Is 40 Too Old to Start Intensive Exercise?

First of all, anyone who is a confirmed couch potato and over 40 years old, should have a complete physical, including an EKG and possible a stress test, in order to determine if they are healthy enough for intense physical exercise.  If you fit enough, great!  If you are not, there are still ways that you can ease into a workout regimen slowly, but that should be done with clinical guidance.

The Good News Is:

1.  If you begin intensive exercise after age 40 get similar benefits to those who started prior to age 30, including lower resting heart rate and higher maximum oxygen uptake.

2.  Among those who start exercising at age 50 and continue for 10 years, the rate of premature death declines dramatically, similar to giving up smoking and mirroring the level seen among people who have been working out their entire lives.

3.  Once you hit the age of 30, you enter "somatopause," at which point your levels of human growth hormone (HGH) begin to drop off quite dramatically (this is part of what drives your aging process).  The good news is that high intensity interval training (HIIT), boosts your body's natural production of HGH, which will help address the muscle loss and atrophy that typically occurs with aging.

Starting any exercise program is beneficial at virtually any age.  Depending on your starting point, you may have to ease into it slowly with qualified professional guidance.    

As long as you are willing and are motivated, there is an excellent chance that you can regain much of your youthful vigor and vitality!  It is amazing what you can accomplish and how much you can improve your health and your potential longevity!

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