The Biggest LIE Told to Ages 50+

In this episode, Farnham's leading over-50's physiotherapist, Will Harlow, reveals the biggest lie told to ages 50+.

[EdelweisSusie]

I can’t tell you how it makes my heart sing to see a young man like you bothering to specialise in helping people over 50. All my over-50 friends who have contributed to society for 30, 40 or 50 years tell me they now either feel invisible in society or an inconvenience when it comes to dealing with professionals and I point them all in your direction. Will also be buying your book. Kudos to you.

[jeanclarke]

I am in my 70s and I have been exercising five times a week since my first son was born all those decades ago. My exercise routine is a mixture of strength training with weights, pilates, walking and dancing and I have maintained most of my muscle mass throughout the years. I have strong quads and glutes muscles and pilates keeps my core strong. I recently lost 1 1/2 stones after intermittent fasting and lost some of my glutes muscles which in turn resulted in knee pain in one knee for the first time in my life. This resulted in curtailing my walking activities for a while. Once I understood the link between knee pain and loss of glute muscles, I was determined to restore my glute muscles with mainly strength/weights exercises, and still gaining muscles, and guess what I have regained most of my glute muscles and still gaining muscles and have been walking again lately for up to 50 minutes at a time without pain. I have never bought into the notion that aging has to be synonymous with weakness and this knowledge fuelled my resolve to prevent this for as long as I can, as I learnt from my research a long time ago that loss of muscle tone contributes to weakness in older life. I have never danced to anybody else's tunes about what you can and cannot do as you get older. Don't get me wrong I adopt a sensible approach to my body by listening to when my body says no, and pick up again when it says yes. I could go on. I have subscribed to your channel and frequently watched your videos and follow the exercise. Most recently, I have been watching your exercise videos for people who have osteoporosis as I have decided to increase my bone density throug weight bearing exercises as well as other activites and lifestyle changes/adaptations. I am usually a private person, but I felt compelled to share my experiences in the hope that these might inspire someone else,

[lukewalker]

I am 70 years old and physical fitness addict...cycling, swimming and light weight training and never heard the muscle/neural pathway/actual strength connection defined so clearly.
Thank you.

[alibenkahn]

One of the worst things I hear being said to older people is 'it's time to slow down and take it easy'. This is really BAD advice! It's so important to stay fit and active as we age. Of course you need to be sensible so as to avoid injury but other than that keep moving. I'm 68 (female) and have been doing weight training for many years. I've noticed I can't bulk up like I used to but I remain very strong. I see so many older women who are so debilitated by their lack of muscle tone and general weakness. So don't listen to anyone who tells you 'to slow down'. Be strong!

[stevec]

I'm 72, four years ago I lost 18 kilos (all I needed to lose), but unfortunately that included muscle mass. A year ago I went carnivore where I deliberately increased my protein intake. Six months ago I started resistant training in earnest, mostly push-ups. When I started, I could only do 5 push-ups at a time but now I can do 70 and I can see the difference in my arms and chest.
I don't weigh myself frequently, but did a few weeks ago and was surprised to find that I had gained 4.5 kilos. Surprised because my belt hole had not changed and the reason for that was because I had regained muscle mass. So I know it is possible for a senior to gain muscle mass because I've done it and I can also tell that I am stronger as well and currently weigh what I did over 50 years ago, 77 kilos plus or minus a few (I don't obsess about that).

[gidget]

About a month ago I made a comment on the video titled Fix These Joints For Better Walking, in which I stated my surprise I had little to no dorsiflextion and was waiting to see my regular physician. I did that Friday. My dorsiflextion had improved because I had worked everyday on my ankles from the day I made that comment. Thank-you Will, for the help you give so many of us a we age. I have a long history of problematic inflammation, lost the use of my right arm back for about a week in the 90s, about 6 years ago I had so much in my right knee, it dislocated my kneecap! Anyway my doctor said it looks like I have developed foot drop/peroneal neuropathy in my right foot. I'm having more testing to make sure that its not something else. He said to keep exercising that foot and ankle. I've only recently found your channel, so I'm combing through those earlier videos looking for more exercises. I wish I lived "across the pond" (as they say) so I could make regular appointments. For anyone reading this comment, listen to Will, he can help! 👵😁

[miguela.]

