Am I too old at 50 to start exercising now?

Weights are good for us 'mature' women, I do body pump at least twice a week and spin classes, good luck, I love my exercise.

I had a hip replacement last summer aged 68.
Once I’d recovered from surgery I moved on from aqua to Pilates. I had to take a stool into the gym to be able to get up of the floor. I didn’t need the stool after about 4 weeks.
Slowly I added Conditioning for Wellness and 40 minute walks on the treadmill. I tried Zumba and dropped it and most recently added Strength and Conditioning which I love and do 3 times a week and Barre Fitness.
Today I scoped out the cycle room, it looks terrifying, and was show how to adjust the bike for me, I’m just over 5ft tall. I’m going to start with a virtual class. Recommendations on what to wear would be welcome.
i also booked my first Legs Bums and Tums and more worryingly an Ignite Strike class.
i do about 15 classes a week.
My DH is somewhat baffled but supportive. OP go for it. It is not too late.

I doubt 10-15 seconds of the OP getting her heart rate up is going to demoralise her but ok.

I only mentioned it as she said she wanted to get her heart rate up.
Intervals (at beginner level) for a short amount of time is far more doable than trying to fit in an hour plus of cardio and it is very effective. Many fitness trainers specialising in menopausal
woman do not recommend hours of zone 2 training for this age group. Surprised you are not up to date…if she walks 2 miles a day I think she can cope with getting her heart rate up a bit for 10-15 seconds at a time..

Walking is very good for you. You should also know that.

And yes I would prioritise strength training at that age! Then sprinkle the cardio on top but factor in the 2 miles of walking per day.

I started at 53. Best thing I ever did. I’ve got friends who don’t exercise and the impact on their health as they approach 60 is obvious. Once you start exercising you address your diet too and start making a few healthier food choices. I found some excellent classes as I couldn’t have done it by just exercising alone

I’m a PT specialising in women over 40. I’m well aware of interval/ sprint training and do it myself. The OP doesn’t need to start with that, it will likely make her feel quite uncomfortable and inadequate as her fitness levels are going to be very low, which will lower the chances of her wanting to continue. The priority would be to get her moving and enjoying it. Having helped literally hundreds of women start from scratch, interval training is not the way to go.

2 miles a day walking is not ‘plenty’.

Couch 2 5k is brilliant, that with 2 resistance sessions with a PT per week to work on strength training would be a great place to start.

BTW zone 2 training is fabulous for cardiovascular health, in conjunction with 1x per week sprint training for those ready for it.

Heart disease is a major risk for women, we should know about it and take action to prevent it.

A combination of strength training and cardio is the optimal, not either or. Strength training alone is not enough.

I don’t mean actual sprinting. It’s just an exercise method that gets your heart rate up but only for short periods. It’s all relative to your fitness and your own max heart rate. So she could just do some intervals on a static bike for example.

Actually less tiring and more effective (especially at 50) than hours of cardio in zone 2. She walks plenty.

Zone 2 is very useful if you are a runner and need to balance your training.

But she should prioritise strength training really.

I did couch to 5K when i hit 70, now I run daily and steam up the local hills. I can also stuff my elderly gob with much chocolate and not put on weight.

As a beginner the op really shouldn’t be doing sprint training.

And zone 2 cardio is very very beneficial.

Awful advice. It’s so important to ‘get out of breath’ heart disease is the biggest killer of women world wide. Having a fit cardiovascular system is just as important as strength training.

OP- it’s never too late.

It’s never too late!!! What sort of exercise do you want to do? Weight lifting is extremely important for women as we lose bone density as we age, and weight lifting preserves it. I’d invest in some starting weights such as these and you can find free workouts on YouTube to follow to get you started. Or sign up to something like Les Mills which has lots of different workouts on their platform to follow at home. https://www.argos.co.uk/product/6326142

If you can move it, you can improve it. Don't go from 0 to 100 overnight as your body will definitely not thank you but you should definitely go for it if that's what you want to do.

Go and do a Lucy Wyndham Read youtube video right now. And just keep going! I have been doing something everyday for 9 months now - some days it’s just 5 mins some days it’s 30 minutes but it’s every day. I’m 51 and it can be done!

I started regular exercise (gym and running) post 50. I'm now fitter than I've ever been and will hopefully have better quality of life / fewer health issues later on

I started strength training at 52. 6.15 am class three days a week! Three years later I’m still going, I love it! I havn’t run seriously for over 10 years, but I’ve started running 5k on the days in between.

I joined for the first time this year at a similar age. I also walked a lot. I was/am overweight. However I have toned up massively and my range of movement has improved so much, I feel so different when I walk.

Not too old at all!! I’m 50 and joined a gym for the first time in my life a couple of years ago.
I can’t say I look forward to going 😂 but honestly, I leave feeling really pleased with myself.
i do exercise classes. Its definitely good for my mental health as well as physical… good luck!!

I am 48, overweight and had never really exercised until a year ago. I started seeing a PT twice a week and feel much better for it. You're definitely not too old! I also like Carolines Circuits on Instagram for quick workouts you can do at home, she has a book too.

The best part is how you feel. It's a fantastic feeling to feel fit and strong. Exercise is as effective as antidepressants on our mood. Exercise releases all the feel good chemicals in our brain. Its great to be able to run up stairs, bend and carry with ease and just feel more energized. I find strength training a great stress reliever, I think its because of the process of tensing and relaxing you are forcing the tension out of your body. Becoming fit and strong as I have aged has helped my confidence no end.

Strength training will make a huge difference and you can start at any age. I would prioritise that over cardio.

Why on earth would you think you’re too old? You could have 35+ years left on this earth. Get moving and lifting. Your 2 miles per day is a good start.

I think if you were looking to compete at a professional level then it would be a difficult path. But to improve your own health, definitely.

50 is not old, why would it be too late to do something so good for you!?

Definitely not too old, my cousin is a PT and works with people who just started in their 70s and 80s! (As well as my age...40s). It's made a huge difference to them (and me...) and is what encouraged me to sign up.

Yes you’re too old. 50 is ancient. Don’t bother. 🙄

no!! You just need to start slow and it might take longer than you like but it’s definitely not too late.