I made that statement based on 19 months of my gym operating, 30 years lifting and working in gyms. I have no doubt that somewhere someone started at 40 and is doing really well, but for everyone over 40 that started late there are thousands that started in their 20's that are killing it in their advanced years.
From the 20 odd 40yo + clients, only James is still lifting. I didnt include the stack of 30 somethings who have quit.
Yesterday I recievedan email from my first client, that she wouldnt be training any more. She is obese and she gave it a go, she is 35, her son is 17. He is 170cm and 119kg, really obese.
These 2 detest hard work and discipline. He got quite strong on the bench, hated squatting and KB work. She trained well and ate what she liked.Eighteen months on she hasnt lost a gram.
It is far easier to stay lifting in your 40's than it is too start at 40. I would love my 40+ to still be lifting, business aside, it makes me feel good, sadly its not the case.
I got emails from clients on that list, they still read the newsletters, not one disagreed with me, I hit the nail on the head.
You see, they associate with friends who love to drink and eat crap, not doing so made them feel like leppers, simple as that. They need to change their friends and lifestyle.
Very very few people do that in their 40's.