5 Terrible Pieces of Advice for Ages 50+ (AVOID)

I am a 70 woman. I have been strength training since my twenties, off and on, but I got more serious in my sixties and I go to the gym regularly now at 70. Will, you are so correct about every thing you have said. I see so many of my friends settling in at this age and not doing anything. It’s like they give up! It’s the worst thing you can do!! I also do a rebounder workout for 20 to 30 minutes and day besides walking my dog. My husband who is 75 has gotten on board with the weight training and he is hooked now. Even though he walks everyday the gym membership has helped him to gain strength that he can feel walking up those hills, he is amazed at how better he is at everything he does. No weaklings in this house!! I know if we keep to this regime we can go into our 80’s with strength and good health!!! You are never too old to start, just start slow and I feel Will’s advice is spot on!!!!

Your independence is part of your whole health profile. Your health is your wealth. Thanks Will!

A gym membership is expensive, BUT it's more expensive to have to purchase a wheelchair, front-wheeled walker, orthotics, etc., pay for high-priced gasoline to drive to the doctor's office, pay for what the medical insurance doesn't cover, and pay for prescriptions...the costs of medications in the U.S. are extremely exorbitant and the medications produce numerous side effects. Nursing homes are also extremely expensive if you want to be cared for properly, otherwise, a lot of nursing homes in the U.S. take your money, ignore you, leave you in bed to develop bed sores and take forever to change your diaper.

As soon as I retired, doctors, my friends and everyone I came in contact with mentioned my age. I'm writing from Paris suburb. Everyone encourages me to stay home, stop moving. Thank you for urging us to take care of ourselves, for not giving up!

Hi Will, 60 year old lady from America here. Just wanted to let you know, I think you're great. I love your common sense advise. I get a lot out of your videos, and I enjoy receiving your 3 tip Friday emails. You seem very aware of what it's like for over 50s, even though you're younger. How did you gain this perspective? Keep up the great work!

I'm 50 and next week going on a solo backpacking trip through the BC wilderness across mountain ranges and glaciers. I feel as good as when i was 20.

I'm one to not comment, but I want you to know that I appreciate and watch you. Thank-you for all that you put out for us.

I started weight lifting when I was diagnosed with high osteopenia. One of my medications has osteoporosis as a side effect. My doctor recommended osteoporosis medication but I wanted to see what I could do naturally. So I started lifting challenging weights. Fast forward one year and when tested again, my doc thought he had the results back to front. After about now 5 years, one reading is now normal and the other is slight osteopenia. I am 56 years old. I am not on any osteoporosis medication.

Am 84 and go the gym 4x week for 75 mins. per....have had knees and hips replaced...NO DOCTOR RECOMMENDED PT or EXERCISE. Good read beside Will's book is EXERCSE IS MEDICINE by Judy Foreman. (Tuscon AZ)

Thank you, Will. Great advice. When I fell — hard!— on right knee in 2000, I could barely hobble around my house using furniture, walls, etc. When I finally was able to get appt with orthopedic surgeon for assessment, he said I needed knee replacement but he wouldn’t do it due to my age; I was 78. When asked what my options were he said — and this is direct quote!— “learn to live with it”. I never knew a doctor could be so mean and cruel. Enter Will Harlow: thanks to you. I am more mobile now, I can even walk without my cane. Sometimes, I never use my walker anymore, except to get in and out of the shower. I still have a lot of pain, but with the leg strengthening exercises, you’ve suggested I expect that to Start decreasing. Thank you so very much for helping me to help myself to improve the quality of my life.

You are so right about the gym!! I went for several years, and then a neck problem caused me to stop. I notice my balance is off, carrying groceries in is harder and just the way I feel has gone down. As far as worrying about others in the gym, first they're there for themselves, they don't care what you're doing. Many are very nice and last, who cares anyway! You're there to get and feel better! Time is short, don't worry what others are thinking! Go! You'll feel better!!

Most Family Doctors have spent very little time studying nutrition and exercise so they would be the last person I'd ask for advice in this area.

The one exception was when my wife developed MS 26 years ago. She was unable to ambulate for the last 15 years. I still have a room full of equipment we used...hoist, wheelchair, powerdrive etc. We even built a specially designed disabled home for her. I live here alone now. BUT.....I am 77 and walk about 12,000 steps a day and I am determined to stay healthy and fit for as long as I can. I live in Australia.

The problem with gyms is this: We older people know our bodies--as they were--and how they are. If you tell a trainer to "take it slow" they don't really understand that you REALLY HAVE TO START STUPID SLOW! They end up injuring you and--worse than that--it is not a good experience or certainly not enjoyable. I was an athlete, now old. I always enjoyed working out. Trainers have to learn patience!!!! It's ok. We don't have to lift a lot!!

I am 61 years old and started weight training last year. I am going slowly because I have osteoporosis. I feel a big difference in my overall health and strength. I was motivated to workout after visiting my parents in a seniors residence. Most people could not walk or get out of a chair. That is not the future I want if I can help it.

My daughter and I go to Planet Fitness, a gym that may not be in your area. I love the support I get there and it's promise to be a judgement free zone. The staff and members are supportive and willing to show you how to use the various machines. So far, in the past four months I've picked up speed on the treadmill and can almost do three miles in an hour. I'm 68 and getting back in shape and trying to lose some of the weight I've gained from eating processed foods and being sedentary for the past ten years. I feel great.

Muscle is the organ of longevity, 57 , can dead hang for two minutes, have more muscle mass than guys in their 20’s ( drug users excluded) . I train 5 days a week, 45 minutes a session, I stick to to the 15 -30 rep range so I’m not lifting heavy but instigate hypertrophy. I eat a ton of meat ( no shakes) and then everything else only after I reach 1g per pound of body weight. Each year my blood results are all in the healthy range, despite by dinosaur of a doctor telling me I’m wrong ( he is frail) about my diet. Number one rule , DONT get injured! Leave ego at the door and come back fighting the next day…. Make yourself hard to kill.

With osteoarthritis, it's important to find your Goldilocks zone between moving too little and moving too much.

I go to a ladies only gym. With no mirrors. It's not always easy to go, but I always appreciate going 😊

I love your passion and certainty. This video is precious! Thank you Will.