Gymmer or non-gymmer?

No, I find no attraction either in evening classses gym, or the various sports centres with all their running machines etc.

I do sometimes go to the swimming baths, I dance country dancing once a week, and do my shopping by bike and walk about 7 km once or twice a week, plus do all my own housework, so I am not short of exercise.

I went three times a week to a gym near me until my late seventies when my eyesight deteriorated and I could no longer drive. I really miss it. I amazed one young lad, this elderly lady telling him to get off the lift bench if he was just going to play on his phone! Whilst cycling or on the treadmill, I loved people watching - Miss Pink, clothing, qshoes, lips and face all very pink who never did anything strenuous; super fit lady as old as me able to do an astounding routine; wobble bellied gentlemen trying to look macho - you get all sorts. If I was bored I watched tv installed on the machines. Now I walk to the village hall for tai chi, most difficult for me co-ordinating my feet and hands, I doubt I look very elegant but it keeps me moving.

I have a personal trainer at a rather rough tough bootcamp type gym. Still working so I can afford it but will have to stop eventually. Told him my number one priority was to be able to get up again if I fell over (and indeed I can).

Why pay w,hen you can walk outside in the fresh air?

For many people, especially for those who have issues with walking or balance, it's safer. If you do have an accident there are trained people around - not like falling over in the park on your own. It's a good way of building up confidence and improving stamina and strength so people are able to do their own thing.

The last gym I belonged to had walking and running clubs with different abilities, from the 'OneMilers' just starting walking to the 'Marathoners'. They walked/ran outside.

I go to the Gym most weekday mornings with my OH. We are both in our 70's and go to keep healthy. I do cardio , lift weights and swim at least once a week . Most of the other people in the gym at that time are our age or a bit younger, we are slim and fit as we have we have always run or cycled, but many others are not and none cares a jot, I'm full of admiration for those who never did much in the way of keeping fit before covid but who are really into it now.

I tried going to a gym once and found it just as boring as when I had to do gym at school. At School I preferred rounders, tennis and athletics. As I grew older I took up badminton and horse riding and played rounders for our village. Now being old and full of health problems my only exercise is walking when the weather and arthritis permits.

Gyms are not my thing. I love fresh air, things to look at and the feeling of freedom when walking outside. Hated PE at school. Absolute nightmare!

Never in a gym! I was PE teacher for nearly 40 years so pass...Kids loved being in fitness room...I loathed teaching it. Love sport games and swimming but gym? NO!! Each to their own. I love walking and swimming..

Good luck with that yogi tree. Hope it works. I like all the water activities at the gym (except when the speediest swimmers take over all the lanes). Not sure I’ll be trying the wall climbing either. .

MissAdventure

I can barely walk these days, so no gym for me. (Not that I went when I could walk!)

I too have mobility issues MissA. For exactly that reason I have just signed up to our local sports village. You can choose all the classes you want in the week (even ones for people with limited mobility), swim, gym, wall climbing (I wish!), skating, steam/sauna, yoga etc etc, all for £26 per month! I intend to build my muscles back up (to the best of my limited ability) after many years with issues before obtaining new hips.

I am very anti-gym. If you want exercise, then go for a walk, do some housework, have a swim.

I am sure that repetitive abnormal movements put a serious strain on the body and cause more problems in the long term than they solve.

The thought of going to a gym brings me out in a cold sweat. I'm sure there are benefits, but not for me thanks.

My GP referred me to a gym a couple of years ago when I was told to lose weight. While I quite enjoyed using the machines and lifting weights, I simply couldn't bear all the sweaty panting men around me. So now I just walk, and I go to a dance class and Tai Chi (both classes all female!)

Jane Judge, I’m in total agreement with you on this!

Re above: PestyOne, i too joined The Nuffield, and yes i agree 100 Percent

Or even Jabberwocky!

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>

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

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.

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'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.

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 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.

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?

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.