Discover why traditional fitness programs are failing people over 40—and what actually works when your hormones shift, joints ache, and recovery slows down.
If you’re over 40 and have ever walked into a gym or scrolled through fitness content, you may have felt invisible. The fitness industry is overwhelmingly focused on young adults chasing aesthetics—six-pack abs, muscle mass, and high-intensity workouts that often don’t suit an aging body.
But here’s the truth: when hormones shift, joints ache, and recovery slows, the old “push harder, train longer” mentality doesn’t work anymore. The mainstream fitness industry is failing millions of people over 40 by ignoring the unique physical and hormonal changes that come with age.
In this article, I’ll explain why this is happening, what you actually need to thrive after 40, and how my Train Like Rob Method is designed specifically to support people like you.
Most fitness programs glorify “beast mode” mentality—high-intensity, no-pain-no-gain workouts. But if you’re over 40, this can backfire badly.
Why it fails:
What you need instead:
If you want to dive deeper into how consistent, structured training helps prevent injury and improve longevity, check out my blog:
Strength Training in Vancouver: The Key to Long-Term Fat Loss and Functional Fitness.
The fitness industry loves generic “30-day challenges” and cookie-cutter boot camps, but they rarely address the complexities of an aging body.
Common problems ignored:
What works instead:
To see how personalized coaching benefits you more than a one-size-fits-all approach, read about the differences between:
Online Personal Training vs In-Person Coaching.
Once you hit 40, your hormones shift in ways that can dramatically impact your fitness progress:
Unfortunately, many fitness coaches never ask about your hormones or suggest lab testing. Without this info, your program can’t be truly personalized.
What works:
Learn more about how tailored coaching can help you with these challenges through my coaching services page:
Online Coaching.
“Eat less, move more” is outdated advice, especially for people over 40.
Why this doesn’t work anymore:
What works instead:
I cover these nutrition principles as part of my coaching packages, learn more here:
Personal Training & Nutrition Coaching.
Instagram fitness culture glorifies “shredded” physiques and unrealistic aesthetics. This creates pressure and discourages many people over 40 who want something different:
Fitness should focus on function, longevity, and vitality—not just looks.
✔️ Strength training with joint care and injury prevention
✔️ Sleep and stress management support
✔️ Hormone-aware nutrition and supplementation
✔️ Lab-guided health insights to customize programming
✔️ Prioritizing movement quality over quantity
If you want to see how this is applied in real life, check out the differences between In-Person Personal Training and Online Coaching, and why many people combine both for the best results.
I require all in-person clients to train at least 2 times per week (8 sessions per month) to ensure consistency and meaningful results. This commitment also grants you free access to online programming, meal planning, and messaging support between sessions.
Training less than this requires shifting to a hybrid plan — one-on-one coaching plus programming for an additional $200/month.
Learn more about the benefits of consistent in-person coaching in my blog:
Online Personal Training vs In-Person Coaching.
Love your training? Share the gift of fitness and get rewarded! You can earn between $150 to $300 credit depending on the package your referral signs up for. Simply have them mention your name when they join.
If you’re over 40 and feel ignored by the fitness industry, it’s not you — the system simply wasn’t built for your changing body.
It’s time to switch to a smarter, science-driven, holistic approach that respects your hormones, joints, and lifestyle.
That’s exactly what the Train Like Rob Method offers.
👉 Ready to get started? Book your free consultation today and let’s build a plan that works for YOU.
Best Personal Trainer In Vancouver — Why Train Like Rob Is Leading The Pack In 2025 - Vancouver Personal Trainer | Train Like Rob says:
[…] Vancouver’s a fitness-driven city. Between seawall joggers, boutique yoga studios, and luxury gyms, the choices are endless — and confusing. But while the industry sells image and hype, most programs fail to deliver lasting results. Here’s why the fitness industry is failing people over 40. […]