You bend down to tie your shoes or climb a short flight of stairs, and suddenly your legs feel heavier than they used to. For many people over 60, this creeping weakness doesn’t happen overnight—it builds slowly, until one day you realize you can’t move as easily as you once did. The good news? By uncovering the hidden reasons behind weaker legs, you can take simple steps to support strength, mobility, and independence.

Leg weakness isn’t just inconvenient—it can change your entire lifestyle. As your legs lose strength, balance becomes harder to maintain, falls become more likely, and activities you love may feel out of reach. According to research from the CDC, one in four adults over 65 experiences a fall each year, often linked to muscle weakness. Beyond safety risks, weaker legs can reduce confidence and lead to less activity, which ironically speeds up the decline.

What’s often overlooked is that leg weakness isn’t always about age alone. It’s a combination of factors—some surprising—that quietly wear down your strength. Understanding them gives you the power to make small changes today that may help you stay active tomorrow. Let’s count down six under-recognized reasons your legs may be weakening after 60.

Muscle Loss (Sarcopenia): Around age 50, your body naturally begins losing 1–2% of muscle each year, a process called sarcopenia. This means that even if your weight hasn’t changed, your muscle mass may have shrunk significantly, leaving your legs less able to support you. Mini-hook: The silver lining? Studies suggest resistance training, even with light weights, can slow or reverse this decline.