I get irritated when people try to scare older adults away for intense exercise. A more help framing is the need to build capacity over time and not get ahead of ourselves, but we can absolutely build strength and durability. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

A little over a year ago I had my left shoulder replaced and today I finally benched 135 for 2 reps. John Longoria makes sure I don’t get ahead of myself but I’m beyond pleased with my post surgical recovery. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

I used to baby an injury for months and my physical therapist has helped me understand that tissue needs appropriate loading to heal. He helped me rehab a hamstring years ago and I’m confident he’ll work the same magic with my Achilles. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Tenacity is great but you can carry it too far. It’s important to listen to our bodies and not bite off more than we can chew. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

There’s overwhelming evidence that older adults can safely build strength and improve their mobility. If you haven’t exercised in a while or you have health issues work with your doc and a trainer or physical therapist but find an approach that works for you. #startwhereyouare #agingshouldntsuck

Life is too short to stay glued to the couch or having the floor off limits. I want to be able to get on the floor and play with my granddaughter and not have her worried about breaking grandpa. #startwhereyouare ##doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Strength training makes navigating everyday life easier. Being able to pick up a bag of groceries, a grandkid or your end of the couch without wrecking your back is important. We’re not fragile but we do need to build strength and capacity to protect our independence. #startwhereyouare

I’ve had several people over the years wonder why I “waste” so much time exercising. There were a bunch of years that I didn’t exercise and I don’t want to go back to feeling like that again if I can help it. I like how I feel when I’m exercising. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

I’m getting a little more consistent with exercise but there’re always things that I know I need to work into the mix. Yoga is one of those things. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

One of the great things about TRX straps is that you can quickly scale an exercise. The closer my feet are to the bar the harder the exercise. Move your feet a little further away and it’s a lot easier. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

It’s tempting to think that your opportunity to get stronger has come and gone but that’s simply not true. Ease in, be patient with yourself and prepare to amaze yourself! #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Being able to get up and down off the ground is a critical capability to preserve. Regardless of our starting point it’s possible to start rebuilding strength and things that feel impossible today may feel more doable down the road. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Mobility work like this is humbling because the movement is pretty minimal and early on I’d get cramps in my quads that I’d describe as muscular tantrums. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Don’t take your mobility or your strength for granted. If we’re deliberate and willing to put in some effort we can absolutely change how we experience aging. Aging is inevitable but it shouldn’t suck. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Not every exercise that you see on line is going to be a good fit for you. Some of them might work with modifications. I like this one because you can vary the weight and you can do it beside something that you can use to steady yourself. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Falling is the leading cause of accidental death for folks over 65. Balance drills are helpful but they’re only part of the puzzle. We also need strength and power work to improve our durability and to be able to exert force quickly to keep a stumble from becoming a fall. #startwhereyouare

I stopped lifting weights for years and so grateful that I picked it back up again in my 60s. I’m amazed at how much better my body feels when I give it challenging things to do. New PR today of 315. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

A stability ball can humble you in a hurry. The first time I tried this I struggled to hold it for 20 seconds. I worked at it for a while and managed a couple of minutes but if I don’t do it regularly it’s almost like starting over. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

It’s easy to convince ourselves that we’re stuck where we are because of our age or medical conditions. Exercise and building strength are the best things we can do to improve how we feel. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

I’m encouraged when I seem my peers embrace resistance training and all of the benefits that come with it. It improves confidence but it also makes us more durable and less fragile. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

I love sink squats and I’ll also use this set up to stretch out my back and shoulders. It’s tempting to over do it if you haven’t exercised in a long time. Be patient with yourself and enjoy the process. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

I sort of stumbled on to this one just trying to stretch out my feet and quads and the fact that I could surprised me. I’ve also learned about mobility just watching how my 3 year old granddaughter moves. She makes it look effortless. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

I recently talked with someone that had her knee replaced and her surgeon was adamant that she would be kneeling on it again. My physical therapist makes it part of his rehab program. If regaining that capacity is important to you, you might see if your doc’s or PT’s thinking on it has changed.

