Did you know that “longevity” is trending?

Yes, books, blogs, shows, and podcasts – everybody’s writing and talking about how people are living longer now and will continue to live even longer soon. So, how can you extend your life with the healthiest practices to ensure autonomy and quality of life?

Well, forget those darn trends (infrared pajamas, anybody?) and focus instead on the proven basics.
“People are looking for the magic pill,” said Dr. Luigi Ferrucci of the National Institute on Aging in the New York Times, “and the magic pill is already here.”

It is! And the number one ingredient is exercise, or even just movement. By staying active – and maintaining strength, endurance, and agility – you’re far, far, FAR less likely to die an early death. Or suffer the indignities of a long, painful one.

Period.

Hard stop.

That means: If you’re already working out with us, keep it up! And if you’re not, then please, please, please start today. We make it easy, safe, and fun, so come see us to get started.
The rest of the proven wonders of healthy aging are similarly predictable – and just as easy to follow.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Prioritize sleep
• Don’t smoke or drink much
• Manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol
• Put time into your relationships

Knowing that the “magic pill” is already here should give us all a positive outlook! Let’s do this.

If you’re over 50 and feeling behind in your life rather than ahead, our team of functional aging specialists is here to help you reclaim your life! 

We help men and women over 50 feel better, look better, and age actively- because our life isn’t over as we age; in many ways, it’s just beginning!

Interested in changing your life for the better? Join our 21-Day Strength and Balance program to rediscover everything you’re still capable of!

Learn more here: 21-Day Longevity and Strength Program.

If you have any questions, call us at (361-857-5087), and we’ll discuss how we can help you!

Do you enjoy travel?

Maybe you’ve been looking forward to this time of life to see more of the world?

An educational travel organization for mature adults is gearing up for a big summer. Whether you connect with Road Scholar or go on your own or with others, the 50-year-old group is promoting a multitude of great travel ideas for active individuals with a spirit of adventure.

We love the wording and tone of its new Age Adventurously Report, which focuses on topics like stretching your travel muscles, regaining confidence, and how to make aging your most excellent adventure.

“It’s waking up every day believing that there are still new things to discover and experience,” Ruth Riggs, 70, told the group for its report. “And it means… not putting anything off that you want to do.”

The group surveyed people aged 50 to 98. Two-thirds were Baby Boomers, and about three-quarters were women. The non-scientific survey found that 94% of over-50 respondents said that being curious and optimistic about life contributes to health, happiness, and well-being.

“Those who travel more are happier and healthier,” the report says. It helps them stay mentally and socially engaged, as well as physically active.

Today, people over 50 are more adventurous than ever before – including Gen X-ers over 50, Baby Boomers, and some in the Silent Generation that came before.

They still want to try new things and see new parts of the world.

The survey found that women in the Baby Boomer generation have more independence than previous generations. They have more time to travel, and they’re still healthy enough to do it.

As great as travel is, we love that Road Scholar ranks this as the No. 1 most popular aspect of aging adventurously:

Staying physically active and healthy — with 82% of respondents putting it at the top, ahead of traveling to new places and continuing to learn and grow.

Respondents also said they’re finding adventure by learning to garden, playing pickleball, traveling without a spouse, getting a tattoo, and starting a business. They’re learning to ballroom dance, ride motorcycles, SCUBA diving … all sorts of fun, new activities that require physical fitness and a glimmer of fun.

The group is promoting Age Adventurously Day on June 8 and encouraging everyone to plan to do something outside their comfort zone for fun.

It fits beautifully with our philosophy that fit people over 50 maintain their independence and quality of life, with options to take on anything they choose. 

As Kim Francis, 67, told Road Scholar, “I don’t have to run a marathon, but I want to run around the yard with my grandkids. I don’t need to stand on my head, but I want to stand in line at Disneyland. I won’t climb Mount Everest, but I want to climb the stairs.”

We are here for all that and more – to help give you the strength, endurance, and agility to live life on your own terms.

Are you tired of not being able to enjoy your favorite activities anymore? Our team of functional aging specialists will help make them possible again!

We help men and women over 50 feel better, look better, and age actively- because our life isn’t over as we age; in many ways, it’s just beginning!

Interested in changing your life for the better? 

Join our 21-Day Strength and Balance program to rediscover everything you’re still capable of!

