Gymmer or non-gymmer?

No thanks! Signed up years ago for one and hid in the corner on a bike! Hot, sweaty, music too loud.

I'd rather run around playing badminton for 2 1/2 hours which I do every Monday. We regularly walk 3/4 miles as well and that's enough for me. But fully appreciate that for some people it's an absolute devotion!

I’ve been going for a few months, as injuries and arthritis have stopped me doing my customary exercise and I was concerned that both my fitness and my balance would deteriorate. I did a course designed for people with joint problems, and the group I was in have continued to meet a couple of times a week. I also go to classes recommended by my physio (nobody has shouted at me!) and am about to start Pilates. So far, I don’t like any of it as much as exercising outdoors, but it’s better than sitting around seizing up, and I’ve made a few new friends, which is a bonus.

I hated PE at school (asthma) I joined a local gym in October 2000, only to find out it had been started by one of my PE teachers who laughed and said she had so many ex pupils as members,

I have one personal training session a week, along with Callanetics, circuits and a couple of other classes. I cannot imagine giving it up.

I used to go for a while when I was in my 40s and 50s.

However, running on a treadmill, using a rowing machine etc just seems so artificial.
Why pay when you can walk outside in the fresh air?

Yoga, yes.

along with Callanetics

Oh yes, I did that years ago but did something to my hip.
Then Pilates ☹

Years ago I went to exercise classes with the Women's League of Health and Beauty, with my SisIL.
Anyone remember those?

Callistemon21 I think this particular gym has saved my sanity. It’s not full of posers it’s family run, and they actually care about their members.

GrannyGravy13

Callistemon21 I think this particular gym has saved my sanity. It’s not full of posers it’s family run, and they actually care about their members.

I did go when I needed concentrated exercise in a short space of time.

I joined an adult tap dancing class too, not easy when you have two left feet and lack xpco-ordination.

Sadly, can do none of this pro tem.

I refined my ability to avoid gym at school. I’m certainly not going to do it as an adult!

The only exercise I ever enjoyed was ballet, which I adored but not really because of the exercise value. I couldn’t do it now.

I am a gym member. I use the actual gym infrequently - but the pool is truly beautiful and I use that 3 or 4 times a week.

The staff and kind, helpful and welcoming. They are young and enthusiastic but seem to help me and others my age (and older) at least as much as the bright young things.

It's not the sort of gym with many classes - it's quite small and attached to a Hilton but it means I can go swimming whenever the pool is open and the temperature is warmer than the local "council" pool.

The staff know me and are cheery. There's a free coffee/juice bar and towels are provided. I see the same people there regularly and have got to know them as more than "other gym members". The Aqua lot have a monthly lunch together for those who want to do that.

I just swim for about an hour - sometimes use the steam room or jacuzzi but mostly just swim.
I have arthritis and it works for me.

I've been a member of a gym for years, not always the same one. When Covid hit I left it for quite a while. I've only just gone back. My impetus for that, I broke my arm walking on a fairly rough terrain. Before that I often thought there was something quite absurd driving to walk (treadmill) but I've lost some confidence in walking, not on a treadmill. I need to build that confidence up again. Plus I do weight bearing exercises for bone strength and swim mh health club has a pool. I've previously done some yoga classes.

I joined my local Nuffield health gym about a year ago and it's been one of the best things I've ever done - my strength, fitness, stamina and suppleness have all improved massively.
I go a few times a week to the many different classes that are run from 6am to 9pm.
There's a multitude of classes every day that range from chairfit, aqurobics, pilates,yoga and more hard core stuff.
I'm over weight but working on this and have great support from the instructors.
I tend to only use the instructor led classes as they keep me motivated and engaged - I can't stay motivated on a treadmill for 45 minutes 🙈.
I was totally intimidated at first, but I'm by no means the biggest or oldest in any of the classes I attend.
One instructor is 69 and I often chat with other grans during daytime classes.
I highly recommend Nuffield gyms and there helpful, friendly instructors.

