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Original poster

Do you think there's a limit to fitness for 'normal' people?

30 replies

PaperBagsAreUselessInRain · 04/01/2023 14:40

I have been pondering this for some time. I'm no athlete and I was crap at sport at school. I just don't seem to get fitter or faster or more able past a certain point. I can now run a 5km distance but can never get quicker than 33mins. My average time is 35mins. I've tried interval training, i've tried running slower, running faster. I'm not particularly interested in getting quicker but I have tried over many decades and it just doesn't happen. I'm perfectly happy at around that pace but now that I'm about to get to 50, it does make me wonder whether I just had a natural 'limit' to my fitness.

It's the same with bike riding and swimming. I can do a certain amount but just no faster and no longer. I recently went on holiday for 2 weeks and did nothing more than long walks and when I came back and went for a short, slow run, my muscles hurt like I had never done a run before. The same happened when i hopped back on the bike. It's as though my body is so crap at sport, it has to relearn all the time.

Just interested whether others feel the same way. As mentioned, no interest in becoming an athlete at such but enjoy keeping fit for health reasons!

OP posts:
ToooOldForThis · 04/01/2023 15:21

I think you hit a point where without quite targeted input you won't get any better.
I do similar to you, as did a friend. She is very driven and has made changes to diet, kit, getting a coach, strict training plan etc. Things that I could do; although I make excuses about time and money the truth is I'm just not as committed to it! Happy with what I'm doing.

We are similar ages, late 40s and I think it needs real focus and input which most people can't manage, but it is achievable!

Mumski45 · 04/01/2023 15:14

I think there will be a limit but most people won't reach it easily, you do get to a point where you have to do more of something to get better at it. If you don't have the time or energy to fit this in then you will stabilise even if you are fit.

I cycle a lot but only see improvements when I up my weekly mileage no matter what pace I ride at although some intervals can help.

Also more walking won't make you fitter for other sports. To get better at running you need to run more often and the same with cycling. I could cycle 60-80m in a day and aim for about 120m - 150m a week but if you ask me to run 5k I will struggle as I haven't run for years.

Funkyslippers · 04/01/2023 15:07

I'm the same. I started park run 5 years ago and then started running 2-3 times a week but never really got any better/faster. I now run 5k once a week with some weeks better than others but always need to stop for a walk a couple of times. I also swim twice a week, gym once a week and a couple of classes too. I'm definitely fitter than this time last year probably due to the high intensity classes I do but I don't think I'll ever be a great runner. I should add, I am also quite lazy so will sometimes just do the bare minimum!

Worldgonecrazy · 04/01/2023 15:03

33 minutes? I’ve never got below 35 minutes. But there was a point in time I couldn’t run for 20 seconds, so there is obviously an improvement somewhere.

I think if you can do what you did yesterday, that’s all you need to do. Trying to beat PBs is for the youngsters!

mynameisnotkate · 04/01/2023 14:59

I feel the same. I have quite a weak upper body and have been working on my strength for years. Still totally rubbish at press ups. It’s maybe the amount of training as much as natural ability - I do something most days but I guess would need to do long sessions every day to really improve. On the other hand I’ve been working on my core recently and have seen real improvements.