Sign up here: https://go.ypbtrainingstudio.com/21-day-longevity-and-strength-program.

If you have any questions, call us at (361-857-5087), and we’ll discuss how we can help you!

Do you want to feel better? And move better, too?

Of course you do – everyone does. It’s one of the biggest motivators for getting fit after 50 or staying fit later in life.

People start to complain that their back hurts or that they feel stiff in the morning. But those who feel good and move well know that how you feel is inextricably linked to movement.

To feel better is to suffer fewer aches and pains. Less stiffness. It’s to have more ease walking, twisting, climbing, bending, getting out of the car – the everyday movements that make up your life. From there, it’s sports, playing with kids, and all the other things you enjoy.

That’s where mobility comes in. Along with strength training and endurance, it’s a key part of healthy aging. But it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves until something starts to feel off.

It’s often confused with flexibility, which is the ability of a muscle to lengthen passively, like when you touch your toes or someone helps you stretch.

Mobility, on the other hand, is your ability to actively move a joint through its full range of motion with control. Think of raising your leg in front of you without leaning or using your hands.

As one trainer explains, “Flexibility is what someone can do to you. Mobility is what you can do for yourself.”

As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass and elasticity. We also tend to sit more and move less, which can lead to:

• Poor posture
• Joint stiffness and pain
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Higher fall risk
• Difficulty performing daily tasks

But the solution isn’t to slow down! It’s to move more and smarter. Exercise can reverse many of these declines and help us stay active, independent, and pain-free.

A Well-Rounded Approach

Improving your mobility doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the gym every day. When you visit us and tour our facility, keep these practices in mind. 

1. Strength Training
Strong muscles support your joints and improve how your body moves. Exercises like squats, lunges, and deadlifts build strength and stability, especially around the hips, knees, and back.

2. Stretching
Stretching helps release tight muscles and improve flexibility and range of motion.

• Dynamic stretching (like arm circles or leg swings) is excellent before workouts to warm up.
• Static stretching (holding a stretch for 30–60 seconds) is ideal after workouts to cool down and lengthen muscles.

3. Yoga and Pilates
Both are low-impact, adaptable, and powerful for improving balance, core strength, posture, and flexibility.

• Yoga involves flowing poses and deep breathing.
• Pilates focuses more on alignment and controlled movement.

Even one or two classes a week can help you feel looser, stronger, and more stable.

Improving mobility doesn’t require perfection, just intention. Two to three weekly strength sessions, plus daily movement and stretching, can bring lasting results. The key is to start small, stay consistent, and build from there.

If you want to feel better, you simply must move. We’re here to help you do just that.

Interested in changing your life for the better? 

Join our 21-Day Strength and Balance program to rediscover everything you’re still capable of!

Sign up here: https://go.ypbtrainingstudio.com/21-day-longevity-and-strength-program.

If you have any questions, call us at (361-857-5087), and we’ll discuss how we can help you!

Here are some of the questions we’re often asked regarding exercise after age 50. Let us know of any other questions you have! We are happy to answer them.

Question: Will lifting weights make me big and bulky?
Answer: No! Strength training is absolutely essential to healthy living as we get older. We’re not talking about body building. Trust us: It takes a ton of concentrated effort over a long period of time for healthy young men to get “big and bulky.” It will not happen to you.

But you will be preserving muscle, which is necessary for all movements, including everyday tasks like bringing in the groceries and picking up babies. You’ll also improve your balance, making you less likely to fall, and your bone strength, making you less likely to break something.

Q: Isn’t walking enough exercise for older people?
A: No, it’s not. Sorry – not sorry, as the kids say. Walking is a great start, so if you’re already doing it, then keep it up. And if you’re not, then by all means start. But you need cardiovascular exercise that’s more vigorous; strength training; and agility work, like stretching.

Q: What’s the best kind of exercise for me?
A: The kind that’s fun. The kind you will do regularly. The kind that helps you feel, move and look better. That can be just about anything, and we can help you find the right activity and location for you, even if it’s not with us

Are you tired of not being able to enjoy your favorite activities anymore? Our team of functional aging specialists will help make them possible again!

We help men and women over 50 feel better, look better, and age actively- because our life isn’t over as we age; in many ways, it’s just beginning!

Interested in changing your life for the better? 

Join our 21-Day Strength and Balance program to rediscover everything you’re still capable of!

