19/08/2026
THE IMPORTANCE OF REGAINING FLEXIBILITY AFTER 50
As our agile flexibility decreases with age, it can be easy to resign ourselves to thinking that we'll never regain it.
However, maintaining our flexibility through to old age is vital to ensuring we get the most out of our later life.
When it comes to flexibility, your motto should be: use it or lose it. The implications for not focussing on stretching and moving your body after fifty are huge. As a yoga teacher and wellbeing coach, Donna Noble notes, "Maintaining flexibility after fifty is important as it helps decrease the risk of injuries such as fractures and muscle strains. It also improves your posture and your ability to perform daily tasks."
So, how do you go about regaining and maintaining your flexibility as you age? Regular yoga or pilates sessions are good ways to get started while under the guidance of a teacher. Alternatively, you can do stretching sessions at home or at the gym while ensuring you aren't pushing yourself too hard.
There are two types of stretches that you can try: static or dynamic. Static stretches are the type that involves sitting, standing, or lying still and holding one position for up to 45 seconds. In contrast, dynamic stretches move your body rather than maintain a posture. They are great for warming up before you exercise, such as running or doing your strength.
