Should Women Over 40 Stop Doing Cardio? (I’m Keeping My Peloton)
That’s me three years ago, the week I turned 50. My husband bought me a Peloton for my birthday. I’d wanted one for a really long time.
I turned 53 in October, and I still love that bike!
So when a woman asks me, “Do I have to give up my cardio?” my answer is NO.
Why I love my bike
Our downstairs is a movie theater, complete with colored lights. I can see my Peloton instructor on the big screen, and it’s like having my own mini cycling studio.
A few days a week, I roll out of bed, put on some leggings, and go downstairs for a low-impact bike ride before breakfast.
I love riding first thing in the morning. I feel like I’ve already done something great for my body, and it lets me start the day with a clear head.
What cardio won’t do
Now, I have to be straight with you.
My goal has always been body composition. More muscle, less body fat. And cardio is not the tool that gets you lean muscle.
Most of us were taught the opposite. Think about the ’80s aerobics classes, Jane Fonda, and leg warmers. (Wow, I wish these would come back in style.)
By our 40s and 50s, we’ve already had years of losing muscle. And muscle is what keeps your metabolism healthy.
So if you want a lean, firm body with muscles you can see and less body fat, strength training is the number one way you’re going to get there. Too much cardio, or only cardio alone, won’t do it.
That’s why my bike is part of my routine. It’s just not my whole routine.
3 things your movement plan needs after 40
1. It has to match your goal. A plan that doesn’t get you to your goal leads to wasted time and frustration. If you don’t have a goal, set one today.
2. You have to like it. Or it’s never going to turn into a habit. You’re never going to keep investing time and effort in something you don’t like. And why should you?
3. It needs variety.
- Strength training, to build and keep your muscle.
- Flexibility, for your joints and your recovery.
- Balance, because we lose it as we age.
- And yes, cardio, for your heart, your endurance, and your mental health.
So keep the things you love. Some women love to run. Some love to walk. Some love their Peloton. Great!
But please stop and think. What’s your goal? And does your plan have what it takes to get you there?
“But I’ve never lifted weights”
Yes, you have. Let me tell you, lady, you’ve been lifting your whole life.
You’ve carried kids. You’ve carried groceries. You’ve carried luggage. If you garden, you’ve hauled bags of mulch.
You’ve always lifted. Now you’re just lifting with intent.
Be a little brave and pick up some weights. You can do it.
Strength is one of the three pillars of how I work. And strength in midlife is going to lead you to the body, the health, and the life that you want. Read more about Build.
Doing the work and the scale still won’t move?
Sometimes the plan is right and something else is getting in the way. Find out what that is.
My quiz, What’s Driving Your Midlife Weight Gain?, has seven simple questions you can answer in under 60 seconds, and it will point you in the right direction.
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The information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with your physician or another qualified healthcare provider about any medical condition, and before starting a new health regimen. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.