Start Working Out After 65

Sara Bliss, Yahoo News, Sep 3, 2014

When Patricia Wrixon realized that she could barely carry her groceries up to her second-floor walkup in Boston’s North End, the 72-year-old knew something had to give. For a minute, she considered moving to an apartment with an elevator. Then she tried something a little less radical—exercise.

Wrixon has a busy career as owner of The Salon at 10 Newbury, but working out wasn’t a priority. She thought she’d start slow with yoga, but the class was on the fourth floor, and it took 60 steps to get there—a workout in itself. So she joined Exhale, a local gym that offers yoga, stretching, and Core Fusion classes, a mix of barre, light weights, and mat work. She started by taking one-on-one yoga and stretching classes to ease herself into a routine. “I was afraid if I dove into a regular class, I might get hurt,” Wrixon says.

According to Los Angeles trainer Kendell Hogan, regional director for Crunch, starting out slow is the smart way to go when you’re taking up exercise after your 65th birthday. Hogan advises against high intensity, cardiovascular workouts or heavy weight-bearing exercise, which can elevate your heart rate too much or increase your risk of injury. According to the trainer, the most important thing is to just get people moving. “As you age you start to lose your muscle mass, so it’s important to stay active to stay strong,” Hogan tells Yahoo Beauty. “It’s not just about working out, it’s about being able to bend down and pick up groceries or pick up your grandchildren.”

After just six months of exercising three days a week, Wrixon is noticing some big results. “My balance is better; I can get dressed without leaning on something,” she says. “I have also noticed an increase in my stamina, which helps when you work 60 hours a week like I do, and I feel more active when taking care of my grandchildren.” And carrying groceries up the stairs? “No problem,” laughs Wrixon.