Sign up here: https://go.ypbtrainingstudio.com/21-day-longevity-and-strength-program.

If you have any questions, call us at (361-857-5087), and we’ll discuss how we can help you!

Dan King, 65, lives by the “use it or lose it” mantra.

“If you’re not pushing yourself physically, you’re signaling your body to decay faster, to degrade faster, and I don’t want that,” Dan says. “I want this chassis to support everything I love to do for as long as possible.”

Dan is one of 4,000 athletes worldwide who competed recently in the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships in Gainesville, Florida.

The event, held every two years, divides track and field competitors into age categories starting at 35 and going as high as necessary.

Two of the oldest participants are a 104-year-old man from Thailand and a 96-year-old woman from New York. The Gainesville newspaper’s site has some great photos.

Fitness = Values
Dan, of Boulder, Colorado, values fitness as a personal value, which he treats with the same reverence as honesty, integrity, compassion, and reliability.

“The competitive aspect of running is the icing on the cake of a lifestyle decision,” he explains. “You know, it gives me something to build goals around and to use to create focus, and it focuses me on being a little bit cleaner with my diet.”

His muscular arms make Dan look like a multi-sport athlete. But the heavy lifting is for lifestyle, not running.

“I do lots of strength training and the reason I do it is not because I think it makes me a better runner,” he says. “I do it because I think it allows me to live a better life as a 65-year-old. It helps me live. It helps me ski and play golf, go on hikes with my wife.”

That is the value of having fitness as part of Dan’s culture. He doesn’t wallow in remorse when he loses a race. Dan is competitive, but he has higher goals.

“I want to age well, and I want to be fit,” Dan said. “I want to be able to do things I love as long as possible.”

National Senior Games Coming Soon

More than 11,000 athletes are expected to attend the National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa, this summer.

“Senior Games provide the camaraderie and challenge of competitive sports to older adults, promote health and well-being, and inspire participants to keep moving,” event organizers say on their website.

“We believe it’s never too late to get active,” the group continues. “Many Senior Games athletes try a sport for the first time in their 50s, 60s, 70s or beyond — and it changes their lives forever.”

We couldn’t agree more. It’s never too late to get fit, whether you want to compete in events like this or enjoy your life more.

We are here to help. See us today.

We help men and women over 50 feel better, look better, and age actively- because our life isn’t over as we age; in many ways, it’s just beginning!

Interested in changing your life for the better? 

Join our 21-Day Strength and Balance program to rediscover everything you’re still capable of! Sign up here: https://go.ypbtrainingstudio.com/21-day-longevity-and-strength-program.

Wednesday, April 2, is National Walking Day, a celebration promoted by the American Heart Association to encourage people to get up and move.

We’re all for anything that helps folks take that first step toward better health. And don’t worry if the day came and went. You can make every day one step! Here are a few fun and motivating facts from the AHA:

1. Walking is the most popular form of exercise. It’s free, simple, and safe for most people.
2. It can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.
3. A brisk walk—just 150 minutes a week—can improve your mood, thinking, and sleep.

That’s just the beginning. Research shows that people with dogs tend to live longer, possibly because of all those daily walks. And walking can also boost creativity and help you solve problems.

But here’s an important reminder: While walking is terrific, it’s not enough, especially after age 50. As we age, we must maintain strength, endurance, balance, and agility. That’s where strength training and functional fitness come in.

So yes, lace up those walking shoes and enjoy the movement. But when you’re ready to go further, see us. Let’s talk about building a well-rounded fitness plan for the long run that supports your active, healthy lifestyle.

If you’re ready to create a personalized plan that’s meaningful enough to stick to, especially when the going gets tough, we’re here to help.

In our 21-Day Longevity and Strength Program, we’ll work together to ensure you’re not just “going through the motions” to hit your goals but living a life that aligns with your values.

Sign up here: https://go.ypbtrainingstudio.com/21-day-longevity-and-strength-program.

Picture this: Your grandchild runs toward you, arms outstretched. You bend down to scoop him up—except your back twinges, your knees protest, and you struggle to stand tall. Sound familiar?

Or maybe you catch yourself slouching, with that rounded back that makes you look and even feel older than you are.

Both are common signs that your posterior chain—the powerhouse of muscles running down your backside—needs some love. This system includes your glutes, hamstrings, lower back, and calves.

