Getting strong, fit and flexible at 50. Possible?

I reckon I'm one of the youngest in my Pilates class - and I'm 58!

Because it's during working hours, probably.

I wfh self-employed so can go when I like.

7 minute workout is a good starting point and give a whole body workout in just 7 mins. You can repeat it as you get fitter. Yoga is great for flexibility and general wellbeing. I do a session on a Friday after work and it completely destresses me for the weekend. I use Huel as a meal replacement at work and this provides a balanced intake. I use the black edition as it contains more protein which is useful when training.

Swimming can be great for anyone with joint issues. I took adult improvers’ classes for about 8 weeks to correct my ‘form’ and did that for several years.

@crackofdoom - try to wear wrist and ankle weights when you're walking. Or even while doing housework. That alone makes a huge difference.

To gain arm muscle, you need to work out with dumbbells. Rebecca Louise has some good workouts on YouTube. Next you can have a go at Caroline Girvan.......

To get your legs into shape, do Lucy Wyndham Read's Thighs & Glutes several times a week. Deceptively simple........ but my, you'll soon feel the difference! I credit my skiers legs almost entirely to this workout,

I do barre ( Meet you at the Barre) online. It has revolutionized the way I look at exercise. Before I was a Jillian Michaels disciple. I started during lockdown and I am now much more supple and strong with no joint pain ( am 60 next year and had a hysterectomy some years ago). I get bored easily and I find these classes inspiring.

Can I join. Early 50s 2 stone overweight Feeling terribly unfit and have various joint issues that mean I can’t over do things

You can get weights from JD Sport and Amazon, even Argos (when they're not out of stock...). Start with 2 or 3 kg and work your way up.

Then try this:

And this:

Anna has several Yoga inspired stretch workouts, e.g.:

Also search for 'Redefining Strength Stretch' - this lady has lots of good advice about stretching and the correct way of doing various moves.

And then this from Caroline - a bit more challenging:

I'd also thoroughly recommend the 3-minute Bowflex plank and Rebecca Louise's Best Abs.

And go from there

DeliciousViolets

I avoid classes with mirrors! Or pick the spot with least possible view of the mirror. If you can afford it, a good option is to get small group or even 1:1 sessions. If not, there’re some good online options, eg Glow.

Or try a v big class that’s fast and go near the back. Or spin and turn the resistance much lower than suggested

That, and stand at the back of the class so you feel less self conscious!

Tbh, I do still feel self conscious as I am still always the fattest person in the class despite now being only 2lb over top BMI and very muscly too, so probably a reasonably healthy weight. But I try not to care because in the end, what matters is how i feel outside of fitness classes, and most of the time I feel stronger and leaner than I have for years, so the few hours of 'Oh shit I still have the biggest tush in lycra' a week don't really matter.

I'm 64, and decided last October I needed to get fitter and stronger. I invested in a personal trainer for 2 weeks for a kick start, then carried on with a similar regime. It has worked really well, even if I don't do a full work out, just doing the 5 minute warm up helps.

Same for me. My youngest is 5

You could do Pilates on Zoom to start with, @DeliciousViolets? Not ideal but better than feeling so awful.

Any tips on getting over the feeling of being the 'Humpty Dumpty' in any class and being too unfit to keep up; I've tried yoga and Pilates and feel such a lump and ashamed of myself.
In the rest of my life I am a confident, competent person who other people look to for guidance, in the gym I turn into a nervous, self-conscious mouse. I need to look in the mirrors to see if my body is in the right position but I HATE looking at what my body has turned into after 3 years where exercise has been impossible due to health issues. I feel like crying during classes so disappointed with myself.
I know this is pointless and self defeating but still get all emotional about it in classes.

I'm 55, started training properly at 50, though had always been fairly active:

I've done:

Pilates (really recommend as a good start to all strength training, and strength training in itself if you are naturally a runner, for example)
Weights - machines and free weights
Strength based classes/bootcamps/HIT classes
Boxing classes and 1:1 PT
Calisthenics - classes PT, and lots of solo or partner work
Running (slow and short but a good contrast to everything else
Les Mills on Demand in lockdowns
Loads of fast walking in comfy clothes and trainers.

I'm stronger than I have ever been. I need to take time to recover, and for cardio-based stuff I do push myself but ignore what others do IYSWIM - as a short middle aged woman I WILL be slower than men in their thirties and that's fine. I've had nothing but encouragement and support from trainers and peers.

You are all motivating me! I contacted our gym again to find me a trainer. I prefer women around my own age or older for motivation - when I got in amazing shape at 48 my trainer was Penelope who was 65 and doing triathlons! She could run faster and for longer than my athletic teenage girls! Unfortunately she left to travel the world just before covid. I will find the new thread and let you know how I get on.

My husband started weight training with our 15 yr old son and a trainer last May and looks amazing, he is definitely motivating me.

Also watching with interest

This is inspiring. Where to get the weights and what sort of workout regime should I use?

I'd like to get fitter, too- just turned 48. My biggest barrier is that I'm a LP, and work, and the DC are still too young to leave in the evenings- although close to reaching the point when they can be left, thank fuck. I try to do massive walks on my free weekends- it's noticeable how my stamina has dropped over the winter, though. Also try and swim as much as possible, but swimming pool provision round here has dropped away shockingly since the pandemic. I have been doing yoga with Adriene every day for 2 weeks, and can actually see that my midriff is more toned. Feel that I've lost muscle tone from my arms- any good ideas for how to reverse this at home??

Loads of great things to try!

Would identify your best time slots in your week and see what you enjoy.

Recommend a heartrate monitor for cardio things to stay in a good ‘zone’ and avoid overdoing it and putting yourself off! Eg walk/jogging mix up is much better than busting a gut trying to run and hating it.

Pilates.
Focus is on core control, stability, flexibility.
Age range in the class I go to is 30s up to 79. All the tutors I've had offer options for each set of exercises, so nobody "can't" do the exercises.

Just going to outline my dream post 50 fitness scenario

Running club and or park run
Other kind of outdoor activity club
Yoga/strength at home
Active holidays

@Tulipomania

That sounds lovely!