"I no longer need luxury cars to prove anything," he stated. For Rajesh, cycling for four hours straight is now how he demonstrates his strength.
His wife, Priya Menon, also abandoned leisurely afternoon tea sessions to join yoga and CrossFit classes. Her goal is not just to prevent back pain and knee fatigue, but also to gain the strength for pull-ups and lifting 50 kg weights – feats she never considered in her youth.
High-intensity training is becoming a common remedy for the midlife crisis in India and many other countries. This is a stage where people aged 40-50 often feel stagnant in their careers, anxious about aging, and experiencing declining health and appearance. Instead of seeking validation through material possessions, they choose to sweat it out to regain confidence.
In major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, the number of middle-aged individuals exercising has surged. Upscale gyms report a 40% increase in members aged 35-50 over the past five years. In marathon events, 60% of athletes are middle-aged. Functional training, HIIT, and power yoga classes are consistently full during early mornings and late evenings, popular times for working professionals.
A trainer in Bengaluru shared that his 48-year-old client, who once smoked 20 cigarettes daily, is now training for a 100 km ultra marathon.
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Athletes participate in the Mumbai Marathon, 2024. Photo: India Times |
According to doctor Anjali Sharma, a clinical psychologist in Delhi, tangible training results help middle-aged individuals feel stable during a turbulent period. "When work or marriage feels beyond their control, health, muscles, and running achievements are concrete things they can measure and master," she observed.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) MIDUS survey also indicated that while 10-20% of middle-aged people experience feelings of disorientation and anxiety, those who maintain physical activity can reduce negative symptoms by up to 50% thanks to endorphins and a sense of accomplishment.
Sarah Williams, 44, living in London, is a prime example. After her divorce and raising two children alone, she found herself in a tiring routine: taking children to school, working at the bank, cooking, and sleeping. Looking in the mirror, she saw a woman with graying hair, dark circles under her eyes, and a bulging stomach. "Have I run out of chances to be loved?" she wondered.
The turning point came when Sarah enrolled in a hot yoga class. For the first time in 15 years, she sweated for herself. "That feeling showed me my body was still strong," she said.
From yoga, Sarah transitioned to learning pull-ups and trail running. After two years, this office worker completed a 100 km race in the Sahara Desert in 50 degrees C heat and conquered the 89 km Comrades Marathon in South Africa.
"The midlife crisis is no longer a sign of loss but an opportunity for a fresh start. Sports helped me find myself again," Sarah shared.
However, experts also warn about the downsides of this trend. Cardiologists in Hyderabad, India, have noted an increase in injuries such as muscle tears, Achilles tendonitis, and even strokes in this age group due to overtraining without medical check-ups. The advice given is that a 45-year-old body cannot recover as quickly as a 25-year-old body; therefore, rediscovering oneself must be accompanied by listening to one's body.
Ngoc Ngan (According to The Hindu)
