5 exercise habits that cause the body to age quickly

Regular exercise plays an important role in helping maintain a healthy figure and body. However, exercising incorrectly can speed up the aging process, increasing wear and tear on joints and muscles. Michael Baah, a trainer in London, England, points out 5 common mistakes that exercisers should avoid to maximize performance and keep the body youthful and healthy.

Workout without resting

A very common mistake is exercising without giving the body time to rest and recover. According to Baah, overtraining leads to chronic inflammation, increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increased risk of injury, thereby causing the body to age prematurely.

Everyone should arrange an appropriate exercise schedule, balancing exercise and rest time. This helps reduce excessive stress on the body while still maintaining movement. Try simple activities like light yoga, stretching, or reflexive games with a tennis ball to stay active during recovery days.

Skip strength training

Strength training is essential for improving muscle and bone strength, especially as you age. Skipping resistance exercises speeds up muscle and bone loss, making the body weaker and more susceptible to injury as you age.

Baah recommends doing 2-3 strength training sessions per week, focusing on functional exercises like deadlifts, squats, and push-ups. People can use resistance bands or household items such as water bottles as weights if they cannot go to the gym.

Only do high impact exercises

Continuously performing high-impact exercise, such as jumping or running, can promote joint wear and tear over time, increasing the risk of arthritis or injury.

People should combine high-impact exercises with low-impact exercises like walking, cycling or swimming. These activities are both gentle on the joints and improve cardiovascular health. Try joint-friendly strengthening exercises like lunges or butt lifts to maintain a well-rounded workout routine.

Skip warming up and stretching

Warm-up and cool-down stretching are important parts. Skipping a warm-up increases the chance of injury during exercise, while skipping stretches causes muscles to stiffen and recover more slowly.

Start your exercise session with a warm-up such as arm swings and leg swings to warm up your muscles. After the workout, perform static stretches to target major muscle groups. Massage balls and foam rollers can be used to reduce muscle tension and increase blood circulation.

Skip flexibility exercises

Not performing exercises that improve flexibility and mobility limits the body’s range of motion, leading to poor posture and ineffective movement. This condition often becomes severe with age.

Baah advises people to spend time doing exercises like yoga or pilates to reduce stiffness and improve mobility. If you don’t have much time, incorporate stretching exercises like hip openers or cat-cow pose during TV time or after exercise.