This is not your father's Oldsmobile. Remember this amusing but truthful marketing campaign produced by General Motors? In some ways, this adage applies to learning a new sport at midlife: while it is certainly fun and often incredibly rewarding, taking up a new physical challenge later in life is not the same as when you were a kid. To prevent finding yourself sidelined before you've even hit your stride, and to ensure you really have fun with your new sport, keep these pointers in mind.
Keep your fitness levels in mind. Although your sense of fun, adventure, and enthusiasm may be at the same level as when you were a kid—after all, trying something new is exciting on many different levels—you should keep your own personal fitness levels in mind. While you may have hiked for miles as a kid, tackling a 4,000-foot mountain when you haven't hiked in years probably isn't a great idea. Instead, in order to prevent injury or burnout, start small. Take baby steps, and build up to the 4,000-footer. Setting goals is always a good strategy, but many midlifers, in their rush to master or simply enjoy a new activity, forget to do the legwork. You wouldn't walk out your door and run a marathon without training for months, and you should apply the same principles to your new sport.
Take the time to do some research. Talk to other friends, neighbors, or family members who may have tried your sport, and learn from their mistakes. Take some time to understand what's expected at the most basic level, and go from there. Anyone heading out for a fall hike, for instance, should wear good footgear, carry water, and take along a map. Yet it's not uncommon to read about hikers who either show up unprepared, or get lost and are not prepared to find their way safely home. The old Boy Scout adage—"Be prepared"—absolutely applies.
Don't rush out and purchase equipment. Make sure you really want to commit to the sport before you invest too much money. There's no need to buy brand new skis and boots before you've taken a ski lesson; instead, consider renting at the ski mountain for a season or two, leasing (an increasingly popular option), buying used equipment at a yard sale or swap meet (be sure to check the safety of any older equipment), or even borrowing equipment, supplies, or clothing from friends or neighbors.
At the same time, however, the people who work at specialized sporting goods stores can be a rich source of information. Increasingly, outdoor- and sport-oriented retailers are interested in offering the experience as well as the equipment. Many such stores offer lessons, clinics, seminars, and on-the-spot experts for answering your questions and providing detailed information. Take advantage of these resources (some of them are free) as part of your research process.
Consider the sport you're interested in carefully. Some sports, such as horseback riding or road biking, can be very expensive if you want or need top-notch equipment. Hiking, on the other hand, is a relatively easy sport to take up without a large investment (good boots, a backpack, map, water bottle, etc.)
Consider the reason for your new interest. Are you looking for new ways to connect as a family? Sometimes learning or experiencing something new as a group is more fun than learning alone. Other times, you want a new sport that will let you escape, relieve stress, or pursue your own interests. Think about your choice before you commit in order to make the right choice for your personality, time allowance, and budget.
Have fun! Learning new things should always be fun, not a burden or chore. If your new sport takes up too much time, this may cause stress in your family life instead of relief. Don't be afraid to admit you made a mistake, and instead try something different. And remember — keeping your muscles challenged is good for your entire body, and being physical can help you stay young at any age.
