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🏃‍♂️ Why Your Joints Hurt—And How to Train Smarter Over 40

PLUS: Use Your Weekends to Win Your Week

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 your joints hurt—and how to train smarter over 40

  • Pro Tip: Use your weekends to win your week

  • Question from Our Readers: “I don’t have time to cook—what’s the best fast food option?”

  • Fit Trivia: What was the first video game to feature a fitness or exercise mini-game?

Why Your Joints Hurt—And How to Train Smarter Over 40

Aches and pains in your knees, shoulders, or elbows? It’s not just aging—it’s often how you're training.

Here’s what we see most often with men over 40:

  • Too much volume, not enough control: Chasing PRs with sloppy form = inflammation city.

  • Neglecting mobility and warm-ups: Your body needs prep time now.

  • Ignoring unilateral imbalances: Over time, they cause compensations and joint pain.

The fix? Start with:

  • 10-minute dynamic warm-ups

  • Strengthen stabilizers: think split squats, rows, face pulls

  • Ditch ego lifts—form always beats weight

  • Rotate exercises: joints love variety

Train like a pro: smarter, not harder. Your joints will thank you.

FROM RYAN’S DESK

You can lie to others, but you can’t lie to yourself. Hold yourself accountable to the standards you say you want. Track your actions, own your results, fix what needs fixing. Be the guy who takes responsibility. That’s when everything changes.

Pro Tip: Use Your Weekends to Win Your Week

If you’re busy during the week, the weekend is where you can take back control.

Here’s how high-performers over 40 use their weekends:

  • Batch cook 2–3 meals so you’re not stuck guessing or grabbing junk food.

  • Plan your workouts into your calendar—same as meetings.

  • Prep a “grab-and-go” station with protein bars, almonds, or shakes.

  • Use one hour to set goals, reflect, and course-correct.

One solid Sunday sets the tone for five days of momentum.

Question from Our Readers:

“I’m on the road a lot and barely have time to cook. What’s the healthiest fast food option when I’m in a pinch?”

— Carlos, 46, from Las Vegas

Great question, Carlos—and you’re not alone.

Look for these winning combos:

  • Grilled chicken sandwich (no sauce, no bun) + side salad or fruit

  • Chipotle-style bowl with double protein, beans, veggies, salsa—skip sour cream and cheese

  • Egg white bites or protein boxes from Starbucks

  • Wendy’s chili + side of grilled nuggets

  • Bunless burger with a lettuce wrap and apple slices

The key: prioritize protein + fiber and keep fats moderate. Always ask for sauces/dressings on the side.

Fit Trivia: What was the first video game to include an exercise or fitness mini-game?

Answer: Track & Field (1983)! This arcade classic let players sprint, jump, and throw—by rapidly tapping buttons, simulating athletic movements. It kicked off a wave of fitness-inspired games long before Wii Fit and Ring Fit Adventure became popular.

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.

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Publisher: Ryan Engel

Editor: Michael Pender

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