We partnered with Planet Fitness to bring you this article, all opinions are my own.
Once you hit 40, your mind says you’re 25 but your body starts telling you that youth is slipping away. For those of us who are still active and adventurous, it can be hard to accept the fact that we can’t do things as if we were 25. In my 20’s and 30’s I could go without exercising for months and jump right back into it as if I never stopped. Sure, I had sore muscles but within a couple days I was back in the groove.
I was hit by a bus
I can sometimes do something as simple as wash all my floors and my body will hurt the next day. As a travel writer and someone who loves adventure I often have opportunities to participate in fun activities. The problem is, the next day I feel like I was hit by a bus. This is what the age of 40 brings, yay us 40 year olds. 
Consistency is important
I have found as a mature woman (I hate that I’m in that bracket now) we have to be consistent with exercising and eating healthy. Thinking about those sore muscles can block us going back to the gym, but deep down inside, we know within a week our muscles are no longer sore. My biggest gym block is walking in and being judged, not to mention my schedule is unlike anyone else’s. I want a gym to operate on my schedule and I want a “Judgement Free” gym.
The gym for everyone
Planet Fitness is right around the corner from me (find one near you) and I have been wanting to get back there for months……ok, years. I’ve been a member before and I loved it. Truthfully I don’t remember why I stopped going. I think it was pure laziness of getting there. I have decided I will be going back today and hope you will join me. From May 1 – 12, new members can join any Planet Fitness location for just $5 down and then $10 a month with no commitment. The gym is known for being a Judgement Free Zone® and no high pressure sales people. 
Make it right for you
Many Planet Fitness clubs are open 24/7 and they cater to us, the “everyday people.” I’m not a fitness guru or body builder and I need my gym to understand my life doesn’t center around working out but I do want it included in my lifestyle. Planet Fitness has made a name for itself in the fitness industry with extremely low prices and offers a variety of benefits including all the latest cardio and strength equipment, fully equipped locker rooms, flat screen televisions, unlimited small group fitness instruction by a certified trainer through the pe @ pf® program, and much more.
Tips for Mature Moms 40 and over (some tips provided by Brian Zehetner, Director of Health & Fitness at Planet Fitness) 
- Get a gym buddy! If you can find a friend who will go with you, it will make it easier. You will be able to give each other support as well as push each other to stay on track. If you don’t have a buddy, Planet Fitness also provides members with an opportunity to connect and support each other with “Planet of Triumphs,” an online community that celebrates all accomplishments and inspirational stories of Planet Fitness members. Planet of Triumphs provides an online platform for members to recognize their triumphs (big or small), share their stories and encourage others, reinforcing their belief that ‘everyone belongs.’
- Try to focus on functional exercises, as these will increase mobility and stability, thereby improving balance and reducing the risk of falls.
- As we age, it takes us a bit longer to recover between exercise sessions, so it’s important to keep this in mind when determining your exercise schedule.
- Be aware that biking and the elliptical will put less stress on the joints, so these may be the preferred cardio options.
- However, weight-bearing exercise is also important. Let’s not forget to strength train given the prevalence of osteopenia, osteoporosis (bone loss), and sarcopenia (muscle loss) as we age.
Find a Planet Fitness club near you!
Connect on social
- Facebook: @planetfitness
- Twitter: @PlanetFitness
- Instagram: @planetfitness
** The content provided by Planet Fitness is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should consult your physician or other health care professional before following any fitness advice to determine if it is right for your needs.
These are great tips. I’m not 40 yet, but I can already feel myself starting to lose some of my resiliency. I find that if I work out every day, that improves, however.
Girl, PREACH! I recently started working out again in earnest, and for a week after I started, I felt like I caught a beat down after every workout. Consistency is key, though. Since I’ve been working out regularly, my body has acclimated to it.
I’ve heard from a lot of people that Planet Fitness keeps a really welcoming environment for new people. It sounds like a good place to get back into shape.
Loving these fitness tips for mature woman. I am reaching up there … probably should take your tips into consideration! Thanks for the tips and the info about Planet Fitness, they really seem like a great gym!
I’m only 37 and a lot of this definitely applies to me. My body is starting to slow down a bit, but I know with consistency in working out, I can keep it running well. My husband loves to work out at Planet Fitness on his lunch break. They have so many convenient locations in our area, there is no excuse not to work out regularly!
Having a gym buddy is a great tip. I am more motivated to exercise if someone is with me.
I have noticed that, since I have hit 40, the aches and pains seem to come more frequently than usual, and they last longer. I think that working out is vitally important when you get older to keep those aches and pains to a minimum.
These are awesome tips! I’m almost 31 and honestly I found them helpful for me so don’t limit them to the mature woman…unless I am just wise beyond my years LOL
I love all these tips. I need to get back into gear and start working out more again. I think these tips will really help me too!
These are great tips! I just love Planet Fitness!
Good article – funny – as both my husband and I are over 40 and we both belong and train together at Planet Fitness!
We can certainly relate to your description of this aging situation 🙁 … when will they come up with a cure for aging? 🙂
I love that Planet Fitness is reasonably priced. I think it helps promote being active to all ages and sizes.
Yes, at our age, there’s no room to fool around with our health. It’s worth it to me to be healthy!
I hate being in the bracket as well. No thanks! However, I know what you mean about having to be consistent.
I have been wanting to do this for the longest time but I keep putting it off. Let me look at my options (regarding schedule) and tweak some tasks so I can make time to go to the gym. Thanks for the reminder that the right time to start is now.
My dad works out at Planet Fitness. He is almost 60 but he still think he has the body and stamina of a 25 year old but its because he is consistent!
Consistency is one of the ways to achieve success. I am guilty of not being consistent enough. It is not that I need to lose weight but I just have to keep active. I will check and see if going to Planet Fitness would help me with that.
Oh boy, I qualify for mature woman and could definitely use tips. Fitness gets different when you hit a certain age.
I LOVE Planet Fitness. I’ve been a member for years. I just wish I had more time to get there.
They just built a Planet Fitness near me and I’ve been meaning to check it out. What a great price and i love that its judgement free. I hate going to a gym where they pressure you into classes and what you’ve been eating lol. I need to check this out!
Very nice tips! It’s important to focus on the things that you can improve your movements. It’s been a while since I last went to the gym and I’ll make sure to take note of these.