Is it too old to start?

I've just found a 6 week course I can go on to get me fit and it is only £60. Going to join and then when I go on hols in October I will be slim, firm and totally gorgeous in a bikini!

Message deleted by Gransnet.

My DH was prescribed excercise at the gym for his bad back. As mentioned before it's partly run by the local authority. They gave him a diet sheet too. I never thought he'd stick it out but he's been going for 4 weeks now and his back has certainly improved and he's feeling better. They started him off gently and he's gradually doing more. He's talking about having another presciption if he can get one then taking out a reduced membership. All I do is walk backwards and forwards to work. Once I've retired I shall join as well - maybe we could go together.

Mind you not having a car has been a good decision as my walking has increased but I need some more flexibilty. I though Yoga would be good but I'm not fond of going out in the evening especially in the dark.

I started at Curves a couple of years ago, had medical leave from the gym due to op but started back after 9 months. Curves mission statement is NO LYCRA NO MEN NO MIRRORS. It certainly works for me 30 mins quite intensive workout on a circuit of hydro-pneumatic equipment and then stretches and I feel really well. I am 64 now and am looking forward to getting back to Curves after a couple of months away due to a small breast op.

I don't understand why people need to go to a gym to exercise. Can someone explain please? I get all the exercise I need to stay fit and well with my hobbies and day to day life.

oh dear. I fear you have opened a can of worms flower brace yourself bridget for an interjection on the evils of all women gyms....

Orca No doubt the King of Bums and Tums will enlighten you.

Alison I do Dance4Fitness, an over-fifties class doing simple dance routines to 60's music. Many of the women there also do other dance classes like Zumba, Zumba Gold, Line Dancing or even Belly Dancing. You don't need a partner and you can pay per session. It doesn't feel like exercising and is more social than a gym. At home I play dance games on the Wii with my grandsons!

I'm 61 and I've just joined the Health Club at a hotel about 15mins drive away. I've got a lot of 'stuff' going on at home at the moment and needed to do something for myself. Also too many of my crafty hobbies involve me sitting down. I am amazed at how much I'm enjoying it. I'd always been put off as I really thought that it would be full of 'gym bunnies' and super fit types. Yes there's a sprinkling of those, but during the daytime, they're outnumbered by the numbers of women and men in their 60s and above. My subscription allows me to go on weekdays between 6.30am and 4.00pm. I try and do half an hour on the bike and treadmill and then 20 mins in the pool [slowly ploughing up and down], followed by 10 mins in the jacuzzi. The machines in the gym have little screens on them with headphones. Yesterday I had to do an extra 10 mins on the treadmill to finish watching someone on the TV make a carbonara.They do lots of classes too, but I don't really fancy those. I know I'm lucky to be in a position to be able to afford it and to go each day. The Health Club is very friendly and beautifully clean. The pool really sold it to me. Some ladies spend quite a few hours in a lovely warm environment and even bring books to read around the pool. If you do decide to try something like this look around at some different venues. The private clubs aren't cheap but I find it very relaxing and that's what my priority is at the moment.

You can start doing Bums and Tums up to 99.

Frank

Isn't that discrimination against centenarians, Frank?

Ana

They may allow you to start at 100+ but you must see the instructor.
As far as I am aware the oldest member of the classes I go to is 82 so she may go on till 105.

Frank

Lounging round a pool then the jacuzzi or sauna sounds very tempting but if it's a choice between that and mixed bums and tums for octagenarians......it's no contest.

I go to a gym for women only called Curves, there mission statement is NO MEN, NO MIRRORS, NO LYCRA It is fun, two 30 minute circuits on 10-12 different pieces of equipment then stretching for 5 minutes. Just 30 mins a day as the machinery is specially designed to work on cardio vascular and all muscle groups. Its around £34 a month and there are classes all over the country. I started at 62 and love it

Oh Oops, just realised I have repeated myself on here. A sign of my ageing brain.

I've got a free trial at a local gym that I've been meaning to take up for about 2 years now [they've got that equipment that does all the work for you]. Keep putting it off till I retire; does yours cater for people with dodgy knees, Flower? I may check it out.

Flowerofthewest

Women only gyms are fine if they are not being subsidised from the council tax or any other tax which men pay.
The leisure centre I go to is all mixed If you are 60+ it is £23 per month if you want the gym and fitness classes or £27 per month if you want to swim as well.
There is no restriction on the times you can use the Centre.

Frank

absent!!! Your fault, methinks.

Hmmm! not sure it is subsidised Frank, I know it is a franchise. Just enjoy it there - they really look after you and know every one by name. You are checked every month Weight, BMI BP - inches lost etc. Lots of encouragement and I feel really comfortable there.

Flowerofthewest

As it is a private gym it would not be subsidised.
I go to a council leisure centre and myself along with other men complained about ladies only classes as there were no men only classes.
This centre is subsidised using council tax payers money and about 2 months later all classes went mixed.
Also they were charging men and women the same monthly fee.
Obviously women who used these classes should have either paid a higher monthly fee or a separate charge to use them.

Frank

I've been put off gyms. I don't think older people are supervised adequately - but that's just from my experience. I've also changed my Pilates class and now attend one where the maximum number is 6 and we have individual sequences to complete within the hour with support from the teacher. I find it just right for me and come out feeling really stretched and 'cardio'd'. I've been attending this class since last September and my shape has changed - noticed by DH and friends without any prompting . My previous classes had been with 9 others in the class and we basically did the same activity to whatever standard was deemed appropriate to our flexibility. It was good but not as challenging as this particular class I'm now enjoying. In the summer I enjoy swimming lengths but the water has to be pretty warm!!! I'd love to walk but with the lack of loos around it's a dodgy activity for me which is a real shame.

goldengirl, because at Curves a lot of the people are older everyone is supervised extremely well. There is always a trained instructor at hand and she walks around talking to everyone in turn. I noticed that an eye is kept on us even from a distance. The 'stations' are in a circle, it is 30 seconds on each piece of equipment and a 'rest' board in between to keep heart rate up . Each piece of equipment is hydraulically powered - I had never been to a gym before because I needed to feel safe. I certainly do feel safe here. I also love walking and will be glad when the weather improves.

I am about to be tempted by the no joining fee offer at one of our gyms which closes on Sunday. DH has been going there on a Groupon offer for the last couple of weeks and likes it. We were both members of another one but stopped before Christmas as we were so busy. Since then I have been in too much pain but now think its time to bite the bullet and see which exercises I can do. At least this one does not insist we sign up for a long term contract so if my back objects I can stop.

Some gyms are very expensive. The ones with a pool are twice the price of this one but neither of us is that keen on swimming so we will go to the cheaper one. I think there might be a stutus thing for the gym bunnies but that doesn't bother us.

Flowerofthewest

If you love walking a dog will encourage you to go.

Frank

We had a Curves in our town Flowerofthewest but it closed down unfortunately. I used to go to something similar called Motorcise which at first was very well supervised and great fun. Then, it was bought by the Council and with cut backs became supervised by young people who were more interested in chatting each other up or who were not present at all and the whole fun atmosphere of exercising changed. Several of us complained but to no avail, so I left.

So, its Pilates for me. I'd love to go twice a week if I had the time. It certainly helps my back - which I injured doing judo many moons ago - and my dodgy knee. The mantra in Pilates is 'pull up, pull in'. I'm often the oldest in the class but don't feel the least bit awkward and noone cares what you wear which suits me fine.

I think you should feel comfortable and safe doing exercise especially as you get older - and of course enjoy it!