Aches and Pains Lately.

Hi beautybumble I don’t think 75 is too old to start Pilates. A lot depends on the instructor (e.g. find a class for Beginners). I think Pilates is brilliant for strength and mobility.

Good luck.

Find a good pilates teacher and give it a try, you have nothing to lose and lots to gain. Also think about doing some strength training using weights, it's not just for the young, older people can really benefit too.

Yoga is possible over 70, just find the right class and teacher. If you have a leisure centre near you they will possibly have an over 50s class.
Don't forget tai chi either, great for soft, slow moment, flexibility and balance. Again make sure you like the teacher. Lastly, swimming can be lovely, there will be classes for seniors and perhaps ladies only which is nice.

Probably any form of regular, gentle exercise will help both stiffness and to a lesser extent backache.

Making sure you drink enough water in the course of the day will help too, and a new mattress might be worth considering as well. And what about your favourite armchair - how old and worn is it?

Is your kitchen work-top at the right height? Mine is, but the bathroom hand-wash basin is far too low!

I joined a yoga class a couple of years ago, supposed to be for beginners but most people had been going for years, all knew the teacher and were very advanced even standing on their heads. Didn't last long.

Still recovering from a pubic rami fracture after nine weeks. Gone from being busy and active to almost scared to go out and choosing to stay home. Moving still painful. Anyone had a similar problem

I have a lot of pain in my calves and hips, especially when sitting. I have found YouTube great for various videos showing TaiChi walking, yoga, Pilates and general stretching exercises. I do 10-15 minutes a day, different moves every day. It has made a significant difference to the aches and pains

We are both using the NHS Pilates you tube for back pain at the moment. It is only 30 mins and has made a big difference to our stiff and achey backs. I have always done yoga but this is easy to follow and not too hard

knspol

I joined a yoga class a couple of years ago, supposed to be for beginners but most people had been going for years, all knew the teacher and were very advanced even standing on their heads. Didn't last long.

Sorry to hear this knspol. Try a beginners class if you can find one or a class for mixed abilities.It's perfectly possible for mixed abilities to "do" the same class and routines just the newer members won't be able to do as much. The whole point of Yoga is it's not a competition and if you can only stretch 2 centimetres whilst others can stretch 12 inches you are doing great if that makesyour back a bit less stiff.
Also bodily proportions count for a lot in Yoga. I have short arms and longer legs so some postures that are really easy for the long-limbed 25 year olds (I'm 72)are a struggle for me to stretch half the distance but I gain just as much by stretching within my range.
I've done Yoga on and off for most of my life and try to do a sequence of daily stretches that are really a small Yoga routine.
I've only ever had great benefit in fitness, flexibility and calming of mind from Yoga and its' classes.
Good Luck.

Try Pilates. I started last year aged 74 and it really helps my balance, joints, well being. Swimming is also good as it exercises all parts of the body without having to worry about weight bearing.

Yoga will increase your suppleness and Pilates your strength. Can I also suggest Tai Chi? It really helps to concentrate the mind whilst you’re actually exercising more than you think.

Cambia

We are both using the NHS Pilates you tube for back pain at the moment. It is only 30 mins and has made a big difference to our stiff and achey backs. I have always done yoga but this is easy to follow and not too hard

I go to a gym three times a week so am reasonably fit but found my first pilates class yesterday really difficult, I'll have a go at the series of NHS pilates I think.

Might be a good idea to talk with your GP first as it's important to be checked over and maybe have bloods checked. They might advise on type of exercise classes. They can, in some areas, refer to group classes. But might be good to get osteopeania osteoarthritis ruled out first, as that can change the type of exercise we should do.

Both Pilates and yoga will help . Yoga is great for balance and flexibility. Pilates for core strength. I’m 67 and do yoga and weights in the gym . Weights and resistance training are great for bones .
I use a local council run leisure centre which has various classes for over 60s . So that might be worth looking at .
If you’re not used to Pilates or yoga , I would be wary of online videos and would suggest face to face classes . A good teacher will adjust posture and positions and will give suggestions if you have knee , hip or shoulder issues.

beautybumble

Hi. At 75 I wonder if pilates or yoga could help me. I was always fit and not as heavy as now, but these days I suffer stiffness and backache. Has anyone started with classes at this late time and it's helped?

