I'm Going to Need a Fitness Instructor Over 50
For real
“You get some brains when you turn 40.”
My dad told me that once and I’ve never forgotten it. It’s true.
What you get is perspective. You finally understand that most sh!t doesn’t matter. Show up, work hard, be kind, do your best, and go home.
Get some sleep. Show up the next day. No biggie.
I’ve approached exercise with that kind of attitude too.
Working out has shown up in many ways throughout my life.
As a child, I took ballet classes. I loved dance and was dedicated to ballet until I hit age 16. I knew I’d never do it professionally - I didn’t have the body type, and I didn’t want it bad enough to starve myself.
Nutrition information in the ‘90s was scarce. We didn’t have access to the internet, and our dance teachers didn’t know what to tell us. The only thing widely available was Slim Fast - a diet milkshake. Girls would starve themselves and drink Slim Fast to retain a “dancer’s body.”
No thanks.
Even then, I could look ahead and see that a career as a dancer was short-lived, didn’t pay very well, and could be detrimental to your health.
Workout videos stacked up in my living room: Jane Fonda, Buns of Steel, and Tae Bo. You name it. Whatever workout craze was trending, I tried it. Society told us that the worst thing you could be as a woman was fat. I took note.
I enjoyed exercise; I feared getting fat more.
In college, step classes were popular, so I did those alongside my dance classes.
I’ve maintained some exercise routine for most of my adult life.
I’m Not Here to Look Good in a Bikini
About six years ago, I signed up for Class Pass. It’s a monthly membership that allows you to studio-hop. Hot yoga one day, pilates the next. It was perfect because I could work out close to work or near my home. Work was 25 miles away from where I lived, so Class Pass was the answer.
I loved it. I still do. I still use it.
Last week, I was in a Barre class. Barre classes are nothing like ballet. Zero. They both have a barre, that’s it. Barre classes usually combine some cardio with weight training. There are a lot of combo moves that require balance. Good stuff. I always feel great when I leave.
However, I left class 5 minutes early last week, something I never do.
Here’s why.
The teacher was young and beautiful. Her long ponytail swung behind her as she moved throughout the room in matching leggings and a crop top. Her direction was loud and clear, but I modified most of her workout.
Why?
Because I don’t need to work out that hard. I’m not here to look good in a bikini. That’s never going to happen. I’m here so that I can walk up stairs without getting winded. I’m here so that I can pick up my dog if I have to. I’m here so that I have the energy to clean my house.
That may be what younger instructors need help understanding.
I’ve lived enough to know how close old age is, and I want to continue feeling good as I get older. I want to remain as agile and as sharp as possible. I have no need to fit into a specific-size cocktail dress or impress my former classmates at a reunion.
Who cares? Not me.
Follow Your Bliss
The perspective you get when you hit your 40s is immense.
That’s why I need a fitness instructor over 50.
She’s led a big, interesting life and sees the bigger picture.
She’s had a career and maybe children. She doesn’t shy away from cleaning anything, including poop and vomit - that’s no big deal. She understands how to run a household, donate to charity, and has no problem kicking weirdos out of the building.
She’s cared for aging parents. She can drive a stick shift and use a paper map. She’s resourceful and scrappy.
She understands that beauty standards are a construct of the patriarchy, and she’s only here to make you stronger. You can use your strength however you choose - to pick up groceries bags or to hold your own at a protest.
She sees that a day at the beach may mean that you never even get into a swimsuit, and that’s fine in her eyes. Follow your bliss.
She’ll give you a kick-ass workout, but she’ll give you modifications along the way. She understands that your energy can vary widely from day to day. Sometimes you can grab heavier weights. On other days, you use no weights. Both workouts are beneficial.
This is a different outlook from younger instructors.
Someone who understands that sometimes stretching on your mat without anyone clamoring for your attention is the best hour you could ask for.
Instructors in their 20s are fantastic - so full of life and optimism, but the future is so far off for them. I know. When I was in my 20’s, my life was all about me. I had all the time in the world. And being a certain size mattered.
It doesn’t anymore. I’m not sure I need a five-pound weight behind my knee while I’m doing donkey kicks on all fours.
I attend challenging workouts because it helps my bone density and heart health. You know, super sexy stuff.
I feel more relaxed and optimistic when I exercise. I want a fifty-year-old instructor to tell me to drop the heavier weights when they no longer serve me.
Someone who understands that sometimes stretching on your mat without anyone clamoring for your attention is the best hour you could ask for.
Someone who understands that when when you honor where your energy is, you’ll get a great workout no matter what.
Honor Where You Are
Whatever you do this weekend - exercise or not - I hope it serves you well.
Listen to where your body and energy are. If you need a nap, go for it. If you’re down for a ten-mile hike - great. Both are fantastic options.
Listen to the wisdom of those older than you and treat yourself kindly.
Each day will be different so honor them as they come.
Pour your favorite drink, pet your pets, and put your feet up.
Until next time.
Peace,
Kit
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No Playlist This Week
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Kit Campoy spent 20 years leading retail teams and now writes about retail, Web3, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Join her community of 8k people and get her LinkedIn Pro Tips for free.
This is such a great topic and such a great perspective for this time of year when everyone gets exercise guilt! Thanks! Love the follow your body's energy reminder.
Fitness goal: avoid rotator cuff surgery as long as possible. Everything else is secondary.
Also: Please don't refer to rowing machines as "stuff for old people" (yes this happened). I find it really relaxing.