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Exercise over 70

(82 Posts)
Doodle Sat 02-Feb-19 14:12:06

DH and I walk a lot but do little other exercise. I have poor joints. Both of us have asthma and little stamina for energetic exercise. I just wondered what others do to keep fit and if you have any suggestions for us couch potatoes.

Liz46 Sat 02-Feb-19 14:17:43

Tai Chi or yoga on Youtube? I used to go to yoga classes but was embarrassed by my cough (asthma and mild bronchiectasis) but I'm ok at home.

Gonegirl Sat 02-Feb-19 14:20:12

I had one of these bikes for Xmas because I have become too short to ride my old bike. It means I can keep on cycling to the shops and into the nearby town. Or just for bike rides by the river.
biria.com/series/easy-boarding

Gonegirl Sat 02-Feb-19 14:21:08

I pedal at quite a ladylike speed these days.

overthehill Sat 02-Feb-19 15:54:46

After reading lots of the comments to my post....Efforts to keep healthy/living, it seems lots of people who exercised regularly have ended up with dodgy joints and arthritis. I'm glad I never went down that route. I do believe you should move yourself so walking is good but hard on exercise can do more harm than good.

Gonegirl Sat 02-Feb-19 16:08:19

Swimming, and next to that, cycling is supposed to be best because your body is supported. So less stress on joints.

Geryfelin Sat 02-Feb-19 16:59:07

I wonder if there is an ‘armchair yoga’ class near you? This is fun for people with any sort of restricted mobility, for whatever reason. This gentle, supported yoga helps to keep joints flexible and muscles active. We are lucky to have a good class here in Carmarthenshire with a knowledgeable and careful teacher.

M0nica Sat 02-Feb-19 18:09:40

Tai Chi is relatively gentle and, if you follow a course online at home you can stop whenever you feel it is tiring you. It is very good for joints.

Have a look on your local Age UK site. You will find that they run a a range of exercise classes of different types suitable for all levels of fitness.

Tangerine Sat 02-Feb-19 18:29:21

Swimming may be a good form of exercise for you.

Cold Sat 02-Feb-19 18:35:38

Well walking is pretty good exercise but if you want to try other things
Water aerobics
Chair yoga
Nordic walking using poles
Swimming
Armchair exercise classes

Doodle Sat 02-Feb-19 19:59:52

Thank you all. I will try looking at Tai chi and yoga at home. Thank you for all your suggestions

Grammaretto Sat 02-Feb-19 20:55:27

I love my yoga class. I now go to one peopled mostly by older ladies and gents. I once muttered that my joints needed WD40 but was told yoga is the WD40!!
I enjoyed Pilates too but sadly the class had to stop for lack of support.
Swimming is another good exercise but I hate the cold changing rooms.
I admire those of you who can exercise at home but I can't. There is never space or time or motivation.
A walk is the best I can do.

grandma60 Sat 02-Feb-19 20:59:41

I go to Aqua fit classes. The oldest two ladies in the class are aged 91 and 92. They say that if they stop they will seize up.

Treebee Sat 02-Feb-19 21:17:13

Pilates is great for stretching and strengthening. I’ve recently moved to an over 55s class where you do what you can. Teaches you to listen to your body and challenge it when you can. Each teacher is different so it’s worth looking around for classes and trying them out.

Catworzel Thu 14-Feb-19 09:42:49

I know it’s now 2019 but I’ve only just discovered this forum!
I have a 14 year old and a 10 year old knee replacement but have always tried to keep moving as much as possible. I’m 71 and single and have had to push myself to join classes but currently do a weekly hatha yoga class and aqua aerobics- both excellent for keeping joints stretched and strong. I also have to walk everywhere in nice 15 minute bites which soon add up every week. All highly recommended.

Liz46 Thu 14-Feb-19 10:07:16

We drive to the sea and walk along the embankment. My asthma is triggered by smoke and we rarely encounter any on these walks and it is lovely to look out to sea and see all the birds etc.

