Age no bar for fitness

Walk into any well-equipped gym, you will find both youngsters and middle-aged individuals working out with the same enthusiasm, doing heavy weights and high intensity workouts. Socialite and owner of 360 Degree Fitness, Sunitha Reddy, whose video showcasing her intense fitness activities went viral, says, “I have been working out for more than 10 years now. I love working out and hitting the gym every day, so my daily fitness routine is not a chore for me, it’s my lifestyle. It’s not just about looking and feeling good, it’s about keeping yourself fit to function properly in your everyday life.”

Amidst other kinds of workouts, Sunitha, who is in her early 50s, also incorporates HIIT or High-intensity interval training. “I work out for about an hour every day. I do a little bit of cardio to get started — either running on the treadmill or the Stairmaster. I strength train three times a week and do yoga the other three days,” she explains and adds, “I incorporate a little bit of HIIT and agility training. My favourite is doing weights; I feel very empowered. Functional and speed training helps me improve my agility and balance.”

45-year-old Aparna Rao, President of Blue Cross, has been working out since she was in her 20s and makes it a point to go to the gym 6 days a week. “Working out in the gym is really important to me. Not only do I enjoy it but I have a very bad slip disc problem, so working out and stretching every day allows me to function and go about my day normally. Working out is important physically and mentally for people of all ages but more so when you get older. It keeps you flexible and toned and builds your stamina,” she says.

Homemaker Sridevi Challa, who is in her early 50s, works out at least 5 to 6 times a week for about an hour and a half. “My routine consists of personal training three times a week and Zumba thrice a week and some cardio. Otherwise, I try to go for walks. Just because you’re nearing 50 doesn’t mean you can’t exercise. One must absolutely do some form of exercise, whether it is yoga, walking or going to the gym as it improves agility, strengthens muscles and builds stamina.”

“As one gets older, it’s important to work out. The benefits are plenty and there is no downside,” says Sunitha, adding, “Studies have proven that strength training improves bone density, helping us stay stronger. Aging also causes loss of muscle mass and we slow down tremendously. To retain our speed, mobility and agility, it is essential that we indulge in functional training. A by-product is of course, the amazing toned look your body gets from strength training.”

Tollywood fitness trainer Kuldep Sethi says, “There is no age limit to start your workouts — you may be 30, 40 or 50! I would recommend a minimum of 3 sessions of weight training, core and mobility training per week as this will increase your lean muscle mass, make you stronger and allow you to live a pain free and healthy lifestyle,” says Sethi.

He adds, “Post 30, your body starts losing 5 to 10 per cent of muscle mass and with each passing year, you lose 1 per cent of bone density. Also, post menopause body doesn’t absorb calcium as it used to before, which makes your bones much weaker and increases the risk of osteoporosis. This is why it is important to exercise and stay fit.”