Why Women Over 40 Are Finally Putting Themselves First
What three decades of training women has taught me about aging, strength, and starting over
At 58, my client started running. She had always hesitated, thinking her knees would give way. After six months of training, she now runs for an hour three times a week.
She's not alone.
A 76-year-old who had lost confidence in walking now takes day excursions with friends.
A 42-year-old came with work-related pain; three years later, she's working more than ever, pain-free.
A 52-year-old with postural concerns amazed herself - not just with the strength she built, but with the confidence and energy it brought to every aspect of her life.
The Shift I’ve Witnessed
These aren't exceptions. In the last three decades, I've witnessed a fundamental shift in how women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond approach aging: actively and on their terms. This change extends across generations - daughters encouraging mothers, younger women bringing older relatives to the studio, creating a legacy of strength rather than limitation.
Women in their 40s and 50s have spent years juggling roles, expectations, and responsibilities. While these demands rarely decrease, something fundamental shifts: a growing clarity about what matters. There's less concern about meeting others' expectations and more focus on what makes them feel strong, capable, and alive.
They’re ready to put themselves first - without guilt. These women bring wisdom, hindsight, and confidence from past experiences that make their fitness journeys more purposeful and sustainable. They understand their bodies. They set realistic goals. They don’t fall for quick fixes.
One client told me:
“I’ve spent 20 years making sure everyone else was taken care of. This is the first time I’ve asked what MY body needs.”
What’s Driving This Change
Along with this self-awareness comes something equally powerful: community. Women are building support systems where they share not just victories but honest conversations about physical changes, limitations, and concerns that only others in this life stage truly understand.
This camaraderie - born from shared experience - creates accountability and encouragement that goes beyond what any program alone can provide.
What motivates this commitment varies: a doctor's recommendation about bone density, the desire to travel, the goal of keeping up with grandchildren, or simply the wish to move through daily life feeling energized and capable. Whatever the catalyst, the underlying drive is the same - reclaiming control over their bodies and their futures.
What Actually Works (And What Doesn’t)
But commitment alone isn't enough – how you approach fitness matters just as much. Template workouts can't account for your body's history, current capabilities, or specific goals.
Finding guidance that recognizes your unique starting point is essential. Look for instructors who understand that effective training builds gradually, not dramatically - and who customize their approach to your unique body and circumstances.
Social media showcases drastic transformations, extreme challenges, and trending workouts - but these can be misleading.
Real progress is more personal: the sustained energy throughout your day, mornings without lower back pain, the ability to run regularly without fear or injury. These are the changes that reshape daily life.
To Every Woman Who’s Been Waiting
To the women who have been hesitating, waiting for the ‘right’ time: here's what I've learned watching hundreds of women begin.
There is no perfect time. The plan to start when you're less busy, less stressed, or in shape to get in better shape will always remain just out of reach.
Your body right now - with its history, capabilities, and limitations - is enough to begin.
The question isn't whether you can; it's what you'll discover about your strength, resilience, and capacity when you finally do.
One client said it best:
“I’m not trying to get back to anything. I’m discovering what I’m capable of NOW.”
The women I've described - the 58-year-old runner, the 76-year-old regaining confidence—they all had someone who encouraged them to begin. Be that person for someone else.
Pass This Along
The women in this post all had someone who encouraged them to begin. If this message spoke to you, share it with someone who has been hesitating to put themselves first.
Anjali Sareen has been in the fitness, rehab, and movement field for over 30 years. Read more about Anjali and her team’s approach to fitness and movement.
Women’s Wellness, Fitness Over 40, Pilates, Sustainable Fitness, Inspiration, Client Stories, Pilates Strength Training