Teetime Thu 14-Feb-19 11:08:30

Doodle have you tried croquet - its a game of strategy so you get to exercise your mind at the same time. Its not strenuous but you do learn some 'tricks' with your mallet and you're are walking up and down a bit. Its getting a lot more popular now so you may find a local group possibly through U3A.
My husband cannot recommend bowls highly enough - he is a coach and has people of all ages playing socially and in competitive teams- his oldest person is in their 90s. I would point out its an indoor club so you can play all year and its very social.

Jishere Fri 15-Feb-19 10:31:13

I go to Zumba that is so uplifting it is more fun than doing exercise. Pilates is also a good class working towards a stronger core whilst being aware that other parts of your body might have limitations.

Nedsmum Fri 15-Feb-19 10:41:10

You could try the Active 10 App from Public Health England. The idea is to do three periods of brisk walking (don't be put off by the word 'brisk') a day. It is very easy to use and sccording to latest research this is better than 10,000 steps a day.

GreenGran78 Fri 15-Feb-19 10:44:33

Our local Council (Wigan) runs an Active Living programme. I have just finished a 6 week, 12 session exercise course which is designed to help people with arthritis and joint problems. The idea is that we build up the muscles which support the problem areas, helping to ease the pain (hopefully)
A man from Active Living visited at the last session, and pointed us in the direction of further classes and activities which will continue the process. A one-hour interview is the first stage, to discuss our situations and devise the best way of exercising for each individual.
Why not find out if your area has a similar group? They are experts at finding out what is best for you.

Craftycat Fri 15-Feb-19 10:45:35

Yoga every time. It will effect every joint of you body. Ensure you get a really experienced teacher who understands the limitations of an older body. Admittedly I have been doing it since my 20s but we have many in their late 80s in our morning class.
Ensure your tutors properly trained & understands the limitations of your body.
It works very quickly & you should enjoy it too. I love it & we all have coffee(should be green tea really) afterwards too.

GabriellaG54 Fri 15-Feb-19 10:45:52

I walk and hike with various Meetup groups and a photography group which involves some walking around.
I'm also running 6 days a week with a running partner (training for marathon later this year all being well) I also cycle (not a racing bike) ride and, more recently, shuffle dance.
I've done gig-racing in the past and have done weightlifting (got a certificate ?) and still do rowing on a static machine in the gym.
I drank and do drink a lot of milk so my bones are pretty solid.
If you are looking for less exertion, I suggest your local community centre might have classes in tai-chi ( very popular) indoor bowls and dance classes which are quite gentle. They may have sitting down exercise classes too and a cafe to have tea and biscuits after. A good place to meet like minded people.

Meta Fri 15-Feb-19 10:52:43

I’ve had various joint and back issues. I’ve found aquafit very good as the water is supportive and doing something to music is fun. The other good thing is just walking and when I can’t go outside I’ve discovered Leslie Sansone videos on YouTube- she’s a very jolly upbeat American who focuses on walking exercises for your living room! I’ve found a great ‘15 minute happy walk’ and various other distances- including ‘American heart foundation three mike walk ‘ which she does all indoor walking- worth a thought

HildaW Fri 15-Feb-19 10:54:53

Social dancing - good for the brain as well.
Also some gentle weight training is very important. My joints would be a lot worse but getting some strength back into muscles supports the joints. We all loose muscle strength as we age but that can be slowed or reduced if you use weights.

Matelda Fri 15-Feb-19 11:01:04

I have had a knee replacement, and thought I was doomed to walk with a stick forever. However I realised that I needed to build more muscle and began to work out every day using YouTube videos. I began with seated exercises and functional exercises for seniors. I also liked ‘walk at home’. Later, I graduated to light hand weights and ‘standing abs and cardio’ routines. These resistance routines mean that I now feel more like 35 than 70, can nip up and down stairs with ease, and can kneel easily because my knees are well padded with muscle. Apart from my fingers, my osteoarthritis has gone into remission.