Together, they’re responsible for almost everything: lifting, walking, climbing stairs, even standing upright without pain.

At the center of it all is your gluteus maximus, the most significant muscle in the human body. But it’s a team effort.

Dozens of muscles and over 50 bones, including your spine and pelvis, work together to keep you balanced, strong, and moving well. These muscles can weaken as we age, especially if we sit more. The result? Back pain, poor posture, and a higher risk of falls.

The good news? You can build a strong, supportive posterior chain at any age. Start with simple moves like glute bridges, bird dogs, and step-ups. Ready for a little more? Romanian deadlifts and kettlebell swings add power and stability. Two to three focused sessions a week can make everyday life—picking up grandkids or hauling groceries—easier.

Because a firmer backside means a better life, come in today and let’s work on yours.

If you’re over 50 and feeling behind in your life rather than ahead, our team of functional aging specialists is here to help you reclaim your life! 

Interested in changing your life for the better? Join our 21-Day Strength and Balance program to rediscover everything you’re still capable of!

Learn more here: 21-Day Longevity and Strength Program.

Liz Hopwood was planning to have hip-replacement surgery this spring.

But now, she’s too strong and too busy for that. It’ll just have to wait – because Liz, 90, is pain-free and feeling great. She’s been working out twice a week with a trainer at a gym and almost every day at home.

“The doctor wants to postpone the surgery. He says, why operate if you don’t have any pain? ‘” says Liz. Now, she’s looking forward to traveling to two weddings, a class reunion, and a college graduation this summer. The surgery can follow all of that.

“My trainer has made me so strong,” says Liz, who retired from tourism in Washington, D.C., and lives alone. “The advancement that I have made and I’m making is just more than I expected. I can walk upstairs again. I’m amazed. I’m so strong and without any pain.”

Before working with her trainer, Liz had always been active. But after the death of her husband and moving to a new state, she had grown complacent about her home workouts – just a treadmill date with “Judge Judy” every day at 4.

When a gym sent her engaging emails full of interesting content about fitness later in life, she decided to check it out. She hasn’t looked back and attributes her energy and strength to working out with the trainer.

She Wanted to Set an Example

Her motivation is common among older adults who prioritize their physical fitness and continued autonomy: her six grandkids.

“My oldest granddaughter wasn’t exercising,” Liz recalls. “I knew I had to get back into exercise because it would help them. Now, all my children and grandchildren tell me they’re exercising because I do. It makes me feel good.”

Usually when folks cite the grandkids, it’s because they want to be able to play with the youngsters – not inspire them! It’s one of the top reasons why people over 50 or so want to get or stay in shape. They know how important strength, endurance, and agility are to maintaining a high quality of life and physical independence.

Among the other main motivations for mature adults who work out with us:

• Better sleep, mood, and mental clarity
• Less pain and fewer symptoms of chronic ailments
• Weight management
• A supportive social environment
• Better enjoyment of sports, hobbies, and travel

She’s No ‘Freak’

Some people in Liz’s life are not as easily inspired as her grandchildren were – old friends she has back in her previous hometown, who rebuff her when she suggests they exercise, too.

“Most of them have died or they’re in wheelchairs,” she says. “They have this pain or that pain. They look at me and say, ‘No, YOU’RE the exercise person.’ It sounds like I’m a freak.

“But this is valuable – it’s the most important thing in my week,” she says about her gym workouts. “This pays off in health, in everything.”

And when she finally does find time for that surgery, she’s not worried at all.

“I probably won’t need a lot of rehabilitation,” she says. “I’m so strong.”

Do you want to be like Liz when you’re 90? Of course you do! Call us today, and let’s get started together.

Fitness over 50 knows no boundaries. Let’s get it! 

At Your Personal Best Training Studio, our Functional Aging Specialists will improve your balance, functional strength, and endurance. 

Start now by trying our 21-Day Longevity and Strength Program.

Ah, perspiration… Do you hate getting sweaty? Or do you wear it proudly as glistening proof of your effort?

Lots of people think that more sweat shows you’re working harder. But it’s not that simple.

First and foremost, sweat helps regulate body temperature. When your internal thermostat heats up — whether from a workout or a warm day — sweat glands get to work. As sweat evaporates, it cools the skin, helping to prevent overheating.

