"There are so many benefits to getting in great shape even before you get pregnant," says Trink. "It will give you stamina and stability throughout your pregnancy and the childbirth process, and it will make getting back into shape after you give birth so much easier." Core function is especially important while you're carrying extra weight -- it can minimize back strain -- and learning how to activate certain muscles will make it easier to get them back post-pregnancy.
After you've had a baby, Pagano stresses how important it is to get back to your routine as soon as you've been cleared by your doctor. "There's a small window of opportunity when your hormones will actually help you lose a lot of body fat," she says.
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If you're in your 30s ...
... and you're working like crazy.
Your fitness fix: Work out at work.
If you're intensely focused on your career, chances are you're neglecting your exercise routine -- and you're probably getting a "desk butt." "Someone who sits for hours at a time will have tight hips and overstretched glutes," says Trink. Pagano recommends setting an alarm at your desk (try an email reminder) to go off every two hours. "You need to stretch your upper body and open up your hips," she says. Sure, your co-workers may look at you strangely, but incorporating exercise into your workday will make a huge difference in how you look and feel.
Mini exercise bands are easy to stash in your office, and they're ideal for sneaking in mid-afternoon workouts. Pagano suggests lateral and forward walking with the mini band around your knees. Don't work in the kind of office where this kind of fitness break is acceptable? Join a gym nearby and sneak in early a.m. or even lunchtime workouts.
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If you're in your 40s ...
... and you're out of shape.
Your fitness fix: Exercise -- Every. Single. Day.
We know what you're thinking: It's an impossible goal. But it's extremely important to work out regularly during this decade of your life. "Testosterone levels start to become erratic, and you'll lose muscle mass," explains Louann Brizendine, MD, hormone expert and author of "The Female Brain." The good news is that 30 minutes a day is enough to make a difference. Pagano suggests focusing on high-intensity exercises in intermittent bursts. "Think full-body movement," she says, "like interval training on a cardio machine or circuit training with at least four different exercises." By working out regularly, you can help keep your hormone levels in check and preserve -- or even build -- muscle.
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If you're in your 40s ...
... and you want to take it to the next level.
Your fitness fix: Amp up your strength training.
"If you're in your 40s and you have a good history of training regularly, chances are you're in fantastic shape," says Trink. "Women at this age do really well with strength training -- their bodies respond beautifully." To wit: Madonna's arms once she turned 40. Squats and dead lifts that incorporate weights are Trink's weight training go-tos. Pagano says that now is the time to focus on your upper body if you're not already doing so. While both experts believe that you don't have to lift huge weights, two-pound dumbbells probably aren't going to cut it. "Women are so afraid of 'bulking up,'" says Pagano. "But if you're not lifting enough weight to build muscle, you're not getting any benefit."
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If you're in your 50s ...
... and you're going through menopause.
Your fitness fix: Work out for your mood.
"Honor the fact that your body is going through a normal, natural process, and pay more attention to knowing your physical self well," says Brizendine. Fluctuating hormone levels can lead to mood swings, and exercise is an excellent remedy. "Weight training causes the body to release substance 'x' -- medicine doesn't really know what it is," she explains. "But it improves mood."
Most of us have an arsenal of serums and creams to fight wrinkles -- so why aren't we taking the same all-in approach when it comes to tackling another major pitfall of aging: a slowing metabolism?
According to the Center for Disease Control, the average American woman gains almost a pound a year after age 20, meaning that the fear of turning 40 and being stuck with an extra five, 10, or even 20 pounds is perfectly legitimate. And the longer you wait to develop a fitness strategy, the harder it's going to be to get rid of the pooch.
While hormones are part of the equation, especially as your body changes during different phases of life, your weight is within your control. "The reason we get weaker and out of shape as we get older isn't so much about biological factors as it is about lifestyle factors," says Dan Trink, Director of Personal Training Operations at Peak Performance in New York City. "If you stay active, you'll have a strong, healthy body your whole life."
Trink, along with all the experts we spoke with, believes that it isn't about adding specific exercises to your routine as you age -- it's more about adjusting your workouts to your changing lifestyle and hormonal profile. "A lot of the training for different age groups is going to be similar," says Maria Pagano, RD, exercise physiologist and Tier 4 Personal Training Manager at Equinox. "But the reasons behind it are different."
Whether you're looking to amp up your routine to get rid of a few pesky pounds or you haven't worked out in years, it's never too late -- or too soon -- to start. "At any age, the risks of being sedentary far outweigh the risks of pulling a muscle," says Trink. "Getting to the gym is much safer than sitting in a chair for the rest of your life."
You heard the man. Now, are you ready to get off your couch and onto a treadmill? See the best workout for your age now.
