Strength after 50, with Mel
Stay strong for the life you love.
Low-impact strength, balance and mobility training for people 50 and over. It is built around the things you want to keep doing, and the pace that suits you.
Led by Mel, NASM Master Trainer and Senior Fitness Specialist.
What it is really for
- Getting down on the floor to play with your grandchildren, and getting back up.
- Sitting through their concerts, start to finish.
- A road trip without worrying about slowing anyone down.
- A longer walk than you could manage last month.
- The stairs, up and down, without the fear.
None of these are small. They are the difference between watching life and taking part in it, and every one of them can be trained for.
From Mel
This is my favorite work.
If I had to choose one group of people to train, it would be this one. The things my clients work toward are the ones that matter most: getting down on the floor with a grandchild, having the strength for a long day out, walking further than before.
When someone tells me they are afraid of the stairs, I take it seriously, because that fear is real. At this stage of life you should get to enjoy it, and my job is to help you feel strong and steady enough to do that.
Working with this community has been a grounding reminder not to take my own age or health for granted. I have real reverence for the people I get to train, and we get to do it in a way that is fun.
What we keep track of
Progress you can see.
We measure a few plain things at the start and come back to them, so you know what is changing and what to work on next.
Body measurements
A simple record of where you are starting, so change is something you can see.
Posture
How you stand and hold yourself when you are not thinking about it.
Mobility
How freely your joints move through the ranges everyday life asks of them.
Cardio
How your heart and lungs handle steady effort, like a brisk walk.
Coordination
How smoothly your body puts a movement together.
Your history comes with you
We work with your care team.
Most people arrive with a history, and your plan should respect it. I have trained men and women who have had knee, hip and shoulder replacements, people with osteoporosis, and people who have been through cancer.
I am used to working alongside chiropractors, physiotherapists, doctors, and dietitians, and adapting to what they advise. If you have someone looking after your health, bring them into it.
Training is not medical treatment and does not replace your doctor or therapist. If you are under their care, check with them before you start.
How to begin
One step at a time.
Start with an assessment
You record how you stand and a simple squat at home, with clear guidance. Your coach reviews it and explains what they see in a private video.
Get a plan that fits you
Exercises chosen for your starting point, your history, and the space and equipment you have, laid out in the Ardenti app.
Train at your pace
Follow your plan on your own, or train with Mel live over video for instruction and feedback as you go.