Many people who have been active in sports in their youth seem to think that once they hit 40 they have to give everything up and take up a more sedate life, but nothing is further from the truth. The fact is that there are lots more sports out there now that cater for the more mature athlete so that these athletes can perform sports at a master level rather than having to hang up their running shoes and watch the younger athletes from the side lines. Take the sport of power lifting as an example, they have a masters division for athletes that are aged 40 and over, many cycling clubs have a cut off age of 35 for standard riders but then offer an additional rider class for those aged 55 and over. No matter what your sport, just because you think your age places you over the hill, there is no reason for you to give up completely.

Sports to Consider

Running: Running is probably the sport that sees the largest amount of 40’s getting involved in it, after all no equipment is required other than a pair of running shoes and you can set you own pace and run for as long or as short a time as you want.  There is no team ethic unless you join a running club and it’s a pretty self-regulated sporting activity.

Mountain Biking & Cycling: You may assume that mountain bikes are strictly for the kids but who is to say that a more mature person can’t have a go? Cycling is great for boosting cardio vascular activity and is a lot lower impact on the joints that running. Join a cycle club and try your hand at road racing or on the track, there are even BMX groups for the older racer so get back on your bike and go and have some fun.

Power Lifting: Strength sports are often popular with more mature athletes, and nothing gets more attention in the gym from the young hopefuls than an older and wiser master. Even if you don’t want to take it as far as the power lifting competitions there are still many other strength related categories that you could go for such as the bench press.

Body Building: Forget about strength and stamina and flaunt your body beautiful, sculpting your body into a work of art in its own right is also something that the over 40’s are getting into. Even if you choose not to take it as far as competition level you will still be doing wonders for your levels of self-esteem.

Triathlon: We’re not talking about the iron man competition here, just the regular triathlon. Locally run competitions generally offer a shorter circuit for competitors and you can use these smaller local events to get you in shape for the bigger ones.

Adventure Sports: Try your hand at something that gets your adrenalin pumping and makes you feel well and truly alive, such as abseiling, kayaking or hiking and get back in touch with the great outdoors again, it certainly beats looking at the same four walls of the gym.

Related Blogs:

Are Extreme Sports Really Dangerous?

2012 International Triathlon Events

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