Can't possibly tell you how grateful I am to you not only for this video and words, but also for all your videos and channel. I've learned so much from you! I'm in my late 50's and keep active as much as I can, because I know it's crucial for my body and mind. Your advice on what we should and shouldn't do has helped me more than I can tell. Thank you so much, Will!

[MrDubyadee]

I'm 71 and yes you can increase muscle mass after 50. I work out with weights 3 times a week and I've been doing that for 55 years. As for strength - the limitation on strength or rather how much weight I can lift or curl is primarily my joints, not my muscle. I cannot curl the same amount as I used to because my elbows hurt. I try to make up for that be increasing reps, slowing down each rep and combining multiple motions, e.g. curling a dumbell and then continuing to press it over my head in one slow motion.

[christineyunkcribb]

Thank you kind sir. Mid 70’s here, striving to stay alive physically and be a helpful person. Several of your videos have been very positive and helpful for me, and most likely many many others. 💝

[janetmackinnon]

You always explain so clearly. Thank tou. You've given an old lady hope!

[betho.]

This advice is phenomenal to me. My own physician told me (age 66) that building strength - or muscle for that matter - will never happen. It was depressing to be honest. Thanks to you, Will, nothing is going to hold me back from getting back to better strength! Thank you! Going to purchase your book right now!

[munichmunich]

I'm disabled I was told don't do a work out I'm still doing it

[localbod]

Thank you for this positive message.
From a 57 year old.
👍😎

[LouiseGraham-wxtg]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE 😊🙏

[jogriffiths]

This is so encouraging! And also as a side note, explains how a champion wood cutter who looked like a bean pole could beat all the others with bulging muscles.

[peggyp]

Keep doing what you are doing! Such clear, informative, motivational videos for us older people! Thank you!

[PeggiMendricks]

Wow…I am so encouraged‼️ I didn’t know that muscle mass and strength were not one and the same. I was body-building in the 70s and 80s and then life happened and I abandoned that. I’ve maintained a lot of strength for my age and female gender comparatively but I haven’t optimized it. Now I know I still can. Thank you will‼️

[vincentparlante]

Greetings Will. I'm a new guy to your channel here. Im a 66 year old guy . Who recently got back in the gym . I have a few obstacles like OSA and some shoulder pains in the shoulders but I work through them . I've watched many videos on shoulder fixing type rehab exercises with resistance bands and very light dumbbells and such . I recently saw your video with that small band shoulder exercise? And started to add that into my daily routines. So in about a month? I will let you ya know the progress of that in addition to my weight training at the gym. This video was particularly a good one for me as I would like to get some but not overwhelming muscle mass or size but in addition to the muscle building I want overall good strength and balance . Both I feel are super important. I don't want to falling in 5 or 10 years from now . I'd rather have some muscle and good cardio along with strength and balance . Anyway thanks for your great videos . I will continue to watch your videos and gain more brain muscle to work with the physical muscle.

[eveywrens]

This video is so timely and appreciated. I'm 64 years old. I was ill and inactive for most of 2023. Then, I returned to my desk job in December. Short walks were my only exercise. I finally retired at the end of May 2024 and was shocked at how much muscle mass I had lost. I didn't think I would recover my former strength.

I went to see my primary care doctor and asked for a referral. I'm seeing a physical therapist (USA) today to address weakness. I am so relieved that I can talk to him about working to regain strength.

Thank you for giving me hope and motivation.

[robertadubois-zhqn]

I have so enjoyed your videos, at 92 I needed to hear this