Is Running Safe Over The Age Of 50?

[@ProCoach2373]

I love to run, but I agree with you. It does atrophy our muscles. Walking just doesn't get me in the cardio zone I desire. I have a really nice street bike that I never ride too. LOL Maybe I should break it back out. :)

[@MichaelPhelpsCoaching]

Thank you for your comment. The context of my platform is being fit and having a good physique later in life. So the emphasis is MUSCLE and preserving it. So any message I present has muscle building or preserving as its context. People will say, "he says running is bad for you...he doesn't know what he is talking about". I get that all the time. But in the context of building or maintaining muscle as we age, long distance running is not our friend. There is always that one exception out there...but have you ever seen a long distance runner who has been running long distance for more than 5 years who has decent amounts of muscle? Not running...but long distance running. Anyway, sorry for the long reply. I do appreciate your comment!!!!!

[@48webber]

Im African and over 50. Ive run over a 100 marathons up to 90km races for last 30years and i know people in their 80s that have run like that too and MORE. All you have to do is up your protein intake and do strength training and ul be fine. personally, i wont take his advice.

[@MichaelPhelpsCoaching]

Could be different when you get even older. Wear & tear is occurring (especially in hips and knees...when running on concrete and asphalt) even though you may not feel it yet. There is always an exception to most rules...but for the overwhelming vast majority of people, your situation is rare. Also, I did not mention it, but body weight impacts the damage also if you are a long distance runner. What do you weigh and do you do any resistance training whatsoever?

[@patrickshepherd4664]

Dude i know ppl in there 60s who can run as well as teenagers, ive been running since high school i have muscle no loose skin sorry your wrong

[@FlatTruther]

How many miles do you run and how often? He's not wrong about the abuse your hips and knees take from cement or concert.

[@OuttaPocketCentral]

@@FlatTrutherI’m still in my 20s so can’t speak for older gents but calisthenics and stretches will keep the joints healthy and improve mobility.

[@MichaelPhelpsCoaching]

Context. In my opinion LONG DISTANCE RUNNING is worse for folks as they get older. No one is saying people are going to fall over because they run. But what I am saying is true for the overwhelming majority....long distance running over time typically causes problems in the hips and knees...long distance running as the only form of exercise (no resistance training) causes loose skin due to loss of muscle. Sarcopenia is real as we age...and if you are doing long distance running and also abandoning resistance training...you WILL have loose skin. Loss of muscle is the primary reason for loose skin. For every person like you, I can show you 10 that resemble my points. And finally, due to the loss of muscle (sarcopenia) as we age being a problem anyway much later in life, compounding it by doing long distance running is not smart in my opinion. I am not against running totally....I am personally not a fan of long distance running as we get older. There are always exceptions for any situations. Doesn't mean the rule is still wrong.

[@MichaelPhelpsCoaching]

I don't disagree with you...I've have been a gym rat for over 40 years consecutively and been in my 20s too. I trained a ton of folks when I was in my 20s as well. I had no understanding of the difference between being in my 20s and being in my 50s ... until I actually got in my 20s. I have ALWAYS stretched. Aging affects the joints tremendously. I used to not understand why the older people I trained when I was younger could not or would not do the things I told them to do...because I knew it would help. Now that I am in my 50s.... I totally understand the difference!