“I Used to Be Able To…”
Why Fitness Feels Harder in Your 40s and 50s – and How to Reverse It
“I used to be able to do this without thinking.”
“I used to be fitter than this.”
“I used to recover quicker.”
That phrase comes up a lot.
Not as a complaint. More as a quiet realisation that something has shifted. Most people don’t say it dramatically. They say it with a shrug, as if it’s just part of getting older.
From our side as coaches, it’s one of the biggest warning signs that someone has started to accept decline that doesn’t actually need to happen.
Why everything feels harder now
If you’re in your late 40s or 50s and fitness feels tougher than it used to, there are reasons for that. But they’re not the ones most people assume.
What we commonly see is a combination of:
- Reduced strength reserve – You’re closer to your maximum effort for everyday tasks.
- Loss of power – Movements feel slower and more effortful.
- Lower tolerance to fatigue – Because training has become inconsistent or very stop-start.
- Less confidence in movement – Often driven by past niggles or fear of injury.
The important point here is this: It’s not that your body can’t do it anymore. It’s that your margin for error has shrunk.
When strength and power drop, everyday life feels heavier. Carrying shopping, getting up from the floor, rushing for something, or even long walks start to feel draining.
That’s usually when people say, “I’m just getting older.”