1. Training is just for the Pros
This idea applies only in the case of performance sports. The qualities required for professional sports; reaction time, speed, skill, power, strength, etc. can only be developed, they can't be formed by training. As long as the aim of a regular person is not optimal performance, almost all sports can be practiced for keeping the body in a good shape. By using Gradual Progressive Overload (GPO) in the training you chose, you can insure that the benefits of the exercise are bigger than wear and tear on your body.
2. Training is exhausting
When done correctly this is true as long as it refers to consuming all your energy; i.e. Muscle and Liver Glycogen, but it doesn't mean that training gets you into that state of exhaustion which would slow down the rest of your day and the recovery processes of the body. The purpose of training is to make it efficient and effective. The goal of any training is to supply the stimuli needed to cause the body to change and move from a homeostatic state to one of change.
3. Training takes too much time
Once again, nobody is asking you to devote 2-3 hours a day and all your resources to training (that is unless you plan on making it into the NFL,) but short and intense can yield major health and fitness benefits. In as little as 20-minutes of training (if done correctly working major muscle groups using compound movements that focus on multiple muscles being used to stimulate the entire body,) you can realize major dividends when it comes to your quest for body transformation. Anyway, regular training shouldn't take longer than an hour. After an hour of training your body reaches a point of diminishing return and your body is thrown into a catabolic state and your body releases the body's stress hormone cortisol.
4. Any type of training will suffice
While it is true that some exercise is better than no exercise at all, the body must be stimulated in ways that will create a balance. Going into the gym and only working on chest by performing the bench press, will lead to a muscular imbalance and can lead to a host of problems with balance, connective tissues and other structural defects. There needs to be a healthy balance of resistance training, cardiovascular training, and flexibility training in order to achieve a holistic state of fitness. Having a set of six pack abs, but having coronary artery disease due to a lack of cardio is not a good thing.
5. You're too old to train
No more training... This is only a true statement if we are referring to incredibly demanding and intense (near maximal) effort. if we refer to extremely demanding efforts (i.e. lifting weights for 1-2 rep maximums, sprinting to 100% full out effort, etc.) Many exercises can be adapted to different ages, skill levels and levels of fitness. The major goal for older exercisers should be the development functional fitness patterns and movements that will assist with daily activities and add to the quality of life. With the goal being functional fitness and not engaging in competition activities, the exercise can be organized gradually based on its level of difficulty, thus eliminating the risk of injury.
Just as the Christian walk is equated to running a race, fitness training is also a marathon and not a sprint. No matter what the age, exercise and fitness training can be adapted without incident for older people and even for people that currently have contraindications that are specific to old age.
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