Experts Finally Bust These 6 Myths About Fitness After 50

Myth #4: ‘Lifting weights is harming my joints’

We’ve already discussed that cardio sports such as running are beneficial for your joints especially as you age. But what about lifting weights?

Not only do many people think this type of exercise can affect their muscles and joints, but some are even convinced that they’re physically unable to perform such movements.

If you are a healthy individual without any restrictions from your physician, there is absolutely no reason to avoid this kind of physical activity. If you’re a beginner in the domain, it’s ideal that you ask a personal trainer for advice on choosing the right weights and performing each exercise correctly.

Myth #5: ‘I should avoid feeling pain from exercising’

A good session of exercise usually comes with muscle soreness in different areas in your body. Not only is this healthy, but it’s actually a great sign that your body is working well in building muscle again. Remember that this type of pain goes away on its own as your muscle tissue repairs itself, while also increasing your endurance for future fitness sessions.

Paul Gardner, PT, GCS, administrator of community rehab for Hillcrest Rehab Services, says that there are certain types of pain which signal the fact that you should reduce exercise intensity. If you feel anything that seems more than usual post-workout fatigue or muscle soreness, make sure to contact a specialist; it may be nothing, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.