[TXSTYLE]

And NOT your 30's.

So I'm back into my Summer fitness routine. After a very serious bout of COVID late last year, I've been recently cleared by my Pulmonologist and Cardiologist to resume full workouts and exercises. Not to mention, I'm 51.
I've worked out all of my life and am proud to say, folks generally think on in my late 30s to early 40s. I don't care what nobody says, it's always nice to hear that as you get older!
But one thing is for certain... My body reminds me that it's aging. Stuff like overall stamina and particularly, joints are a constant reminder. I recently have suffered from a nagging knee. Only a brace will help. Not ointments or heat or cold.
How do my middle aged guys here handle joint issues?
By the way... I refuse to ever settle with Chicken Legs.

[ryan stewart]

I'm only in my 40s but played football so my knees are in their 50s. Compression garments like socks and shorts help a lot or a band. And then immediately after I do something I've got those gel cold packs that strap around joints and whatnot.

And go ahead and get yourself a sports therapist

[M5Rick]

Hemp oil,cannabis sativa oleum joint and muscle cream massaged in does wonders for aching knees.

[TR930]

Get a hypervolt massage gun and thank me later. Get Diclofenac cream at Costco.

50, high school and college football, basketball, baseball.

Oh, Advil Dual action is a lifesaver too!

[damack]

Haha, I'm transitioning to my post mid 50's, I've always worked hard to keep in shape and feel more like I'm in my 40's. Until I hang out with people that are 40. Then I'm harshly reminded.

I can't comment on your joint pain but I generally experience it when my weight gets a bit heavier than normal. Once I trim back down it tends to go away.

[spazzyfry123]

Heat typically does it best for me. Both knees have been under the knife as well as some hardware on my spine. Be sure to REALLY stretch before doing anything and focus on strength training in the area to support a bum joint. I laughed when my wife told me to try yoga...a few cocktails later I said "ah hell with it." Yoga really helps with stiff joints.

My health insurance offers something called "Hinge Health" for free. It is a guided application that helps a specific problem area. Comes with a tablet, some sensors, a personal coach, and a routine that develops as you do. I use it for my back, but they have offerings for shoulder, knees, etc. Might be worth looking into.

Curious what your pulmonologist had you doing post Covid. I had it way back Christmas 2020, but my lungs have never really gotten back to where they were. I recently got over a sinus infection, and I'm quickly reminded how little oxygen I'm getting. I used to be 20+ miles a day on the bike, now I'm winded carrying my daughter to the truck.

[tcphoto]

You are preaching to the choir, I am 58 and have always been fit but a grade 2 sprain of an ACL will slow you down. I too had Covid over the Christmas and NYE holidays and my fitness took a big hit. All you can do is keep moving and do it consistently.

[TXSTYLE]

Good stuff guys. I definitely do NOT let my age stop me from looking good. Now more than ever, at this age, due diligence is a must.
I believe I tweaked my knee by while working on the yard and moving soil and mulch bags while rotating with my feet in place while bending with my knee.
But yeah, joints are definitely a concern as you age.

[Darth One]

I’m not 50 yet but every year after 40 brings more of what you’re talking about, OP.

Yoga and stretching have huge benefits. But i’ve got to put in a fair amount of time stretching. Also my theragun is nearly magical in its ability to prevent DOMS and speed recovery. Someone also mentioned hypervolt, which i hear is equally as effective.

I also see a chiropractor, who helps with nagging pain and injury. We need all the help we can get!

Oh, also, i still lift, but not heavy weights anymore. Just too much wear and tear. I have all the muscle mass i want, i just want to lift enough to keep it, and focus on endurance, functional strength and mobility instead

[DETRoadster]

I'm 48 and my wife and I started working out with a personal trainer about 6 months ago, focusing entirely on flexibility, mobility, and strength (no muscle mass, strength. Particularly core and throughout the mid and upper back). It's made a huge difference in day to day quality of life. I'm less injury prone and am able to do more active things without paying for it the next day. We do a ton of stretching as well.

[ToddBlack88]

As someone who is just about to hit that number, played baseball to a high level into my early 20’s, rugby through high school, and has recently suffered my first real time out injury playing sports, all I can say is STRETCH!

Our muscles don’t have the same flexibility they used to, and don’t respond to quick movements when cold without reminding us painfully.

I just stepped back on the ice today for my first skate after a labrum and groin tear suffered in hockey in October..

[e61it]

Be judicious in your use of advil, diclofenac, etc. Check in with your doc to make sure it's right for you.

[RickFLM4]

I am 54 and so far pretty lucky to avoid most joint pain (wish my wife was as lucky - she will need a knee replacement at some point). But I get frequent muscle pains and strains. I can hurt myself sleeping.

For pain, I use Tylenol and cold packs / heat. I try to avoid naproxen and ibuprofen per my GI and PCP. For strains, I take it easy until the strain is resolved. It took me a few years to figure out that last part.

