Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 3 tips for staying active as you age: ‘Don’t think, just get going’
Resuming an exercise regimen after weeks, months, or even years of inactivity can be physically and mentally daunting, particularly following illness or injury. The prospect of getting moving may seem even more intimidating as you age, but Arnold Schwarzenegger wants you to give it a go.
The seven-time Mr. Olympia champion, the 38th governor of California, the Terminator himself is on a crusade to help people—particularly those 65 and older like him—lead physically active lifestyles. Schwarzenegger is doing so formally as the inaugural chief movement officer of Fortune 500 medical technology company Zimmer Biomet.
This is like a marriage made in heaven,” Schwarzenegger, 77, tells Fortune of the partnership that launched Nov. 13. “I’ve dealt my whole life with fitness and with making people exercise and feel good, physically and psychologically, and feel healthy and strong and energetic.”
Exercise isn’t supposed to be a luxury for older adults; it’s recommended by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The agency’s Physical Activity Guidelines for Americansrecommends adults 65 and older complete these activities weekly:
- Balance training
- 2 days of muscle-strengthening activities
- 150–300 minutes of moderately intense aerobic activity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous aerobicEspecially if you have an injury or medical condition that impacts your mobility, be sure to first discuss your exercise goals and options with your health care provider. Once you’ve gotten the OK to amp up your physical activity, consider the following three fitness tips Schwarzenegger shares with Fortune.
1. Get your exercise in early
Any time of day you can get your exercise in is the best time, but the “Governator” recommends knocking it out in the morning. (In fact, the day he spoke with Fortune he mentioned he’d already hit the gym bright and early.)
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