What No One Tells You About Staying Active in Your 50s, 60s, and Beyond

Spoiler: You don’t need to run marathons or join a boot camp to stay strong and feel good.

Staying active as we age doesn’t mean pushing ourselves to extremes or following trends meant for twentysomethings. The truth? Being active in your 50s, 60s, and beyond is all about feeling good, maintaining energy, and enjoying life. It’s about listening to your body, finding what moves you—literally—and letting go of outdated myths.

Let’s bust a few of those myths right now:

Myth #1: You need intense workouts to stay healthy.

Not true. Moderate movement done consistently does wonders for your strength, balance, and mobility. Think less boot camp, more bocce ball.

Myth #2: If it’s not exercise, it doesn’t count.

Also false. Walking the dog, pulling weeds in the garden, dancing in your kitchen—these all keep your body in motion and your mind in a great place.

Myth #3: It’s too late to start.

Never. Your body responds to movement at any age. In fact, many people discover new passions for activity in their later years, without the pressure of performance.

So what does work?

Movement That Feels Fun, Not Forced

Let’s be honest—no one gets excited about movement that feels like a chore. The key to staying active in your 50s, 60s, and beyond isn’t discipline or willpower. It’s enjoyment. When movement feels like play, not punishment, you’re more likely to stick with it and actually look forward to it. Here are some of the top feel-good ways to stay active—no gym membership or sweat-drenched workouts required:

Pickleball – This isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement. Pickleball combines the best parts of tennis, badminton, and ping pong into a fast-paced, low-impact game that’s easy to learn (and addictive). It’s social, it gets your heart rate up, and it’s one of the most accessible sports for all fitness levels. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to join a league, pickleball makes movement a joy.

Swimming – One of the best full-body exercises out there, swimming is gentle on the joints while still being incredibly effective for building strength, endurance, and flexibility. Whether you’re doing laps or simply enjoying a leisurely float, being in the water is both refreshing and restorative.

Gardening – Yes, gardening counts! Digging, planting, weeding, and watering all engage your muscles and improve balance and coordination. It also helps reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and keep you connected to nature. Plus, you get the joy of watching something grow—sometimes even dinner!

Walking Your Dog – Don’t underestimate the power of a brisk stroll with your furry family member. It gets your body moving, provides a daily routine, and lifts your mood. Even short walks can add up over time, benefiting both your heart and your mind.

Lawn Games & Leisure Sports – Bocce ball, ring toss, cornhole—these may sound like backyard pastimes, but they’re also fantastic ways to stay active and socially connected. They’re fun, low-impact, and perfect for friendly competition with neighbors or family. 

E-Biking & Exploring – Electric bikes are a game-changer. You get to pedal and stay active, but with just enough assistance to go further, longer, and with less strain. E-biking makes it easier to explore local trails, run errands, or just enjoy the breeze without worrying about hills or fatigue.

High-end, 55+ communities, like Anindell in Folsom, California, are changing the game when it comes to active living. Residents and their guests enjoy complimentary access to gear like paddle boards, e-bikes & helmets, pickleball kits, and lawn games like bocce ball, ring toss, and cornhole. No need to buy expensive equipment or find room to store it – just borrow what you need, when you need it, and get moving.

At the end of the day, being active isn’t about how fast you move—it’s about how good you feel while doing it. Whether you’re swinging a paddle, pulling weeds, or laughing through a lawn game, you’re doing something powerful for your body and your spirit.