The 4 daily exercises you should be doing in your 40s and beyond.

Thanks to our brand partner, Caltrate

If there's one group of women truly having a moment right now, it's those in midlife and beyond.

The old saying, "life begins at 40" has never felt more accurate. As a proud member of the 40-plus club, I can confirm that life on the other side of 40 is filled with plenty of good things.

But it's also full of change — changes to your body, your mind and even your bank balance (especially if you've got teenagers underfoot).

Joint health and mobility can particularly become important factors as we progress through different life stages. Thankfully, there are many ways to support our amazing bodies and keep us grooving well into middle age and beyond.

Support areas that need it most.

It's that soft cracking sound when you stand up after too long at your desk. That little groan as you lower yourself into bed after a busy day. Unfortunately, age can take a toll on our joints and bones.

Caltrate Joint Health is one option to support joint health and healthy cartilage recovery. This daily mini-tablet has also been shown to improve joint mobility, with 90 per cent of users reporting a reduction in mild joint discomfort after use for 90 days.

It includes UC-II collagen®, and unlike the more commonly known hydrolysed collagen, UC-II® is made using a patented process that works with the body's natural processes to help enhance joint function and ease mild discomfort.

Skip the fancy equipment.

Bodyweight exercises like lunges, squats, push-ups and planks are a simple and accessible way to incorporate light resistance training into your day — no special equipment needed.

By integrating even 10 to 15 minutes of daily bodyweight exercises we can help our bodies to build muscle, improve our balance and flexibility (both key to healthy ageing) and generally improve our overall health.

Bodyweight exercises can also be completely modified to suit the specific needs of the participant.

Got an injured shoulder? No problem. Modify push-ups by using a bench, chair or even the side of your bed. This effective adjustment lets you exercise without straining tender joints, ligaments or muscles.

Do the balancing act.

I won't lie — I have a terrible sense of balance. I often joke with my partner that I can barely walk in a straight line or stand on one foot. But I'm constantly working on it because I know how important good balance becomes as we reach mid-life.

Maintaining good balance can directly impact our ability to stay mobile and keep our bodies moving. Poor balance has been shown to increase the likelihood of things like falls and other injuries which can have a direct impact on our lives as we age.

Integrating some balance training into your day can be as easy as adding some single leg stands and leg raises (supported by a wall or chair if needed) and heel to toe rocks to your exercise regime. More advanced options like lunges, single leg squats and toe taps are also a great addition.

Pound the pavement.

Walking, even at a leisurely pace, is consistently proven to be one of the best forms of exercise for bone strength, heart and cardiovascular health, overall fitness and mental wellbeing.

It's low-impact and easily accessible, and adding a 10 to 20 minute walk in daily is an easy way to keep your body moving.

Enjoy longer or faster walks? Even better! A more intense walk has been shown to have a myriad of health benefits that last long after you've gotten home and hit the shower.

Try resistance training.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about the benefits of resistance training — especially for women over 40.

Stepping up from bodyweight exercises to training with actual weights helps maintain muscle, flexibility and balance. It also helps preserve muscle mass and bone density, which often decline in peri-menopausal and menopausal women.

The best part? It doesn't need to be done in a gym! Weight training using hand-weights at home is a great way of integrating resistance training into your life, without the need for a gym membership, or dare we say it, so much as a pair of tights!

Shop Caltrate Joint Health to support your overall joint health in one daily tablet.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

90 per cent of users reported a reduction in mild joint discomfort after taking Caltrate Joint Health for 90 days, according to Caltrate Joint Health Real World Study, 2023. IQVIA. Commissioned by Haleon. For information call 1800 028 533.

Feature Image: Instagram/naomifoxall.

Now there is an easy way to support your overall joint health in one mini tablet per day! Caltrate Joint Health is scientifically designed with high quality ingredients, including UC-II® Collagen which helps enhance healthy joint function, to help keep you moving. Available from leading supermarkets and pharmacies nationally. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.