Pain can be debilitating and I never want to trivialize or diminish that. It’s why I’m always suggesting that people work with their doc or physical therapist to find modifications to various exercises that work for them. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

If we want to influence how aging feels we need to do the work to build strength and yes that even includes those of us with arthritis. Exercise is a gift we can give ourselves. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Exercise makes us more durable and better equipped to deal with the stuff that life throws at us. It helps us maintain our independence. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Upper body strength can help us get up off the floor. The hands free options are great if you can manage them, but the main thing is to find a strategy that works for you. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Everyone’s experience is different but improving my leg strength as well as better hip and ankle mobility made a big difference in how my knees feel. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

In order for exercise to change your life you have to start. Pushups against a kitchen counter is a great starting point. Ease in and keep going. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Exercise has to challenge us if it’s going to help us but we can’t let it wreck us. It’s easy to convince ourselves that we’re too old or too weak or whatever to exercise but that movie doesn’t end well. Start where you are and if necessary get help but find a way to ease in. #startwhereyouare

Slam ball throws help us develop power or the ability to apply force quickly. It’s a capability that we lose as we age unless we’re deliberate about preserving and improving it. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Exercise can change how aging feels but we have to find a safe way to get started and we have to stick with it. #startwhereyouare #agingshouldntsuck

Any of the bear crawl, crab walk, duck walk exercises are brutal. This one hammers your arms and shoulders, core, legs and feet. If you try it, ease in. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

It’s important that you find exercises that work for you. This one doesn’t bother my knees but it absolutely might not be appropriate for you and your knees. I’ll defer to your doc, your PT or your knees. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Bulgarian split squats will hurt your feelings and even without adding extra weight they’re pretty humbling. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Aging shouldn’t suck but it can be awfully challenging if we don’t have the strength, mobility and stamina to negotiate the tasks of daily living. The good news is that even just a few minutes a day of exercise can begin to make a difference. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

My balance is a lot better than it was years ago but I still have a lot of work to do. When you add a balance pad to this it drastically increases the difficulty. You can do it for time or for reps. Doing 3 sets of 10 clockwise and counter clockwise for each leg is a lot harder than I expected.

If we want to influence how aging feels then we have to do the work. There aren’t any shortcuts or biohacks that are going magically transform us. The magic is when you realize that exercise is a privilege and not a punishment. #enjoythejourney #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Strength isn’t optional if we want to influence how aging feels. If you’re just getting started, ease in. Squats holding on to the kitchen sink, push ups against the counter, just find a way to start working it in to your day. #startwhereyouare #exercisesnacks #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Joni Mitchell said it best: “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone”. My goal is to get you thinking about it while it’s still easy. Do something challenging today- the older version of you will thank you! #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Strength & mobility are things that a lot of people take for granted. I hear from folks that have lost theirs and it makes me appreciate how precious they are and worthy of deliberate attention. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

I’m doing this frequently enough that it should start paying dividends. As I’ve said before, exercise should better equip us to navigate the obstacles that cross our paths. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

When my ankle and hip mobility improved and my legs and glutes got stronger my knees started feeling better. I’ll do 3- 4 sets of 30-40 seconds on each leg. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

I’ve lived in a two story home before but for the past few weeks we’ve been in 3rd floor walk up. Groceries and especially a 50 pound container of water gets heavy in a hurry. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

This is a little more accessible version of the world’s greatest stretch, it’s dialed down a little. I like both versions and I also love the open book stretch to open up my back and shoulders. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

I’m consistently impressed with what people are able to accomplish once they give themselves permission to. It’s easy to convince ourselves that where we are is as good as it gets. Stubbornness has it’s advantages. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

When something is called The World’s Greatest Stretch that sets a pretty high bar. My physical therapist frequently uses this one as a warm up. I’ll post an easier version tomorrow. I usually do 3 sets of 10 on each side. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

If you’re looking for a little spicier version of a plank this might qualify. If this is too ambitious try doing planks against a kitchen countertop. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck #decide

I got introduced to TRX in physical therapy years ago. They’re a valuable resource for resistance work but also for a balance and mobility work as well. #trx #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck

Our bodies are begging us to give them something challenging to do. It doesn’t have to be extreme. In fact we need to ease in and build up over time but if we’re patient and a little stubborn we can do amazing things. #startwhereyouare #doyourwarmups #agingshouldntsuck