Thriving Beyond Fifty (Expanded Edition): 111 Natural Strategies to Restore Your Mobility, Avoid Surgery and Stay Off Pain Pills for Good

by Will Harlow BSc MSx MCSPm Cert. MA

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Rebuild strength, flexibility and confidence through proven exercises to target the causes of aches, pains and strains that come with age.

What if growing older didn’t have to mean growing weaker? If you’ve been told that pain in your back, shoulders or knees is just part of ageing, it’s time to rethink what’s possible. Thriving Beyond Fifty is a warm, expert-led guide to restoring mobility, improving flexibility and building natural strength – using simple exercises you can do at home.

Written by physiotherapist Will Harlow, this book offers 111 safe, targeted stretching and movement routines designed specifically for those over 50 to treat a range of common conditions. Whether you’re managing arthritis, recovering from injury or just feeling stiff from years of sitting, these gentle methods help you feel stronger, more comfortable and more confident in your everyday life.

You’ll discover how
· Address common causes of back, shoulder, neck, hip and knee pain
· Improve your posture, balance and mobility with step-by-step home exercises
· Protect your joints from arthritis and inflammation with smarter movement tips
· Boost your energy and resilience using natural stretching and strengthening routines
· Build a daily practice that supports long-term flexibility, independence and vitality

Thriving Beyond Fifty is more than a fitness book – it’s a compassionate guide to reclaiming your body and re-engaging with the life you love. Whether your goal is to improve your walking, garden without strain or simply get up from the floor with ease, this guide meets you where you are and helps you move forward – one stretch at a time.

This audio product contains a PDF with supporting material, and the PDF is available to download

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Fitness

Audible Audio

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Jason Pettus · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 reads, #18. I don’t have much to say about this book, which is essentially a beginner’s guide to how to stay healthy and agile past the age of fifty, although I will give kudos to Will Harlow for organizing this as a series of hyperspecific subjects (such as “How to Combat Migraines,” “How to Get Rid of Golfer’s Elbow,” “How to Get Relief from Sciatica,” etc.). If you know not even the first thing about topics like the Mediterranean Diet and resistance strength training, this is a great book to start with, but your experience with this book will be less and less impressive based on how much about these subjects you already know.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of his YouTube channel, his workouts are very efficient and much of the other advice is sound. As I get older, I find myself doing more each day just to maintain my body.

Recommended for the older person who wants to maintain or improve their health.

[Margaret Galbraith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m way over 70 but I’ve had chronic pain for 25 plus years. Nothing new in this as like most of these books it’s all been told before. I’ve never had much luck with physiotherapy as one young person told me I had to train my brain to tell my body did not have chronic pain?!? I do understand it’s transmitters from my brain but if one of these specialists could have fibromyalgia pain just one day would they be so blasé about it?

To survive this without medication would be fantastic but as I’m weaning off one of my meds at the moment I can tell you it’s no fun! I’m doing it as per my rheumatologist advice and doing it slowly as I know I cannot just stop it. This one I just found out is causing detrimental issue while taken with another one at bedtime so hopefully my sleep will improve.

Good nutrition and moving is what we all know we need to do but when pain levels are so high I don’t eat nor do I sleep. I do stretching exercises and try to walk a decent length each day even though it’s much easier to just lie in bed. But if you don’t use it you lose it.

[Geetha Chandran · Rating 5 out of 5]

an absolute gem of a book loved everything about it. Going to buy hardcopy for my desk at Work to help my patience. practical interesting and kind. Making exercise and lifestyle choices accessible for everyone audiobook.

[William Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Will! What a great read. Thanks for being so encouraging. I loved reading this book and will use it as a resource/reference . I would recommend this book to everyone… even if you are not yet in your 50’s… start early. God gave us a wonderful amazing body and world to enjoy!

[Ann Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exceptional. My library purchased it for me, but I’m going to have to have my own copy.

[Malia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on Libby. I think I’d like to read the physical copy next time.

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I disovered Will Harlow via his YouTube channel whilst looking for strength exercises for my osteo-arthritic knee. He's a clear, practical and optimistic physiotherapist and I was inspired to read his book.

As the title suggests if you want to thrive beyond age 50 then it is well worth a read. Will Harlow's blend of clinical expertise and his straight forward attitude is the basis of his challenge to the outlook that pain is an inevitable part of getting older.

Thriving Beyond Fifty is built on the positive premise that the human body is remarkably resilient, provided you give it the right inputs. Harlow argues against the wear and tear myth and instead proposes that most age-related decline is actually disuse atrophy disguised as aging.

4/5

[Pj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Simple easy to understand with simple therapy like exercises to loosen stiffness or aches. The author is a professional with the quest of always getting to the root of the problem. Lots of common problems discussed. It had a wholesome vibe....healthy eating, sleeping, less stress, etc.
one star less (for me) just because some parts were overly simple by repeating things with page reference numbers. Some readers might find it helpful!
Overall a great book as none of us are getting younger! ;)
I say the book would even be good for 40 somethings as nothing in the book was 'only 50+' other than explaining how to get off the floor, but most thoughts and techniques should be in your notes-to-self for later!

