5 Myths About Getting Fit After 50 You Need to Ditch

I’m 61, a NASM-certified personal trainer, and lifting weights has completely changed my life! 

I move better, look better, feel better, and get a lot more done. 

Midlife isn’t the end. Nope! It’s your launchpad to build strength, lose weight, and feel better. 

But myths about fitness after 50, like “you’re too old” or “you’ll get hurt,” drain your drive and keep you trapped in a rut, missing out on the life-changing power of exercise. 

These lies whisper doubt, making you think strength and vitality are out of reach.

BUT they’re not! 

Getting fit can transform your energy, confidence, and independence, and I’m here to help you break free and start moving.

I love debunking these lies and defying aging stereotypes.

It’s why I do what I do! My ethos? Stronger. At. Any. Age. 

Strength has no expiration date, and I’m here to help you rewrite the rules of aging. 

So, let’s crush five big fat myths with facts, simple steps, and actionable tips to get you moving today.

Why Myths About Fitness After 50 Hold You Back

Myths about aging and exercise aren’t just wrong. They’re soul-crushing. Honestly… they are! 

They plant doubts like “I’m too old” or “I’ll hurt myself,” making fitness feel risky or pointless. 

This fear leads to inaction, and that’s when atrophy kicks in. Atrophy sucks, big time. It leaves you with low energy, weaker muscles, achy joints, and a higher risk of chronic conditions. 

The soreness of a workout? Temporary. 

The pain of muscle loss? It lingers and drags you down. 

The truth?  Fitness after 50 is transformative, boosting strength, mobility, and mental clarity. 

Today, let’s ditch the myths and build a fitness habit to change your life.

Myth 1: You’re Too Old to Start Exercising

Truth:  You’re never too old to get fit and strong.

Research highlighted in Men’s Health shows that older adults, even those with mobility issues, can improve strength and reduce disability risk by about 20% through regular resistance training. 

While muscle growth may be slower after 50, your body still responds to exercise, building strength and boosting mobility to keep you thriving.

Action Step: Just start! Try bodyweight exercises like chair squats (10 reps, 2 sets) or wall push-ups. Progress to light dumbbells (3-5 lbs) for bicep curls. 

Aim for 2-3 sessions per week, 20 minutes each. Need a warm-up? Check out my free eBook, Your Dynamic 50+ Warm-up Guide, with 15 active stretches to prep your body for strength training.

Myth 2: You’ll Get Injured if You Exercise

Truth:  Exercise is safer than sitting still, and older adults recover better than you think. A study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, cited in Parade, found that "older adults didn’t lose more muscle function than younger adults.

In fact, after 48 hours, their muscle soreness was about two-thirds lower, and after 72 hours, it dropped to just one-third of what their younger counterparts experienced." 

And, “These findings are significant because they challenge the widespread belief that aging muscles recover more slowly or are more prone to exercise-induced damage."

Atrophy aches worse than any workout—trust me, I train people over 50, and the mild discomfort of lifting beats the lingering pain of muscle loss every time!

Action Step: Over 50? 60? Just start! Try push-ups, bodyweight squats, or a cheap set of dumbbells. Train 2-3 times a week, 15-20 minutes. On off days, walk to boost your step count, bike, hike, or even run. 

Keep it simple to build the fitness habit. Not sure where to begin? 

Read my guide on getting fit after 50: Fit, Strong, and Lean After 50.

Myth 3: It’s Too Late to Build Muscle

Truth:  You can pack on muscle even in your 70s and beyond. A 2023 study in Frontiers in Physiology, featured in Men’s Health, found that untrained men in their 70s and 80s built muscle just as effectively as lifelong athletes after a single resistance workout, proving it’s never too late to get stronger. 

The site mentioned 78-year-old Ernie Hudson, who looked amazing for his age.

Age may slow testosterone, but smart training—like heavy compound lifts—sparks growth and keeps you thriving.

Action Step: Grab some resistance bands or dumbbells for seated rows (8-10 reps, 2 sets). Eat 0.5-0.7g of protein per pound of body weight daily (e.g., 75g for a 150-lb person) to fuel muscle repair. 

Want to start with dumbbells? 

My free eBook, Dumbbell Fitness Made Simple, offers easy, effective exercises to kickstart your routine. Download it now—no email needed.

Myth 4: You Need Intense Workouts to See Results

Truth: Moderate, consistent exercise is the key. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly for older adults, like brisk walking or light weightlifting. 

People get excited, jump in, burn out, and fizzle. NOT good!

Good habits eat motivation for breakfast. 

Start small, build a routine that fits your life, and after 30+ days, it becomes part of your day.

Action Step: Walk 20 minutes daily at a good pace. Add one full-body dumbbell workout weekly (e.g., squats, chest presses, rows; 10 reps each, 2 sets). 

Try push-ups, bodyweight squats, or light dumbbells 2-3 times a week. 

Off days?  Walk, bike, or hike. Need inspiration? Read, Fit, Strong, and Lean After 50. My little ebook shares five steps to revive your metabolism and build muscle.

Myth 5: Fitness Won’t Improve Your Quality of Life

Truth:  Regular exercise transforms how you feel and live, especially as you age. This study found that men over 65 who exercised at least 45 minutes three times a week scored significantly higher in life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-efficacy compared to those who didn’t exercise. 

Getting fit isn’t just about lifting weights. It IS about climbing stairs with confidence, carrying groceries like a pro, and feeling unstoppable at any age.

Action Step: Kick off your day with a quick 10-minute routine: 5 minutes of stretching (think arm circles or leg swings) and 5 minutes of bodyweight moves like sit-to-stands. 

Track how your energy and mood improve each week. 

My Journey and Expertise

At 61, I’m proof that fitness after 50 changes everything. As a NASM-certified trainer, I turned my health around after battling low energy and joint pain in my 50s. 

I shifted from a cardio-heavy routine in my 40s to strength training and smart nutrition in my 50s. 

The secret? Small, daily actions pave the way for lasting results that will improve your life!

Take Control of Your Fitness Today.

Forget what they told you—midlife is your time to shine. 

YEP, you CAN build strength, lose weight, and feel AMAZING. 

So, get after it! 

The key to getting fit? 

Build the fitness habit. Start small with workouts you enjoy, stay consistent, and watch your life change. 

Let’s rewrite the rules of aging together. 

Resources:

Check out my eBooks, guides, and tools to help you get fit, strong, and lean after 50.