shape, with many people in their fifties, sixties and beyond finding a whole new lease of life, says Matt Guy Wright f you’re reading this article
your muscle memory will snap
a week can reduce your body fat
and are over fifty, chances
back because the foundations of
by 3 per cent in only 10 weeks,
are that you’re wanting to
fitness were planted while your
even if you don’t cut a single
look and feel better. People
adult body was forming.
calorie. Add brisk walking,
in their middle age and beyond
We know our metabolism slows
swimming or cycling into the mix
are becoming more proactive in
down as we age, depressingly
and your entire body will quickly
their pursuit of fitness. ‘A great,
so for some. What we can get
start to tone up. Weightlifting is
toned, sculpted body is the new
away with in terms of eating and
very easy, and it is not reserved
must-have designer bag,’ as one
drinking in our twenties, the
only for those scary-looking
female client recently said to me.
body punishes us for mercilessly
muscle mountain type creatures
She has a body most 25-year-old
a few decades on. Once we hit
who huff and puff all day in
women would kill for. She is 66.
40, we start to pay for all of those
the gym, only to stand in a long
❝
black coat on the door outside
Having trained people of all different ages, shapes and sizes in my career, I have seen a dramatic change in the fitness demographic over the past few years. Looking great from head to toe is no longer a privilege of the
You wake up one day and the fat fairies have kidnapped that fabulous derrière of yours and taken those snake hips with it
young. I now train more people
Spearmint Hippo of an evening. Weight or strength training is safe and effective for women and men of all ages, including those who are not in perfect health. In fact, people with health concerns often benefit the most
in the forties to seventies age
little indulgencies – and boy does
from exercise that includes
range than ever before.
it show. You wake up one day and
lifting weights. It can be very
The most important fact
the fat fairies have kidnapped
powerful in reducing the signs
I tell people is this: no matter
that fabulous derrière of yours
and symptoms of numerous
how many years you haven’t
and taken those snake hips with
diseases and chronic conditions,
exercised, lifted a weight or
it. It’s time to take action; time
such as arthritis, diabetes,
walked further than from your
to get your assets back. The faster
osteoporosis, obesity, back pain
door to your car, your body will
your body moves, the faster your
and depression.
respond to exercise more easily
metabolism will, too, revving
than you think. If you were
your body up to be a leaner,
into an exercise routine is
sporty as a teenager and you’re
meaner, fat-burning machine.
especially beneficial to women
now in your fifties or older, 38 | W W W. SU SS E X ST Y L E.CO M | J U NE 2014
Just two weightlifting sessions
Incorporating strength training
post-menopause as it significantly