I have always enjoyed physical activity. I played sports throughout my younger years, took a few dance lessons here and there, and taught fitness classes when I was in my 20s. As a twenty-something, I could pause my activities for a few weeks and simply pick up where I left off in my next workout. I remember vague muscle soreness, but it was always “the good kind of sore.”
Throughout the baby years of my 30s, I fell off the proverbial fitness wagon. I couldn’t find joy in exercise like I used to, and my body was just not responding to any activity I was throwing at it. Pushing into my 40s, I tried everything. I started running, completed a half marathon and never found that runner’s high. I tried Crossfit and hated every WOD (workout of the day). I tried yoga and just couldn’t find my Zen. I finally found an answer to my fitness woes when my husband and I, along with our two young boys, signed up to take tennis lessons. Finally, that love for fitness was reignited! I started to feel strong again and also started a regular Pilates practice. Sounds great, right?
Well, there’s a bit of a catch. In order to sustain results in your 40s, consistency is a must. Finding something that gets you excited to move is key. I found a few things that made me want to be active, and that made my workouts hard to miss. And as I became stronger, I found confidence to try new things. Hip hop dancing at 45? You bet! Aerial yoga? Yep. Be brave. Try something new. Who knows what kind of fitness is right for you? The point is, no matter what your age, you have to find something you enjoy. And realize that fitness comes in all different shapes and sizes.
I’m listing a few of my favorites here, and I’d love to hear about your favorite places to sweat!
Dance- adult drop-ins including Hip Hop, Music Video moves, and any other form you like, beginners welcome
Consuming Kinetics Dancing Center (CKDC)
460 Whittier Street, St. Louis, MO 63108
Pilates- equipment (if you haven’t tried this, you owe it to yourself!)
4168 Juniata St., St. Louis, MO 63116
Rebounding, suspension training, surf, cycle
633 W. Highway 50, O’Fallon, IL 62269
Spin- theater type
Multiple locations in the area
Strength training- Megaformer training
1560 S Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131
Interval Training- Instructor led
8384 Musick Memorial Dr., St. Louis, MO 63144
734 N New Ballas Dr., Creve Coeur, MO 63141
