Is it too old to start?

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Isn't that discrimination against centenarians, Frank?

You can start doing Bums and Tums up to 99.

Frank

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.

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!

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

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....

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.

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.

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.

Message deleted by Gransnet.

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!

Alison

Well, it was almost black but as I have got older it has got lighter. That could be something to do with the dye! Hairdresser says I am 30% grey so will dye for a lot longer.

I'l try for elfin but will have to lose more weight first!

Actually, more of a chestnut colour.....

I thought you were taller, too, Alison, but with longish dark brown hair!

No don't hide, I'm going to continue to think of you as the Elfin princess(? I think) in Lord of the Rings.

Actually Ella I don't feel short, it is only when I see photos of me with others that I realise I am. Tried blonde once, didn't like it. Brunettes definitely have more fun! Should I run and hide now?

And longish blonde hair!

oooer Alison I'd got you in my mind as about 5' 7" and willowy