I do a Tai Chi course - but not at a gym. Not my thing at all. Walking, Tai Chi and some extra exercises I have devised myself and do at home.

I am definitely not a gym bunny, I joins one once and found it extremely boring.
However, now I’ve hit 70, I’m rethinking and wondering if it would be a ‘good thing’ if I gave it another go.
I play tennis a couple of times a week and enjoy that and am fairly active generally but there is no doubt that I am losing muscle tone.
I don’t want to do anything other than maintain a bit of strength so perhaps I should sign up again.

I use the gym mostly for aquafit, aquarun and swimming. I like the weights machines when it’s a class with the teacher encouraging us or reminding us about changing weights and the recliner bikes, where I can read and cycle. Best of all is meeting for coffee afterwards.
Tai chi in the park is good in the summer. Not sure if the fitness isn’t actually achieved by walking half a mile up a steep hill to the meeting place.

I’m a member of our local leisure centre- £40 a month and you can swim, do as many classes as you like , use the gym whenever. I go at least 3 times a week, so it’s good value for me. I do yoga, pilates, one class where you bounce around on exercise balls and Zumba. It’s definitely helped my strength, stability and wellbeing. Lots of oldies in the daytime.

I’ll be off to the gym this morning at 7am. A run on a treadmill - safer than outdoors on rough surfaces or soggy ground. Then stretches and /or some weight bearing exercises. At 72 I’m trying to keep as fit and healthy as I can while I can. It doesn’t matter to me what I look like or what other people look like. I pay my monthly fee and the gym is mine to use how I wish.

There is no need to sign up for a gym or buy expensive equipment. You can exercise at home and improvise with what you already have in the house. Of course, attending regularly can help with motivation, if you don't have the discipline to keep going.
Gyms are also unhealthy places (!)...as there is a lot of bacteria which builds up in a confined space.

There's something new at our gym called Pickleball that everyone raves about. I have no idea what it is, but it sounds a bit of a jarring exercise for my creeky body?

I have tried a couple of times, but honestly not keen. The swimming pool is ok at a push, but there is nothing else I like.

I so much prefer being out of doors in the fresh air, where I can get my exercise whilst enjoying everything around me.

The gym is my happy place. I am a member of a privately run gym which is friendly and welcoming. During lockdown my personal trainer set up separately, I still see him weekly (15 years now), he keeps me motivated and I feel confident in my exercise routine.
I was never sporty at school, hopeless at team sports.
I want to keep my body fit and active for as long as I can. I have my own little routines which I do every day eg balance on one foot when I am cleaning my teeth, stand up from the floor without support. My motto is use it or lose it.

I've never fancied it. All those sweaty bodies and scantily clad bums on equipment, it's reminiscent of the smell of feet in the school gym.

It doesn’t have to be either/or. You can go to a gym and still enjoy walking and being outdoors. The key thing is to keep moving. So I balance on 1 leg when heating my porridge in the microwave and when cleaning my teeth. I’ll do a squat while the kettle is boiling etc. Modern gyms aren’t sweaty and smelly and if you’re fully engaged in exercise you don’t care about how others look or dress.

I started at a gym 2 years ago really to build up some strength in my arms so if ever I fell over I could get up. I was so nervous but I booked a trainer and now I really enjoy it. I have lost weight annd changed body shape and I love seeing the weight I lift going up . There’s such a mixture of people there all ages sizes no one takes any notice and I can go whatever time I like.Evenings are really busy so I go in the day. I don’t do classes although I did try yoga and Pilates but they are not for me . Lots of people say to me I hate the gym , but if you give it a try and tailor it to what you enjoy it’s a nice healthy hobby.

Read the title and thought the thread was going to be about Jabborworky!

I have just joined a local Gym on a Joint Pain Management programme, and we can use all the facilities incl the pool.
I now know what exercises to do to help my “bad” knee and am finding i feel really good after an hour or so there, so will keep going. Didn’t think I would like it>