Learning New Physical Skills as We Age

When was the last time you learned how to do something physically new?

Not something you already know how to do a little better — something that actually made you feel like a beginner.

Maybe it was pickleball, kayaking, dancing, yoga, swimming, hiking, strength training or simply learning a new balance exercise.

As we get older, it can be tempting to stick with what we already know.

But learning new physical skills can be valuable for both the body and the brain.

Your body is still capable of learning.

Yes, our bodies change with age. Strength, balance, flexibility, reaction time and recovery can change too.

But aging doesn't mean we should stop challenging ourselves.

Learning a new movement asks your brain and body to work together. You have to pay attention, coordinate your movements, make adjustments and repeat the skill until it begins to feel more natural.

You're not simply exercising. You're learning.

Being a beginner is good for your brain.

Think about what happens when you try a new dance step.

At first, you're thinking about everything.

Which foot moves first?

Where does my weight go?

What are my arms supposed to be doing?

Then you practice.

Eventually, something that required intense concentration begins to feel more automatic.

That process is possible because the brain retains an ability to adapt and learn throughout life.

New skills can also challenge balance and coordination.

Walking the same route every day is good physical activity, but your body becomes very efficient at familiar movements.

Learning something new creates a different challenge.

A new exercise, hiking on uneven terrain, learning Tai Chi, trying a different swimming stroke or practicing a new balance pattern may require your brain to process information and your body to respond in unfamiliar ways.

That's an important part of maintaining physical capability.

Then there's confidence.

There's something powerful about realizing:

"I didn't think I could do that — but I just did."

As we age, the world can start sending a very different message.

Be careful.

Don't fall.

Don't hurt yourself.

Maybe you're too old for that.

Certainly, some activities need to be modified for injuries, medical conditions or changes in physical ability. Challenging yourself doesn't mean ignoring common sense.

But there's a difference between being appropriately cautious and gradually becoming afraid to try anything new.

Physical confidence matters.

When we stop using certain abilities, our world can slowly become smaller.

We stop getting down on the ground because getting back up is difficult.

We avoid uneven trails because our balance isn't as good.

We stop lifting things because we don't feel strong.

Eventually, avoiding physical challenges can contribute to losing the very abilities we're trying to protect.

The answer isn't reckless activity.

It's appropriate challenge.

Start where you are.

Learn from someone who can teach you proper technique. Modify when necessary. Give yourself time to improve. Expect to feel awkward in the beginning.

Most importantly, allow yourself to be a beginner.

You don't have to be good at everything you try.

You just have to be willing to keep learning.

Growing older doesn't have to mean doing less and less.

It can also mean discovering new ways to move, new things you're capable of doing and new reasons to stay strong.

Your body needs challenge.

Your brain needs challenge.

And sometimes the best exercise isn't simply another workout.

It's learning something new.

TotalFit Solutions

Mind + Body