No one ages out of needing to work out. In fact, we should all be training for our later years now.

In a society that stigmatizes aging, the part of our population that enjoys the privilege of reaching what we would consider “older” is underserved; which is why I became a certified senior fitness coach through ACE (American Council on Exercise). When I’ve started with new clients from that demographic, I find a certain resistance based on a perception of what “working out” means.

For me, fitness is a mind-body connection as individual as each person. I approach all my clients with empathy and meet them wherever they are—at whatever stage of life, at whatever level of fitness, at whatever level of fear and apprehension.

It starts with breathing. A simple way to reconnect with the body. Then gentle functional movement. A chair, some resistance bands, maybe even some cans of soup from the cupboard for light weights. 30 minutes to an hour a couple of times a week will do amazing things. It can change your entire outlook.

If you have been thinking about starting up with a fitness program but are afraid of all the trainers you’ve seen at gyms, or if you have a parent or loved one of a certain age who would benefit from a kind, compassionate approach to reconnecting with their body, reach out! It’s one of my favorite kinds of fitness coaching.