I’m convinced we will all feel better with sun on our faces while the rain and consequent damp air reaches our old bones, causing stiffness and backaches, it isn’t only you.

Swimming is the best weight bearing exercise; do you have a pool in your town? it is invigorating exercise and inexpensive.
Pilates, yoga and tai Chi as Grans have advised, all helpful for stretching and strengthening.
If I’m feeling stiff I cannot walk far, feel
as though I am bending over with backache, feel creaking when I do bending and stretching exercises first thing in the mornings.
I have also ordered a new bed,
as although I dare not say how much this one cost 😵‍💫it is stolid, uncomfortable, torturous.

Summer is an easier time to drop extra weight too, when we eat raw food, drink
more water and are out and about.
Will you let us know what you decide and how you prosper?

Yes Pilates at 75 is great. If you cannot manage to get down on your knees, to do planks and press ups: you can do chair Pilates to start off with. Good luck.

I used to do pilates for many years and stopped with covid and a number of operations Thinking of going back. Work of warning check to age of the others in the class and possibly have a word with the teacher. The class I am thinking of joining has a couple of friends of similar age to me Hope you enjoy if you do decide to take the plunge and don’t try to push yourself too soon PS I am 77

Are you on any medication? If so, it’s worth reading the notes that come with it, even if you’ve been on it for a long time, to see if muscle stiffness or similar wording is one of the side effects. I had a similar problem with tablets I’d been on for a while, had a different one prescribed and my muscle aches went away. I’d thought they were just aches from getting older and not done anything about it initially.

Yes, many people start Pilates or yoga in their 70s and find it really helps with stiffness and back pain—just look for beginner or gentle classes and let the instructor know about any limitations.

You can start pilates at any age. Be careful to find a class that suits you. You could start with chair pilates, and if that's working well, you can progress to standing. Good luck with it all.

When I decided to finally lose weight as I was well over 19st size 32. When I reached 15st 7lbs went to Age UK community fit club for 12 weeks it was free . Because of my disability I used a chair for the leg exercises and sat down for arm and found I loved exercising. When the class ended I still did the workout at home .

When I moved to the north west in 2019 joined a sit fit class . Did exercises sitting down and standing up. Covid hit so it closed . Then attended GP referral active aging class run by local council . Free for 12 weeks sitting,standing and walking exercises plus used some equipment.

Been going to sit fit class for 3 years we use resistance bands straight and circular ,leg weights,paper plates and do circuit training 6-8 weeks which is fun .

Also been going to move it or lose class for a year . Which is more full on and use various equipment but is fun .

Both classes cost £5 but you only pay when you attend. At home I do 7 exercises at home plus 500 rotations on my static pedals.
Took me 5 years to loose 7 st by counting cals which I still do and still been trying to lose last stone for 4 years on day I will do it .

I exercise to keep my mobility as I was born disabled . I have had to walk with a stuck since I was 29 now nearly 68.

I love going to both classes as we are all ages and most have health problems but we give it our all. Oldest member is in my move it or lose it class she is 97. Doing both classes it's a social occasion but we encourage eachother and laugh a lot .

Whiff, you've done so well with your exercising and weight loss. I think calorie counting is the best way, it's obviously worked for you 💐. Good to have fun with friends and laughter is the best medicine 😂🤣.

Yvettehartland1

I have a lot of pain in my calves and hips, especially when sitting. I have found YouTube great for various videos showing TaiChi walking, yoga, Pilates and general stretching exercises. I do 10-15 minutes a day, different moves every day. It has made a significant difference to the aches and pains

I have had a lot of adverts for walking Tai Chi on my Facebook page. It sounds ideal. Which you tube video do you recommend? Thank you.