[Lmarie P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really found this book to be helpful. I found Will Harlow’s Youtube videos when I was having problems with my knees and the physical therapist I had been seeing only made them worse. I’ve ended up watching many of his videos and was helped so much that I ordered his book. I feared it might be a simple rehash of his videos but it contains much more. I read it in three days while doing a lot of underlining and note-taking. I assume he had a small budget for publishing but more photos of exercises would have been really helpful and also, a general full-body workout would have been great. (He has this on one of his Youtube videos, though.)

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a year now I have been reading "Thriving Beyond Fifty" by Will Harlow. I have incorporated some of the exercises in the book into my own exercise routine. (I'm not a dedicated exerciser and if exercise were a religion, I would probably find myself doing leg presses with Al Capone.)

Harlow also has a website in which he shows you 3 exercises per week along with the most recent scientific research in his field, physiotherapy, and overall health for this age group. His delivery is concise and to the point with good screen presence absent of the often encounterd tacky attitude that one sees in these types of videos.

[c m thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I really enjoyed reading the book, as I'd seen a few of Wills videos on Utube, which I found very useful and I've recommended both to friends and family.

[Diane Law]

Very informative and presented in an interesting and practical way.

[Kristen Amen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very helpful book, but I prefer the format of his videos that I watch on YouTube. Excellent information, and very useful and easy to follow.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice discussion of illnesses we seem to have the older we get. I felt it was so interesting to see what can be done to help our body adjust to aging.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful information, all backed by research. This ones a keeper for me. Good to refer to when needed or when I want to change up my exercise routine.

[Janey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the go to person for older people. Easy to read, and sensible exercises. Love his youtube channel too.

[CherylR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good enough. There was really no new information for me.

[Bill Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

On its own, Thriving Beyond Fifty is a treasure chest of varied and valuable advice that guides any interested individual to achieve and maintain increased mobility, strength and endurance. It contains recommendations for addressing pain, injuries, diet, balance, sleep, time management and other aspects of daily living. The book comprises only a part of the wise advice available from Will Harlow; he adds more on YouTube and his weekly email, “Three-Tip Friday”.

The popularity of Thriving Beyond Fifty will probably endure far into the future, as so many of the recommendations are relatively easy to follow and very effective.

Bill Stevens, Ph.D.

[Eileen Breseman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed PT instructions straight from the author himself, though probably better as a book than on audio, so you can refer to the reference guide with each exercise. He is very thorough, working his way up and down the body. Often the problem initiates from a place different than where the pain manifests (experienced this myself - for example: hip issues that begin in the low back region - a pinched nerve or a weakness not addressed to stabilize). I only got about 80% through this book, though good info, I would target certain chapters that are specific to your ailment. He's preaching to the choir in my case. Audio check out went back to the library before I finished.

[👒 Inés 💛🌼💫 · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re in your 40’s … read this book. If you’re in your 30’s read this book

At the ripe old age of 46, I have started implementing some of Will Harlow’s regimes into my daily life, especially “exercise snacks”. I love this concept — which is pretty much, while you’re waiting around (for the kettle to boil, the laundry to finish) you get in as many lunges, squats, one legged balancing, countertop pushups etc. as you can. You will be shocked at the end of the day when you realise you’ve done 35 minutes of pretty intense activity

[Terri Brewster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watch the author Will Harlow on YouTube and his videos are always so helpful and informative. So I was looking forward to his book and it did not disappoint. It will remain on my bookshelf to refer to in the future. Many of his recommendations have helped with my workouts and knowing what exercises to do for pain. I highly recommend.

[Teri Stich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one for my Reference Shelf. I can see referring to it time and time again. The first section gives exercises for many different conditions as well as other healing suggestions. The second half is more general information on health issues, diet, as well as mental health. Well thought out and put together.

[Melanie Wamboldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriving Beyond Fifty is fabulous. I'm not quite 50 but was losing strength and mobility that I'm now getting back with the help of Will Harlow's book and his YouTube channel. I look forward to continuing my independence longer and more self confidently thanks to his knowledge and thoughtfulness in sharing it out to the world.
Will Harlow, if you read this, Thank You!

[Steven Townend · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really good book. It explained in simple terms the causes of pain in the injuries that we sustain and the treatments (including pictures detailing the process) that can overcome the injuries and pain all with the caveat to discuss first with your health care professional. In addition to that there was a lot to do with prevention so as to avoid those older age injuries.

[Sue Trav]

Definitely don't recommend the audio of this one. Lots of exercises explained verbally - would be better seeing the photos and reading the instructions. Will be reading the physical copy of this one down the road.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good Kindle book. I owe it.

[Elaine J Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent- should be compulsory reading for all over 50’s!

[Ronda Canary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 skimmed

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good physiotherapist is the workhorse of recovery. This book was full of great tips to help age well