Fitness: Beyond the Stereotypes: Training Older Adults as a 60-Year-Old

Connect & Grow Magazine: Issue 14 October - November 2024

The image of a personal trainer, especially when you ‘check out’ social media, often conjures up several doctored images, perpetuated by the trainers themselves, that you have to look a certain way, which may be a 20-something, with nary a blemish or a wrinkle in sight.

These individuals will have the washboard stomachs and ripped physiques of someone who has the time, the youth and the inclination to spend 2-3 hours in the gym on themselves to get into an almost unattainable shape. ...the general public sees these curated images through their online programs in the fantasy that you, too, can get the body/booty of your dreams, with that shape, wrinkle-free, etc.

The reality, however, is somewhat different, and I’m here to disrupt this model. You see, I do not fit into that mould! I turned 60 this year, and I am female. I have been in this industry for over 30 years and have seen many trainers come and go in that time, change shape, change careers, change the classes they teach. In a brief synopsis, there tend to be a few sorts: Those who try desperately to hold on to their youth, pushing their bodies and their faces to the extremes; those who

leave the industry once the penny drops that it takes guts and determination to make a living out of this industry and..... then there are those like myself, who desperately resist the stereotype, preferring to let my clients know that it is preferable to be themselves, let’s make it the healthiest version of them around!

The world of fitness is thankfully continually evolving, and with it, clients like me in the 60-plus bracket who want to feel fit and healthy—and, dare I say it, would prefer to have a model like themselves. As I like to say, I’m your realistic personal trainer. It’s pretty easy to be like me!

Of course, this immediately makes them feel at ease and more likely to stay; ‘get with the program’ because that’s what they want—to be themselves, just a younger, fitter, stronger, healthier version!

I have dedicated my career to improving people’s perception of themselves and teaching them that it is very attainable; all it takes is a commitment to a suitable program, healthy eating 80 per cent of the time and the right mindset. Not every older adult wants to be trained by 20 something year old they

want to be taught by someone who understands their bodies don’t always do what they want them to do, that they do require a longer than normal warm up and cool down, more stretches, a gentle introduction, less high impact exercises, and more specificity when training. They need someone who is not going to ‘baby’ them either; they need someone who believes in them and knows what is possible with tweaking, dedication, and progressions. The needs when you’re older are different. This is the age when people want to protect themselves from getting injured; they want to know the best way to stay pain-free, how to protect those joints from aching or creaking too much, and how to balance. Get up from a chair? Control the stiffness?

They still want to feel ‘young’ too, and that’s why older trainers are gaining in popularity. We truly do get it. Heck, we are you!

Training older adults demands a shift in perspective to consider the above. This group (and I include myself in this) wants to reclaim our physical prowess and improve our mobility. Younger trainers need to realise beyond the misconception that age equals frailty!

The baby boomers want to maintain or improve their mobility and balance and, most importantly, keep their cognitive facilities firing on all fours!

My focus is always on individualised programs considering an individual's health history, existing conditions, and personal goals. It is always about being a better listener than a talker, collaborating with my clients, and offering a safe, nurturing, and encouraging environment to train in. It is a journey of empowerment, joy, and possibility!

Nothing is more upsetting for me than to have a client who has been crushed by a previous trainer or experience in a gym, whereby they are made to feel they are ‘past their prime’. I want to turn that narrative around, shut it down completely, and instil in them that they’ve ‘still got it’, know what to do, and have just had a bad experience!

We celebrate every victory, small or large, emphasising progress over perfection. And it doesn’t matter what it is: improving balance, building strength, belief in themselves, flexibility, or resilience, a win is a win. We always acknowledge it in the groups I work with. Each step is a triumph! Let's face it: from when we were tiny, what encouraged us to keep going? It is always praise and belief that the other person has in us!

Positive reinforcement at any age helps us grow in every way, leading to continued motivation.

Beyond the Gym

And let’s think a bit further than someone older embarking on an exercise program. There is the added benefit of socialising with likeminded individuals, organising together outside the gym environment, boosting and fostering new relationships, improving mental health through this and the exercise, reducing stress, increasing confidence, improving mood and cognitive function, the list goes on...(and yes, I’m sure you could add other superlatives to this list!).

I know that in one of the classes I teach, where most participants are over 70, nearly always have a coffee at the nearby cafe after the class! This is important, whether organising for the participants to have tea, coffee, and a healthy snack after the class on your premises or organising it themselves; it is crucial in fostering those relationships and encouraging health in other ways.:

A Role Model, Not Just a Trainer

As a 60-year-old trainer, I bring a unique perspective to the table. I can relate to the challenges and triumphs of aging, serving as a tangible example of the possibilities that exercise can unlock. It’s about proving that age is just a number and that strength and vitality can be cultivated at any stage of life.

The Future of Fitness

I hope the future of fitness is more inclusive and diverse than it has been. I hope more trainers understand the complexities of aging and can tailor programs that will meet the unique needs of this ever-growing population. Fitness is about breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and celebrating the incredible potential within each individual, regardless of age.

As a seasoned trainer in both ways, i.e. age and experience, I’m passionate about championing the health and well-being of older adults. It’s the space I have worked in since I was in my 30s, and now I am an older adult myself; I am more passionate about this than ever, to champion the health and well-being of this particular group. It is anyone from the 40s and beyond, and it’s not just about lifting weights; it's about fostering independence, lifting mood/spirits, and empowering individuals to embrace a vibrant, fulfilling life.

The best future for fitness, and certainly the one I envisage (and we are not there yet, but fingers crossed!), is that everyone, regardless of age, can find strength, joy, and fulfilment in movement, whether this is in a physical gym or in a virtual class, personal training session, or interaction with a trainer online.

Written by

Vivienne Derwent

V’Nutri

B. HSC, ANTA

Founder

Personal Trainer & Clinical Nutritionist

Email: viv@vnutri.com.au