Age is Meaningless, Part 10

Jamie Moyer will confuse hitters with what SI describes as "his what-was-that? curveball, many of them off the plate but irresistible" this season.

He's 46.

It's Simpler Than You Think

Super-trainer Josh Hillis recently pointed out that it's actually simple to stay fit and healthy. And after reading his post, I had to agree. After all, why make it complicated when it doesn't have to be?

Great Moves as You Age

Mark Sisson over at Mark's Daily Apple had a nice post recently about good exercises to turn to as you age. Here's what I love about: Sure, something like walking is in there, which is what you think older folks might do, but power lifting is in there as well, which isn't what you'd think older folks might do. And I'm a big fan of power lifting because I've seen serious benefits from it.

Setting an Example

Dara Torres' performance at the U.S. Olympic trials continues to generate a lot of interest, and what she did certainly does show all of us what can be accomplished. Can we make the Olympics? Doubtful. But we sure can do more than we often think.

My close friend Katie Hobson explored the issue of training as you age in her excellent blog over at U.S. News recently.

Age is Meaningless, Part 8

This one speaks for itself: At 41, Dara Torres is going to the Olympics, again.

I've written in the past about her training, and the Times recently wrote again about it and her quest.

Age is Meaningless, Part 7

The examples just keep coming in of what we can do as we age. The latest: a 70 year old who plans to swim the English Channel. My friend Katie Hobson writes about him over at U.S. News.

Here's one great quote: "A lot of people my age are couch potatoes and don't believe they can get back to a youthful physical state. But the body doesn't really lose its ability in endurance sports as much as we allow it to lose its ability. I want to promote that people of my age can do better than what they're doing."

The Indiana Jones Workout

Not too long ago I wrote about the news that at 65 Harrison Ford still does many of his own stunts. Now we have an idea of how he does it.

Valerie Waters, who trains Jennifer Garner, among others, interviews Ford's trainer.

"He's a living testament to the fact that you can maintain a high level of athleticism if you continue to work at it," Jamie Milnes tells Waters.

There are plenty of good points in the piece that all of us can use in our workouts as we age -- give it a read.

90 and Going Strong

I met my best friend's grandfather this past weekend. He looked like he was in his 60s, maybe 70. He's 90. So I had to talk with him. Here's one key thing I found out -- he lifts three times a week. "Monday, Wednesday, Friday," he put it, as if nothing ever stopped him from working out those days.

God Bless the Basics

Every time I see someone doing some newfangled exercise at the gym -- and often doing it incorrectly -- I just shake my head and go back to my workout, which I know is better because it's full of the basics.

One of the best is the push-up. The New York Times recently wrote that it is a great indicator of your fitness. It added that the strength you develop from the exercise also helps as you age because it'll save you in a fall.

So stick to the basics and you'll develop ageless strength.

Age is Meaningless, Part 6

An 82-year-old woman who does 45 bodyweight squats? Yep. A 70-year-old man who plays competitive baseball and throws a 70-miles-per-hour fastball? Yep.

Super-trainer Keith Scott has trained both, and he has some great tips in this post about how to make sure you train at 40 and beyond.

One of his best tips is the value of recovery, something I still have to remind myself about.

Age is Meaningless, Part 5

The reasons to take up -- or continue -- training as you age are growing.

The New York Times recently had a article headlined Staying a Step Ahead of Aging that talks about what you can expect if you stick with a solid program. The article's two key points are that you can keep the deterioration of aging largely at bay by exercising and that you can even start working out later in life and still see great results.

A Different Outlook

Some guys in my office today heard that Harrison Ford did many of his own stunts for the upcoming Indiana Jones movie. Their reaction? They simply didn't believe it. My reaction? I thought it was completely possible and even inspiring.

Here's why I think the reactions were so different. The guys who were talking about it are in lousy shape. They eat junk and look like they never exercise. So to them, it does seem impossible for a 65 year old to do his own stunts.

I, meanwhile, know that I'll be active at 65, so sure, I'd be able to do stunts at that age.

I see what's possible because I challenge myself. They don't.

Age is Meaningless, Part 4

Olympic swimmer Dara Torres is setting records at age 40. Today's New York Times has a nice piece on how she's doing it. One key: She's spending less time in the water now than she did years ago to allow her body to rest more.

Age is Meaningless, Part 3

Green Bay's Brett Favre completed 13 of 14 passes in the second half of last night's game against Denver, including an 82-yard touchdown pass to win the game in overtime. He's 38.

Older and Wiser

As we age, we learn to get more from our training and to get the most from our bodies during competitions, a story in today's L.A. Times says.

It makes complete sense to me. I'm getting smarter about how I train, for instance. Until recently I trained six days a week, lifting three days and doing cardio three days. But that practice left my legs always tired because they often worked all six days.

Now I lift and get my cardio in on the same days, giving myself the next day off. The result? My legs feel refreshed when I hit it again.

Age is Meaningless, Part 2

At 43, Vinny Testaverde started, and won, an NFL game yesterday at quarterback.

"Physically, after watching him for a few days, there's no question in my mind he can handle it," his coach, John Fox, said according to Sports Illustrated's Peter King.

'The Body of a 30-Year-Old'

Sports Illustrated has a nice piece about the NHL's oldest player, Chris Chelios of the Detroit Red Wings. He's 45 but his trainer says he has the body of a 30-year-old. Here's a look at his workout.

Better at 40

Trainer Josh Hills shows what you can accomplish when you're 40. And Turbulence Training creator Craig Ballantyne has an interview with Fit Over 40 co-author Jon Benson.

You're Just Like a Lawnmower

It's getting easier and easier to find fitness role models for those of us over 40 who are trying to stay fit. Today's L.A. Times has a great story about people in their 50s, 60s and beyond who continue to work out.

Bill Bell, who still does triathlons in his 80s, tells the Times, "My advice to anyone is simple. Keep moving. I call it the 'lawnmower theory.' If you leave a lawnmower out on the grass and it rains, you better get out and push that thing before it gets rusty. I'm creaky and rusty every day when I get up in the morning, but after I get moving, I feel pretty damn good."

"Age is Just a Number"

That's what trainer Keith Scott writes over and over in his post about a 67 year old who was looking for performance training.