And here’s a bonus: Sweat can give your skin a healthy glow. When you exercise, increased circulation brings oxygen and nutrients to your skin, and sweat can help clear out clogged pores (as long as you wash up afterward).

But more sweat doesn’t necessarily mean you work harder or burn more calories. Some people sweat more than others due to genetics, fitness, or environment. It’s not always an indicator of workout intensity.

You may also have heard that sweating “detoxes” your body, but that’s a myth. Detoxing is a job for your liver, kidneys, and digestive system, not your sweat glands.

For those over 50, it’s worth noting that sweat production can slow down with age, making it harder to regulate body temperature during exercise or in hot weather. So, stay hydrated and dress appropriately, often in layers of moisture-wicking clothes and a cap.

So, go ahead and enjoy the sweat. It’s just a sign that your body is working hard to keep you healthy.

We help men and women over 50 feel better, look better, and age actively- because our life isn’t over as we age; in many ways, it’s just beginning!

Interested in changing your life for the better? 

Join our 21-Day Strength and Balance program to rediscover everything you’re still capable of!

Sign up here: https://go.ypbtrainingstudio.com/21-day-longevity-and-strength-program.

If you have any questions, call us at (361-857-5087), and we’ll discuss how we can help you!

After age 50 or so, many people start to gain weight, develop high blood pressure, and become frailer and weaker by the day.

Plus, we have universal fears that getting older means we’ll be likely to fall and develop dementia, losing our independence in life.

But what if we told you about a miracle drug that would help you lose weight, manage your blood pressure, and improve your bone density and strength? What if this drug also helped prevent falls and memory loss?

If that came in a pill, you’d swallow it, right? Who wouldn’t?

Nope, It’s Not in A Pill

But if the miracle cure came from strength training? Would you be as excited? Probably not. The health benefits of lifting weights (or resistance/strength training) for older people have been proven countless times over many years. Yet it’s still seen as a young person’s activity, usually in pursuit of nothing more than a muscular physique.

Education is crucial in overcoming harmful stereotypes, so we are more than happy to share a few of the literally countless reasons why you should practice resistance training regularly.

You don’t want to be one of those people who can’t get up off the toilet by yourself. Or who can’t pick up your grandbaby. Or sleep through the night.

We’ll start with 15 – all proven by legitimate medical studies. This isn’t just our opinion. Ask your doctor. Then call us, and let’s get going. 

15 Reasons to Start Weightlifting Now

1. It slows age-related muscle loss and increases muscle mass and quality. We all lose muscle as we age, but we need it to stay strong enough to function in daily activities, travel, enjoy sports, and play with grandkids.
2. Resistance training burns fat. Think it’s all about cardio? Wrong. So many people want to lose weight, and if you’re one of them, then you need to be lifting.
3. Weight training improves balance — both when standing still and when moving, thus lowering the risk of falls.
4. It eases arthritis pain.
5. Lowers blood pressure.
6. And fights obesity.
7. Strength training builds bones and fights osteoporosis. This is an extra motivation for women, who lose a small percentage of bone mass each year after menopause.
8. It fights depression among older adults.
9. Plus dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
10. And Parkinson’s Disease.
11. Weightlifting helps you sleep better.
12. It helps your self-esteem and appearance.
13. It can improve memory and mild cognitive impairment.
14. Strength training is effective at treating the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes.
15. It boosts our metabolism, burns fat, and builds muscle. So, we also use more calories when we’re resting and sleeping.

We are talking about the safest, most effective tool to improve your quality of life. We promise you will NOT look like you’re entering a bodybuilding show.

Plus – seriously – it’s a ton of fun. And think how tickled you’ll be telling your kids and grandkids that you’re lifting weights!

Sorry it’s not in a pill. But we know this way is better. 

If you’re over 50, stuck in a health rut, and are ready to feel like yourself again, our team of functional aging specialists knows precisely what you need to get your health and fitness back where it should be! 

We help men and women over 50 feel better, look better, and age actively- because our life isn’t over as we age; in many ways, it’s just beginning!

Interested in changing your life for the better? 

Join our 21-Day Strength and Balance program to rediscover everything you’re still capable of!

Sign up here: https://go.ypbtrainingstudio.com/21-day-longevity-and-strength-program.

If you have any questions, call us at (361-857-5087), and we’ll discuss how we can help you!