Started swimming at 45, started climbing at 50 — is it too late, or exactly on time? Regular exercise past midlife is linked to better bone density, steadier hormone levels, and measurably lower rates of depression and cognitive decline, but starting something new also means new injury risk, slower recovery, and being the beginner in a room of twenty-somethings. Some people find the late start actually helps — no burnout from doing it since childhood, no ego about being bad at it yet. What sport did you pick up later than you "should have," and would you tell your younger self to start sooner?
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Started climbing at 47. Worst in the gym, happiest in the gym.
Swimming at 50. Nobody looks at you in a pool, it's brilliant.