Fitness should be safe and fun, not frustrating. It should open doors, not close them. Believe it or not, some mature adults are discouraged from working out by well-meaning people using old stereotypes. “Put that thing down before you hurt yourself.” 

If you haven’t been subjected to such nonsense, then good for you. You might have been told that some exercises or fitness equipment is off-limits based simply on your age. 

Cody Sipe, a professor and co-founder of the Functional Aging Institute, works to erode ageism. He looks to limit the myths that keep mature adults from living their best lives.

Cody says the focus should be on functional ability – not an individual’s age.

“Depending on each client, we trainers can use all the tools at our disposal – including strength machines, barbells, elliptical trainers, step climbers and more for clients at any age,” Cody says.

As long as you’re physically capable and have proper instruction, mature people can use any of a gym’s equipment that younger people use.

Age is just a number and we encourage you to pursue health and wellness at any point in life!  

“I think of age as an acquisition, not a loss” Diane Von Furstenberg, 72