What exercises do you recommend for beginners?

You can't beat walking and swimming for getting in shape and staying fit. I am 83 years old and swim one kilometer a day five to six days a week. It takes me about 44 minutes from start to finish. Also, I advise many folks my age, who complain that they cannot breath properly while swimming, to learn to use a swim mask and snorkel----both of which are very simple to learn to use.

Doodledog

I am currently taking a course of (supervised) pulmonary rehabilitation, and the exercise consists of a combination of cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening ones.

Stepping up and down, sit to stand, cycling (on a machine), walking, and weight-lifting (bicep and tricep curls) are the ones we do. The patients are older people with respiratory conditions, so the exercises have been chosen accordingly, and all can be done at home (except the cycling, unless you have an exercise bike). We've been advised to do the squats using a kitchen worktop for support, and to do the sep-ups on the bottom step only, and use the banister as support if we need it.

If you don't know how to do any of those exercises, let me know and I'll explain more.

I’d like to know how to do those exercises. I used to do a daily walk up a steep hill that I called my cardiovascular exercise for the day, but now my knee isn’t too good I no longer do it. And I’ve become terribly lazy.

Aquafit 3x per week and bike/treadmill at the gym, chair exercises, walking the dog and squats, mentioned on here.
Classes are more fun, but anything is better than doing nothing.

I do a Pilates class once a week and have bought Pilates equipment to do at home as well.
I used to be an avid gym goes but not now- I would find it incredibly boring now!

I go to aquacise several times a week.

I try and work really hard, some seem to do nothing, but it’s up to the individual how much you put into it.

Also try and walk everywhere.

You haven't written about your age or fitness levels.
If you have mobility issues then chair yoga .
Otherwise walking is good and dancing fun .And consider getting assessed at a gym .

If you’re a beginner , I’d advise going to a class or an instructor at the gym , rather than YouTube videos. A professional yoga , Pilates or PT instructor will focus on your technique whilst doing the exercises. Plus will work at your level .
I’ve never been a fan of online classes for that reason . Plus I’m more motivated going to a class or the gym .

I am currently taking a course of (supervised) pulmonary rehabilitation, and the exercise consists of a combination of cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening ones.

Stepping up and down, sit to stand, cycling (on a machine), walking, and weight-lifting (bicep and tricep curls) are the ones we do. The patients are older people with respiratory conditions, so the exercises have been chosen accordingly, and all can be done at home (except the cycling, unless you have an exercise bike). We've been advised to do the squats using a kitchen worktop for support, and to do the sep-ups on the bottom step only, and use the banister as support if we need it.

If you don't know how to do any of those exercises, let me know and I'll explain more.

Chair Yoga for me! It's just what I needed. I do rehab pilates with special exercises as an individual - everyone in the pilates group has their own exercises to do which is good - but not necessarily enjoyable! I've tried motorcise and Tai Chi but my body cannot do that anymore so I do more walking now I have a trolley which is just the ticket.
I was told to be very careful about the type of exercises I should do because of my condition and be supported by a teacher who knows about my body - and so far so good!
When I was younger I did all sorts of exercises which were fun and of course even now I should still go swimming [carefully] in the sea when I can.
So my thoughts would be to try out exercises gently and see what suits you best - and if you have a medical condition, check out with your doctor.

When it’s too cold to walk outdoors, I follow you tube videos by Leslie Sansome called Walk at Home. She does a variety of walking videos from one to four miles ,I find them really good

Rosemary Conley has a website and there are a variety of exercises on it also lots of nutritional advice. Worth a visit .

Just gone back to the gym,I know there are loads of you tube fitness videos and I have weights and kettle bells at home BUT l need the discipline of actually going to the gym..

You need to take into account any health issues you may have.
I would say this is the most important thing before doing any exercise routine and take the advice of a health care professional if necessary.
You can very easily injure yourself.
Best of luck

Doodledog

Look up We Are Undefeatable on YouTube, particularly Strength With Alex.

They are short (15 minute) exercise workouts, with Alex doing them standing, someone else sitting down and a third using a chair for balance. You adapt the exercises to your fitness levels. All you need is some weighted objects - either dumbbell weights, water bottles, cans of beans or something. Other than that, you do them indoors and can pause if you need to rest.

They are designed for people recovering from illness or who are otherwise compromised physically.

It’s on Facebook, too and is another one that I keep meaning to do on a regular basis!

after having cancer i now have lymphedema in both legs along with nerve damage to both and need to use a walker, doctor last week said i am now type 2 diabetic, exercise is difficult but i looked on youtube for chair exercises that i can do at home and have found a few good videos.

Thank you, Doodledog. Will look later. Very helpful.

Look up We Are Undefeatable on YouTube, particularly Strength With Alex.

They are short (15 minute) exercise workouts, with Alex doing them standing, someone else sitting down and a third using a chair for balance. You adapt the exercises to your fitness levels. All you need is some weighted objects - either dumbbell weights, water bottles, cans of beans or something. Other than that, you do them indoors and can pause if you need to rest.

They are designed for people recovering from illness or who are otherwise compromised physically.

I'd like to get some weights but don't know what weight to get. Can anyone please advise? I am mid-70s.

One that’s often recommended for older people’s core strength, is getting up from an ordinary chair or sofa, 10 times daily, without using your hands. Keep arms folded in front of you and lean forward slightly.

Another recommended by a physio when I was still a bit weak and wobbly last year after pneumonia, is marching on the spot, but swinging the opposite arm to the leg. Apparently aids balance. At least 50 daily.

You can buy weights online, I have a pair of 1 kg ones which I lift (both up and sideways) while usually sitting on the sofa! (But I don’t do it often enough….)

Another vote for Aqua fit here. I do a class once a week and then swim normally twice a week. Two days a week , sometimes three, I’ll go on an hours walk. I gave up having a cleaner and my smart watch tells me that I have done a vigorous workout when I clean the house . I always have one day a week when I do no exercise, or very little, I was told that our muscles need some recovery time.

Walking is a great exercise and throughly recommended but it doesn’t help maintain muscle strength. Any exercises using weights and/or resistance work is the only way to maintain upper body strength. Exercises to strengthen the core muscles are also really important eg planks or lying on the floor and raising your legs or doing crunches are the only way to tone and strengthen the core muscles. Walking is great but it should only be a part of the exercise regime.

Walking walking walking

I can recommend Pilates; if you can find a beginner’s class in your area perhaps give that a look, as it’s important to get your ‘technique’ right, then when you’re more confident The Girl with The Pilates Mat on YouTube is brilliant for home exercising.

I’m 70 next month and have just completed a 12 week body transformation programme at a local private gym. Personal trainer twice a week and strict calorie deficit regime.
I’d put on a stone and really wanted to lose this and maintain body strength both of which I’ve achieved. Luckily I’ve always been reasonably fit and healthy but this has been the motivation I needed. I’m now back to swinging 14kg kettlebells and deadlifting 20kgs. My entire body shape has changed and I’m signed up to continue with this programme when I get back from holiday. I have always believed that it’s worth the hard work to maintain muscle and body strength as we get older.
Starting with small weights and building on this is a great step.

There’s a really good Facebook page called Easy Fitness Over Fifty which I keep planning to do. There’s another good one, the name of which escapes me. When I’ve finished my decluttering I plan to start doing the exercises every day.