{"id":70724,"date":"2025-07-17T19:49:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T19:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/70724\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T19:49:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T19:49:14","slug":"5-workout-habits-that-age-you-faster-after-40","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/70724\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Workout Habits That Age You Faster After 40"},"content":{"rendered":"

Staying active as you age is essential for leading a strong, fulfilling, and independent life. But if you\u2019re over 40 and diligent with your fitness routine, there may be a few sneaky workout habits doing more harm than good. That\u2019s why we spoke with Dr. Kira Capozzolo<\/b>, doctor of chiropractic and co-owner at Twin Waves Wellness Center<\/a>, who reveals the exercise habits<\/a> that could secretly be aging your body after 40\u2014and what to do instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cDepending on what your workout routine<\/a> is like, you could be accelerating wear and tear in your 40s<\/a> and beyond,\u201d Dr. Capozzolo cautions.<\/p>\n

Below are some of the common habits Dr. Capozzolo sees people doing and how to fix them.<\/p>\n

\tYou\u2019re pushing through pain.<\/p>\n

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Dr. Capozzolo often sees clients dismiss muscle strain or joint discomfort, chalking them up to simply getting older. But she warns that neither is something to ignore, explaining, \u201cPain is your body\u2019s way of waving a red flag.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rather than pushing through pain, tweak your movements, incorporate more mobility work into your sessions, and address the root cause of the issue, whether it may be inflammation, posture, or incorrect movement patterns.<\/p>\n

\u201cGentle chiropractic care can also help realign your body so you\u2019re not compensating in ways that lead to injury,\u201d Dr. Capozzolo notes.<\/p>\n

If You Can Do This Combo Without Rest, Your Core Is Decades Younger<\/a><\/p>\n

\tYou\u2019re only performing high-impact cardio.<\/p>\n

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Whether you\u2019re looking to kick up the calorie burn or maintain your fitness, beware of overdoing high-impact cardio.<\/p>\n

\u201cRunning or HIIT five days a week might torch calories\u2014but it also batters your joints over time, especially if you\u2019re not recovering properly,\u201d Dr. Capozzolo explains. \u201cInstead, swap in low-impact cardio like swimming, cycling, or walking with intervals. You\u2019ll still challenge your cardiovascular system without the joint stress.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\tYou\u2019re skipping strength training.<\/p>\n

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Consider strength training your fountain of youth; it shouldn\u2019t be overlooked or pushed to the back-burner!<\/p>\n

\u201cToo many people over 40 focus only on cardio and neglect resistance training. But that speeds up muscle loss (sarcopenia) and weakens your bones,\u201d says Dr. Capozzolo \u201cInstead, prioritize strength training two to three times a week, focusing on functional movements that support balance, posture, and everyday mobility.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\tYou\u2019re not giving your body ample recovery time.<\/p>\n

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Carving out ample time for rest and recovery is just as important as your workouts themselves.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e<\/p>\n

\u201cYour body needs more time to recover as you age, especially if you\u2019re dealing with inflammation, joint stiffness, or stress,\u201d Dr. Capozzolo tells us. \u201cBuild rest days into your week. Stretch, foam roll, hydrate, sleep well, and consider bodywork like chiropractic or massage to support recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

If You Can Do These 7 Strength Moves, You\u2019re Aging Like Someone Half Your Age<\/a><\/p>\n

\tYou\u2019re not including variety in your workouts.<\/p>\n

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Not only can doing the same old workout become mundane, but it can stall your progress. According to Dale Santiago<\/b><\/a>, Rumble boxing trainer and national talent manager, following the same routine for years can also lead to lack of neuromuscular challenge and overuse injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead, mix up your routine! Incorporate balance work, flexibility training, and new movement patterns to challenge your body in different ways and keep it adaptable,\u201d Dr. Capozzolo recommends.<\/p>\n

Alexa Mellardo<\/p>\n

\t\tAlexa is a content strategist, editor, and writer based in Greenwich, Connecticut. She has 11+ years of experience creating content for travel, lifestyle, fitness, wellness, F&B, home, and celeb news publications.\t\t\t\t\tRead more about Alexa <\/a><\/p>\n