What’s the right age to join a gym

Exercise should be a part of everyone’s lifestyle irrespective of age

Published : 29 Aug 2017, 17:27

Jagoroniya Desk

Human body undergoes changes as it grows older. With exercise and good nutrition, one can enjoy the most from the years to come. Joining a gym is becoming a trend, but what is the right age to work out at a gym.

From the time you are born until you reach teenage, your muscles continue to grow larger and stronger. At the age of 17-18, your body becomes mature enough to bear vigorous exercises at a gym. Although this single factor is not responsible to determine the appropriate age for joining the gym, 18 plus can be considered the right age to start building up muscles and working out at the gym.

These days we see children of 14-15 years old joining the gym. It has become more of a fashion trend than a fitness regimen. Also, gym owners allow them to join to make more profits. At the early teenage, your body goes through a lot of hormonal changes and it needs good nutrition. So, stressing your body up in the gym makes no sense. Though, you can do light exercises at a gym to keep yourself fit, maintain a distance from weighted squats and deadlifts till 17.

Exercise is the natural movement of limbs to perform from the very first month of your birth. It is very much essential for the development of stamina, power and flexibility. Crawling, walking, running, cycling and swimming all are sort of exercises where your muscles get exerted against resistance. Then, why you shouldn’t start gym before 17? It is because many gym movements are injury prone and can lead to unwanted sprain and strains if done on a high intensity and in a wrong way. Young children below 17 have less concentration, seriousness, stability, balance and involvement. All these factors can lead to an accident. Also, gym exercises seem to be boring to young children. The growth of their height can also get stopped after gyming.

It is advised that 17-18 is the best age where the benefits of working out at a gym can be achieved without any trouble. It can lead to strong, muscular, lean and healthy physique in men and shapely, slim and healthy outline among women.

Always be careful while joining a gym. You should be mentally and physically healthy. Do proper training under the supervision of a well-qualified, certified and motivating trainer. If you are a gym enthusiast and have joined a gym at an early age below 17, learn the basics, right technique and safe movements first. In the modern era, you’re blessed with the latest gym machines which are safe to use even at a young age under the guidance of a proficient gym trainer. However, by the age of 17-18, you may start gaining gym experience in the safest way.

As you age, if you have never exercised before, you may feel discouraged due to health problems like aches and pains or concerns about injuries or falls while joining a gym. But, there are many reasons to get moving and becoming more active by way of gym even at the age of 40 or 50. Reaping the rewards of working out at a gym doesn’t have to involve strenuous workouts. It’s all about adding more movement and activity to your life. Gym exercises may contribute to longevity and add extra years to your life. You’ll not only look better but feel sharper, more energetic and experience a greater sense of well-being. You’ll reduce the impact of illness and chronic diseases like blood pressure, diabetes, immune and digestive ill-functioning, heart diseases, obesity, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and certain cancers. Gym workout improves strength, flexibility and proper posture in older adults. It benefits mental health by boosting mood and self-confidence. Gym exercises improve quality of sleep and you wake up feeling more energetic and refreshed.

No matter your age, it’s never too late to join a gym and boost your health and outlook. Gym benefits can be just as great at 40or 50 as they were at 20 or 30.

Remember, “Excess of anything is bad”. Workout for an hour five days a week accompanied with a healthy diet is more than sufficient to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Enjoy working out at the gym at the right age, in the right way.

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