Fitness at 50: Rediscovering Strength and Endurance

Today our guest blog comes from Ben Brumfit of Lifefit Complete, a member of our C100 Business Club, sharing his inspiring journey of fitness at (almost) 50 and the transformative power of exercise.

Fitness at 50 (Well, Almost)

I make no secret of my age, and I’m not trying to be the person I was 30 years ago. Things have changed. I run a business, I have children, and there is a limited amount of time available to me. My goals are very different now. However, there is still something in me that doesn't want to grow old and be the person who can’t do something, and I still cling to my fitness from long ago.

My story is mixed, and like most people in their 40s, I come with history. I’ll give you a little synopsis, and then we’ll get to it.

Early Love for Exercise

I have always loved exercising and competed in sport at a high level in school. While I didn't completely disregard my love of competitive sport, I never really pushed myself to the limits that, upon reflection, I could have. I decided I really liked spending time with my mates and having a bit of a laugh rather than dedicating my entire life to just fitness. I trained hard but drank alcohol and partied hard too. This is not a conducive environment for high-level sport.

Transition to Special Forces

I pulled myself together in my 30s, applied for the UK Special Forces Reserves, and successfully completed the selection process. A few years after a tour of Afghanistan, I was competing in a 100-mile race and, due to a lack of preparation, got injured. Afterwards, I'd like to add. I feel like I would like to reconnect with that level of fitness, but is it realistic? Only time will tell.

The Long Road to Recovery

My road to recovery has been long, significantly longer than I thought it would be. I started trying to run again about 5 years ago and kept getting injured. Mainly because I thought I was in my 30’s again and didn’t step back to a beginner level. Then, 2 years ago, I thought I should really give it some thought and listen to my own advice. I went right back to basics. I was running 50 meters at a time and repeating that about 5 times. I was really ashamed of my lack of ability to run, considering my previous physical fitness levels.

Building Back Up

But I kept it slow and kept the progress steady. Over the course of a year, I built up to 5 km, and then this past year, I have built up to 9 km. While this may not seem like a great success, I am entered into the Brighton Marathon for next year, and this blog will detail my slow but hopefully uninjured approach to my first marathon in over 10 years.

Key Takeaways for Fitness in Your 40s

Whether you are training for a marathon or not, you may find the journey of returning to fitness an interesting insight into the do’s and don’ts of training in your 40s. So the message of this story so far is:

• Start Small and Build

• Progress Over Perfection (Cheesy but True)

• Don’t Forget to Follow the Advice of Trained Professionals (Twat)

Bringing Personalised Fitness to Brighton

At the heart of Brighton, I operate two fitness studios. The first is an intimate space designed for one-on-one training sessions, ensuring personalised attention and tailored workout plans. The second, our newly opened facility in Port Hall, offers vibrant group training sessions and a mind body studio, fostering a community spirit that motivates and uplifts. Having experienced the transformative power of exercise throughout my life, I am committed to spreading the right messages about healthy living. Whether you're looking to revitalise your routine, recover from an injury, or simply start your fitness journey, I'm here to guide and support you every step of the way.

Now, I wish I had something witty to sign off with, but I’ll think of something for you all. At the moment, I’m going with, "Remember, nothing says self-care like a workout."

See you on the gym floor,

Ben

Website: www.lifefitcomplete.com

Instagram: @lifefitcomplete

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