[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by DETRoadster

I'm 48 and my wife and I started working out with a personal trainer about 6 months ago, focusing entirely on flexibility, mobility, and strength (no muscle mass, strength. Particularly core and throughout the mid and upper back). It's made a huge difference in day to day quality of life. I'm less injury prone and am able to do more active things without paying for it the next day. We do a ton of stretching as well.

Seriously this. I started going to a sports therapist a few years ago for a running injury and basically learned how to adjust my workout to work around my bodies shortcomings. My knee issue was because of an imbalance in strength putting pressure on the knee, even just resting.

Changing how I lift to even out pressure on the knee and working on form was a game changer. Im in the best shape of my life (well was, before breaking my collarbone, but in a few weeks will be getting back into it).

Things came naturally when we were 20, now that were old we need to be really strategic.

[KK22]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

And NOT your 30's.

So I'm back into my Summer fitness routine. After a very serious bout of COVID late last year, I've been recently cleared by my Pulmonologist and Cardiologist to resume full workouts and exercises. Not to mention, I'm 51.
I've worked out all of my life and am proud to say, folks generally think on in my late 30s to early 40s. I don't care what nobody says, it's always nice to hear that as you get older!
But one thing is for certain... My body reminds me that it's aging. Stuff like overall stamina and particularly, joints are a constant reminder. I recently have suffered from a nagging knee. Only a brace will help. Not ointments or heat or cold.
How do my middle aged guys here handle joint issues?
By the way... I refuse to ever settle with Chicken Legs.

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

And NOT your 30's.

So I'm back into my Summer fitness routine. After a very serious bout of COVID late last year, I've been recently cleared by my Pulmonologist and Cardiologist to resume full workouts and exercises. Not to mention, I'm 51.
I've worked out all of my life and am proud to say, folks generally think on in my late 30s to early 40s. I don't care what nobody says, it's always nice to hear that as you get older!
But one thing is for certain... My body reminds me that it's aging. Stuff like overall stamina and particularly, joints are a constant reminder. I recently have suffered from a nagging knee. Only a brace will help. Not ointments or heat or cold.
How do my middle aged guys here handle joint issues?
By the way... I refuse to ever settle with Chicken Legs.

I turned 47 on Friday and have always ran 3-4 miles three times a week mixed with lifting weights pre Covid. I did contact omicron in Feb but I was back to doing my jump rope workout after recovery of 3-3500 skips in sets of 1000.

Since it's warming up again in Chicago I've started to run outside again and I have the same problem as you but with my left knee. Strangely my right knee, which has a reconstructed ACL from my twenties, is fine. I just power through the run for now since 6-7 minutes into the run the knee warms up and the pain is bearable, but I'm thinking this can't be a long term solution. I am guessing this is due to a worn down meniscus, but I haven't asked my PCP to diagnose this yet. I might do next month at my annual.

Another more accomplished runner than I who is older but much lighter than me (doesn't lift) just pops a couple of Aleves before running his marathons. Maybe we just grin and bear it? But I'm more concerned about my 60s and 70s and the condition the ligaments will be in then. Isn't knee replacement a thing for runners in the older years feasible yet? I had started jump roping on a thick pad as an alternative but it definitely doesn't give as good a workout IMO. Also, I do love (pain free) running. Still looking for a solid solution.

[Esteban]

Had knee pain years ago. Felt like walking on broken glass in my right knee. Left knee wasn't as bad, yet. Increased my leg exercises. Squats, lunges, stair stepping, 3 times a week. All with weights. I also take a brisk 3 mile walk 6 nights a week. No more knee pain. 67yo here.

PS - that's what works for me. Might be different for you.

[chassis]

A handful of ibuprofen before, during and after strenuous activities helps. Strenuous = 6-9 hour Rocky Mountain hikes, or equivalent.

[JP10]

Yoga, helped my knee pain so much. I believe I have the same brace haha

[garyfried]

I'm 71 and have exercised most days of my life. I do stretches and a workout every morning and it works out most of the pains. I'm unable to workout as strenuous as I would like as I'm scheduled for bladder surgery next month but hope to pick up my tennis after more than a year off. The dog gets walked 2 times a day no matter the weather and getting outside is always good. My motto is motion is the lotion. Keep active and it will help with a healthy life.

[Alfisti]

I'm 45 and have slowly, slowly, slowly gained a lot of weight over 15 years, just crept up. In 4 months I have dropped 30 pounds but it is a slog, body feeling the difference though. Right now my knees seem to be complaining a bit, they feel sorta stiff, like I am unfolding them when i start walking.

[Murf the Surf]

I'll be 61 next month, I always exercised by was also hard on my body with lots of injuries. I have started using a rowing machine for low impact but pretty full body work outs. Stretching in your friend, my knees and lower back are my primary areas of discomfort. I do 5 minutes of leg and lower back stretching most days and it has made a significant improvement. I also take Glucosamine daily and I think it helps. Bad days I use Voltaran or A535 on me knees and back. Oh, and the hot tub is great for my lower back and knees.

[Alfisti]

Big fan of the rowing machine, can set it really easy to loosen up or just push for cardio and as you wick it up it gets very difficult. No impact on your body either.