Spinning class anyone?

I use a DVD called Power Walking with weights (small ones i admit) and do this at least twice a week now my sciatica seems to be under control.I finish off with stretches.I also try to walk to our local town twice a week and the sum total is 150mins the recommended ammount from the government.I also play bowls so lots of bending and walking back and forth, then i garden and do all the house work and usually do one shift of 5hours per week as a carer this also involves bending and being active for the whole five hours. I have tried the gym and hated it, swimming is ok but i just get bored, so these choices i make keep me motivated and i enjoy them which i think is half the problem with exercise.If exercise can just become part of your lifestyle i think you are half way to cracking it, hope that doesn't sound smug or patronising as its not meant to be.

I got a bike and it made me realize my knees were bad! Doc told me they are bone on bone. So much for the anticipated fun.

Spinning classes are great way to get good cardio workouts. I am 75 and have been taking spinning classes consistently for about twelve years now - a couple of times a week. I think these classes are the perfect way to keep fit and trim without putting too much stress on your joints - particularly your knees. You can take it at your own speed and intensity - which is what I do. Sometimes I feel more energetic than at other times, so vary my speed irrespective of what the instructors are encouraging me to do. The biggest challenge when you start is a sore butt - but treat yourself to a gel saddle cover and you'll find that much more comfortable. For this age and stage in my life I can't think of a better fitness class to take that gives me such a boost.

Go for it. I say. I did it about 15 years ago once a week combined with weight watchers and other gentle exercise and went from size 18-20 to 12 and lost 4.5 stone in 8 months. Just go at your own pace and just coast along if you are struggling.

Like kwest I go to Aquarobics (or Aquacise as it is called here) three times a week and agree with everything she said. Actually a lot of the people in our class had it recommended to them by their GP as the best exercise for older people.

I tried a spinning class, which was meant to be aimed at us oldies (I'm 71). I tried it for 3 classes but found it too energetic for me, though I do have a heart condition. However I know that some of the others are still going and enjoying it.

Saggi
If 48 is your normal RHR then it's not normal.

Cycling is one of the best ways to lose weight and it’s a weight bearing exercise so it won’t hurt the joints. I have cycled for years and it’s kept me fit so much so that 7 weeks after my knee replacement I cycled 8 miles on the flat outside. Go for it and good luck.

I tried a spinning class once. it was vile.
I go to aquarobics three times a week, we have a very good instructor and you really feel that you have worked hard at the end of it. The good part is that there is no sweating, you are in warm water and you do not strain your joints. You also work much harder than you would ever make yourself work if you were alone. I also do three Pilates classes a week. It is harder than it looks but you feel very good at the end of it and you gradually see how far you have progressed over a period of time.

Why not have a look on YouTube for the many exercise programs led by responsible personal trainers. These can be done for free, with minimal equipment, and in the small space in front of a TV or tablet. I especially love the three mile walk at home programs, but, as I have had a knee replacement, also do the seated exercises and sometimes the exercises for seniors. Because I don't have to go anywhere, I find that I can easily find the time at home, and not only am I losing weight fast, but it gives me a huge mental boost as well.

Antonia
In view of DD health and wanting to lose half a stone would she not be better obtaining professional nutritional advice? They would also advise on activity that you too could follow.?

There’s lots of exercise options for older people. At our community centre we have chair based Pilates and Zumba Gold which are great exercise but geared for people who don’t want to damage joints etc. I’m 68 and do the ladies only kickboxing twice a week which has improved my balance and general fitness. Have a look around, there’s much more out there than spinning.

Wow Saggi that is impressive!

Not to put you off but I did a spinning class about 10 years ago with my daughter, I last about 25 minutes into an hours class and could barely walk down the stairs. My legs refused to cooperate for days after.
Good luck

You say you like music have you looked at dancercise basically a dance type exercise class?

Try just walking Antonia! I walk between 8-10 miles a day 4 days a week...then swim 40 lengths 2 days a week. Thursday's off for good behaviour! Don't go near a gym....and can't see point of paying for exercise! I'm 68 and have a resting pulse rate of 48 bpm. Never heard of spinning. Or , get a bike!

I second what Applegran has said. My DIL is always trying to lose weight and goes from one exercise class to another in the elusive hope that she will lose weight. They have a hyper dog and I often think she would be better spending her time taking the dog for a long fast walk than wasting money on exercise classes. Then of course there is the food part of it all, but being a MIL I don't like to interfere

I have no idea about spinning exercise, but have read several times that weight loss is almost entirely about what we eat. We do need exercise for umpteen health reasons, but on its own only loses small amounts of weight, unless you run marathons, or swim miles, or whatever. So the advice I've read is to eat healthily : Someone summed it up like this : Eat real food, not too much, mostly vegetables.
(Real food is food which has not been processed - is recognisable as the vegetables or whatever else it was made from, and not from a factory)

I’m 64 and go to an express spin class twice a week. It’s called express because it is only 30mins and not the usual 45mins. I enjoy it and find that you find your own pace but still have a good workout. Seems to keep my slightly arthritic knees supple.

Tai chi is gentle and still very effective to get fit and help balance and you learn the form so it good for concentration.

I used to love spin classes, but unfortunately I am no longer fit enough to even attempt one at the moment. They are loud, fast and knackering!
They are definitely not for the unfit. I’d try riding a static bike at your own pace to build up your fitness levels.

Yes they do always look stressed and miserable, milliebear!

You wonder why on earth they do it. Spinning class would be my idea of hell. But likewise, yoga would bore me to tears.

I have done this and most instructors want you to go at your own pace and not strain yourself. Most of us try several different types of exercise till we find one that suits us, one persons joy is another’s torture !

Give it a go, take your own music and headphones to block out the din lol

Cycle at a relaxing speed suited to you, so what if they are all spinning far too fast to see the wheels spin?, it's something to do together and have a right old laugh about afterwards when you both collapse at home.

Spinning classes are very hard work , if you’re not used to it. It will kill you until you get used to it