Maintaining strength - the best way?

I go to the gym three times a week use resistance machines and also walk on an incline on the treadmill.Use the rowing machine for a few minutes…(Because I find it so difficult, But it is a very good workout for the whole body)

Lost my post!

Yoga is good, classes vary and some are more intense than others. It is strengthening as well as calming.
I've tried various types of exercise over the years but can't get down on the floor now and that is limiting as I definitely can't leap around any more either.

During lockdowns I did Qigong, slow but supposed to be effective.
Some people I know swear by Tai Chi.

My daughter-in-law would say kettle bells. And that's what I think I should be doing given the evidence.

Walking as often and as far as you can is so good for you and if you add a dozen squats and worktop press ups every time you wait for the kettle to boil it’s an easy daily workout which costs nowt!

I find Xi Gung/Shibashi better for flexibility and balance.
Not sure what helps with strength and what sort you are looking for.

Picking up and cuddling grandchildren.
Making the garden look beautiful.
Screaming protests at the television.
Walking to see my friends for coffee.
Carrying books to the charity shop.

I aim to walk six miles a day which I record on my phone. I do a 3 mile walk before breakfast with a friend and her dog and my DH and I go for a walk the majority of afternoons. I have never felt attracted to going to gyms preferring to be outside. I wish we had a swimming pool nearby as I like swimming. I also play table tennis once a week for an hour which is great fun.

I go to Aquafit three times a week. It's quite hard exercise against water pressure but the joints are well supported. I go in as deep as possible. Up to my neck so always moving against water.

I try to do some form of exercise daily, for at least 3/4 hour. Swimming 3 times a week, good walk on the other days. We have woods near us, with uphill sections, so good effort needed.

I go to the gym at least three times a week.

I find a mixture of Callanetics, Pilates, circuit training, resistance exercises, HIIT and Zabata stop me from getting bored and have helped to keep me flexible and strong.

I had an accident yesterday, resulting in one leg in a full splint thigh to ankle and the other with an orthopaedic boot. Having strong arms and core is definitely helping me to move when necessary.

Tai Chi, walking, exercises. ADHD, nothing better, I am always moving around, jumping up to do things, rarely sit down, constantly fidget. - keeps your weight down as well!

It's not for everyone, but ballet is good for deportment as well as for working the legs from top to bottom. The Royal Academy of Dance has qualified teachers who specialise in ballet lessons for older people, it's called Silver Swans.

I'm sorry to read about your accident GrannyGravy13. 💐

Having had health issues in 2024 which affected my ability to do much exercise I'm trying to regain the fitness I've lost. I walk the dog each day and have built up to about an hour each day with increased pace and hills. I used to do a couple of pilates classes weekly but currently just doing a weekly one to one reformer session so my trainer can focus on what is best for me. It's good for strength as you work against weights, flexibility and cardio, so really excellent all round exercise. I'm 76.

loopyloo

Picking up and cuddling grandchildren.
Making the garden look beautiful.
Screaming protests at the television.
Walking to see my friends for coffee.
Carrying books to the charity shop.

👍🏻

I go to a sit fit class on Monday afternoon and move it or lose class Tuesday morning. Plus do exercises at home and have static pedals which I do 300 rotations on.

After being in hospital last month for a week spilt over 2 hospitals. I have lost strength in my arms so working hard to regain it. But it's been a good excuse to get rid of all the kitchen things I can not longer use and buy things that are lighter. My daughter has had most of the things . The rest will go to charity.

There's a variety of YouTube videos out there.....confesses to it still being at "next on my list" position - as I'm currently working my way through a list of health issues my body has and getting rid of them one by one. I'll get there.......

....but I'm certainly aware my strength hasn't felt normal level for a while and hence fitness is on the list (after finishing off dealing with foot issue and skin issues and and and....).

Picking up and cuddling grandchildren.
My DGS is 6'2", I think he'd have a shock if I tried to pick him up. 😁

Screaming protests at the television. oh yes!

escaped

It's not for everyone, but ballet is good for deportment as well as for working the legs from top to bottom. The Royal Academy of Dance has qualified teachers who specialise in ballet lessons for older people, it's called Silver Swans.

Having never had the opportunity of dance lessons when I was a child, I decided to join an adult tap class when I was about 50, sadly realising I had no co-ordination.

I do see the difference with my DD who did ballet and tap for years.

Pantglas2

Walking as often and as far as you can is so good for you and if you add a dozen squats and worktop press ups every time you wait for the kettle to boil it’s an easy daily workout which costs nowt!

What are worktop press-ups?

One easy (non gym) thing said to be very good for core strength, is sitting on a normal height chair, arms folded, and stand up without using your hands. Repeat at least 10 times daily.

It was one of the exercises recommended by a physio when I was left very weak and wobbly after a nasty dose of pneumonia and pleurisy.
Another (largely for balance) was marching on the spot, swinging the opposite arm to the leg, IYSWIM. 50 or more of those.
(These exercises were for the 70 plus.)

Allira

escaped

It's not for everyone, but ballet is good for deportment as well as for working the legs from top to bottom. The Royal Academy of Dance has qualified teachers who specialise in ballet lessons for older people, it's called Silver Swans.

Having never had the opportunity of dance lessons when I was a child, I decided to join an adult tap class when I was about 50, sadly realising I had no co-ordination.

I do see the difference with my DD who did ballet and tap for years.

Tap is a bit jerking on the spine.
Pole fitness is better!

😯 Pole dancing at my age?

Witzend - worktop press ups mean standing about a yard away from the worktop edge, hands shoulder width apart, then leaning forward to do press ups! Not as difficult as floor ones and easily utilising your body weight. I do sideways one-handed ones occasionally but can only manage 5 in one go!

I boil a kettle around half a dozen times a day so those along with squats add up to a lot in a week.

Commit to performing resistance exercises every day. You don't need to pay for gym facilities or specialised classes because you have everything you need in your own home. I've found a pair of weighted wristbands to be a good investment (if they're big enough to use on your ankles too, so much the better)). Just wear them to go about your daily chores and your muscles will become stronger. For stamina, go for a walk every day, as briskly as you can (remember you have to come back, so don't walk until you're exhausted!). Build up the distance every few days until you're out for at least 30 minutes a day. There's no quick fix and you have to keep it up, every day (hateful, but there it is - you don't get nuffin fer nuffin!). Oh, and a physical jerks book aimed at seniors may be a good idea - they generally contain a whole range of simple exercises for different ages & states of fitness. I won't say which one I use, as I don't want to be accused of advertising, but an online search for "seniors exercise" will turn up quite a choice. Now all I have to do is follow my own excellent advice.