Q&A with Dr. P: Exercise While Aging

Written and medically reviewed by Naomi Parrella, MD

Staying Safe, Retaining Muscle and Movement, Knee Replacements, and What to Do About Hip Pain

It can be intimidating to think about working out in an aging body. Maybe you want to get back to a former fitness level, or maybe you’re finally prioritizing movement in your life for the first time. Either way, congratulations! Your body will thank you.

A lot of exercise advice is geared toward people in their prime, so when I spoke to Dr. Jeremy Alland, a sports medicine physician at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush in Chicago, Illinois, I brought up some of the questions that are more common from my midlife and senior patients. We both agreed: The most important thing to do as you age is to keep moving! So the advice that follows is intended to help you do just that.

How should I think about exercise as I age? Is there a way to know how much is too much versus not enough?

The most important thing to do is simple but challenging: Learn to listen to your body. Pain is the most obvious indicator that something is off, but if you feel lightheaded or even if one of your normal workouts doesn’t feel good, it’s okay to cut back, lower the intensity,