🤸 Why Mobility Matters More Than You Think After 40

PLUS: Tight Hips Can Make Your Belly Look Bigger

Author

Ryan Engel
February 25, 2026

Welcome to your modern fitness daily news report! Every weekday, we break down the trending fitness news, tips, and insider scoops to keep you informed. Each read will be under 3 minutes so that you can stay shredded and thumb through no-nonsense fit-quips. Thanks for reading!

TODAY’S LEVEL UP:

  • Coach’s Corner: Why mobility matters more than you think after 40

  • Did You Know?: Tight hips can make your belly look bigger

  • Question from Our Readers: “Why do my shoulders ache when I bench?”

  • Fit Trivia: Which 80s TV action star was a Golden Gloves boxing champion before acting?

Why Mobility Matters More Than You Think After 40

Strength gets the spotlight. Mobility keeps you in the game.

After 40, mobility becomes less about flexibility and more about longevity. When hips, shoulders, and thoracic spine lose range of motion, your body compensates. That compensation shows up as joint pain, nagging tweaks, and stalled progress.

Mobility isn’t an hour-long stretching routine. It’s 5–10 minutes of focused work before training. Opening the hips before leg day. Activating the upper back before pressing. Moving joints through full, controlled ranges.

You don’t lose mobility because you age. You lose it because you stop using it.

And when you restore it, strength improves almost immediately.

FROM RYAN’S DESK

Distraction is constant. Focus is chosen. Don’t let every opinion, setback, or temptation pull you off course. Noise drains energy; focus directs it. Be the guy who locks in on what matters. That’s how progress accelerates.

Did You Know?: Tight Hips Can Make Your Belly Look Bigger

Posture changes appearance more than most people realize.

Tight hip flexors tilt the pelvis forward, which:

  • Pushes the stomach outward

  • Compresses the lower back

  • Reduces core engagement

Even lean men can look “softer” with poor pelvic positioning.

Simple hip mobility drills and glute activation can improve posture quickly—and visually tighten the midsection without losing a pound.

Sometimes the fix isn’t fat loss. It’s alignment.

Question from Our Readers

“Why do my shoulders ache when I bench?”

— Chris, 52, from Atlanta

Shoulder discomfort during bench press usually comes from one of three things:

  • Poor upper back engagement

  • Elbows flaring too wide

  • Lack of shoulder mobility

After 40, shoulder positioning matters more than weight lifted. Retracting the shoulder blades, keeping elbows at about a 45-degree angle, and maintaining control on the descent often eliminates strain immediately.

If pain persists, swapping to dumbbells or a neutral grip variation can reduce stress while still building strength. Train smart. Stay durable.

Fit Trivia: Which 80s TV action star was a Golden Gloves boxing champion before becoming famous?

Answer: Mr. T! Before The A-Team, Mr. T was a multi-time Chicago Golden Gloves boxing champion. His physical presence wasn’t just for television—it was earned long before the cameras rolled. Strength always has a backstory.

Ryan Engel, Intl. Fat Loss Coach

Ryan is a leading fitness coach and one of the most known professionals in the space.

He specializes in Body Recomposition and visual body aesthetics and has reached millions worldwide with his powerful messaging. He brings a unique, non-nonsense, yet sophisticated approach to body change.

EXCLUSIVE DEALS FOR OUR READERS

Our Partners:

3M Coaching: Offering Free Consultations for Limited Time Only

__

Publisher: Ryan Engel

Editor: Michael Pender

📧 Need to reach Modern Fitness News?

Get in touch by responding to this email or sending a message directly to our chief editor at [email protected]. We are always on the hunt for good stories!