Are You Too Old to Exercise?

A primary purpose of the Greenwood Men's Group in Seattle is to encourage the physical fitness of its members. As we age, physical fitness is not something we can take for granted. We have to work at it, even if only to slow down physical decline.

Substantial evidence from intervention studies and observational research has demonstrated an array of positive health effects of physical activity in older populations.

However, it's easy for us to find excuses for not exercising on a regular basis. We're too tired. Not enough time. Gotta fix dinner. Run an errand. Fix that leaking faucet. Watch a Seahawks game. My arthritis is bothering me. I need to take a nap. The gym is too far away. Etc., etc.

The worst excuse of all is that we're just too old to exercise. The fact is, there is always some sort of exercise we can do regardless of our age or disability.

Are You Too Old for Exercise to Make a Difference?

Quick answer: NO!

You’re never too old to start exercising -- just ask a 93-year-old Richard Morgan.

Richard Morgan with wife Rita -- Is He Going to Eat That??

Richard is a onetime baker and battery maker with creaky knees who didn’t take up regular exercise until he was 73.  Retired and somewhat at loose ends then, he attended a rowing practice with one of his grandsons, a competitive collegiate rower. The coach invited him to use one of the machines.

He got hooked on rowing and never looked back. Now at age 93, he's as fit as a typical 40-year-old. Since starting rowing, he has rowed the equivalent of almost 10 times around the world and is a four-time world champion in indoor rowing.

Richard Morgan in a rowing competition in 2018

Think about it.

If Richard can transform himself from a couch potato at age 73 to a level of physical fitness of someone half his age, why can't you? It's never too late to set aside the excuses and get started.

Read more about Richard's story here.

Your Physical Fitness Can Inspire Others

Another reason for us older guys to exercise and be more physically fit is to inspire others to do the same, including family members and the younger generation. See the video below for an example.

Hurdling Life's Challenges and Vaulting into his 80s

What do you think of Joe Johnston's attitude towards life and staying fit? What is yours?

After Family Tragedy, Vincent Gully Began Running at Age 56

Vincent's Personal Motto

How do you know what you're capable of...until you give physical activity the best effort of which you are capable?

A distinguishing characteristic all these guys have is that they make exercise a habit. So why not habitually exercise to your capability? 

By doing so, you'll notice these guys have a zest for life and enjoy what they are doing. They have a purpose, experience a sense of satisfaction, have developed new social connections, found new friends, and increased their healthspan and longevity.

Is there anything here not to like?

Level up your physical activity for two weeks and see what happens. You have nothing to lose!

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The mission of of seattleseniormen.com and greenwoodmensgroup.com is to provide a supportive environment where men from diverse backgrounds can foster camaraderie, develop friendships, share wisdom, enrich one another's lives -- and contribute to all Seattle communities, including Greenwood, Ballard, Crown Hill, Fremont, Green Lake, Licton Springs, Loyal Heights, Magnolia, Phinney Ridge, Ravenna, Sunset Hill, Wallingford, Wedgwood, Whittier Heights. Bitter Lake, Broadview, Haller Lake, Queen Anne, and beyond.

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