Why Age Shouldn't Dictate Your Exercise Program

Why Age Shouldn’t Dictate Your Exercise Program

“The fitness industry’s obsession with age-based workout recommendations is holding people back,” asserts Michele Bond, M.S., whose groundbreaking research in the International Journal of Exercise Science has challenged traditional exercise paradigms. As a contributing author to “Fascia, The Tensional Network of the Human Body – 2nd Edition” and a Kinesiologist with over two decades of experience, Bond is revolutionizing how we think about age and exercise.

“I see programs constantly marketed as ‘best for over 40’ or ‘designed for seniors,’ but here’s the truth: some 20-year-olds need basic movement correction while some 70-year-olds thrive on advanced training,” Bond explains. Through her proprietary assessment system, The Kinesiogram™, she’s proven that movement capability, not age, should determine exercise selection.

The problem with age-based exercise recommendations runs deeper than simple categorization. Bond’s research shows that assuming someone’s exercise needs based on their age can lead to either inadequate challenge or inappropriate intensity. “What matters is your current movement capacity and medical history, not your birth year,” she emphasizes.

A recent client perfectly illustrated this principle. At 96 years old, they came to Bond after being told they were “too old” for serious exercise. Through The Kinesiogram™ assessment, Bond identified significant untapped movement potential. With proper guidance, they developed improved balance, strength, and movement grace – achievements that defied age-based expectations.

“The body responds to proper movement stimulus at any age,” Bond shares. “When we remove arbitrary age restrictions and focus on individual movement patterns, remarkable transformations become possible.”

Through extensive clinical experience, Bond has observed that age often serves as an artificial limitation. “People internalize these age-based restrictions, believing certain activities are ‘no longer appropriate’ for them,” she explains. “This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

The science behind Bond’s approach focuses on tissue response rather than chronological age. Her research into fascial adaptation shows that proper movement stimulus can enhance tissue quality regardless of age. “The key is understanding how to progress appropriately based on current capabilities, not calendar years.”

Consider another client who came to Bond at age 55, believing they needed to switch to “gentle” exercise because of their age. Through movement assessment, Bond discovered they were capable of far more challenging activities than they realized. By focusing on movement quality rather than age-based limitations, they achieved performance levels that surpassed their younger years.

“Age can actually be an advantage,” Bond reveals. “Older adults often have better body awareness and movement control when properly trained. They can achieve remarkable results precisely because they’re not bound by the ‘go hard or go home’ mentality common among younger exercisers.”

The implications of this research extend beyond individual training. Bond’s work suggests that age-based exercise recommendations may be contributing to unnecessary physical decline. “When we limit people’s movement options based on age, we create artificial barriers to their potential,” she notes.

Through The Kinesiogram™ system, Bond assesses each individual’s unique movement patterns and creates programs based on actual physical capacity rather than age-based assumptions. “The results often surprise people,” she shares. “They discover capabilities they never knew they had.”

This approach represents a paradigm shift in exercise prescription. Instead of using age as the primary determinant, Bond emphasizes current movement quality, medical history, and individual goals. “Age becomes just one of many factors we consider, not the defining characteristic,” she explains.

Success stories from Bond’s practice demonstrate the power of this approach. “When we remove age-based limitations, people often exceed their own expectations,” she notes. “It’s about what your body can do now, not what someone thinks it should do at your age.”

The impact extends beyond physical capability. Bond’s research indicates that breaking free from age-based exercise restrictions can enhance confidence, independence, and quality of life. “Movement freedom doesn’t have an expiration date,” she emphasizes.

Ready to discover your true movement potential, regardless of age? Visit www.michelebond.com and sign up for the mailing list to learn about age-independent exercise approaches and receive notification about the upcoming online training community launching in early 2025. Break free from age-based limitations and unlock your body’s true capabilities.