If you are in your 60s and 70s and used to exercise, are you better off that people your age that don’t do as much?

My grandmothers were the same age. One went for a 3 mile walk come rain or shine every single day whilst the other preferred to watch TV with a slice of cake. The difference in physical ability and outlook in life between the two of them was remarkable. It was the one who walked who got dementia and went into general decline though whereas the unhealthy one lived to be 96 and only really struggled with mobility for the last 3 years of her life.

I walked regularly until Long Covid hit. Fatigue means I can't do that now. No yoga or Pilates as I've got osteoporosis (you wouldn't know from looking at me) and no one will teach me because I'm at high risk of fractures. So I'm doing Tai Chi as there is no curving over ( bad for back). Any suggestions would be welcome as inactivity is driving me crazy.

I have a just turned 90 year old who comes to my Pump class twice a week

Pressed post too soon - so DH’s parents can still do long hilly hikes but mine can’t.

Mine are still “ok” for their age though.

Might just be genetics but DH’s parents who have always been sporty / outdoorsy (not running marathons but lots of dog walking, gardening & tennis) are fitter than mine who weren’t as active (all aged about 70 now).

My DM is 78 and line dances 3 times a week for about 3 hours at a time. She also goes away for line dancing holidays both at home and abroad. She has a great group of friends from her dancing and looks like a woman in her early 60s!

I'm mid 50s, size 20, do a bit of hiking and run a couple of times a month and generally view myself as unfit. Then there is a thread on here about what people consider a 'long walk' and I realise I am way fitter than most people. To me a long walk is 6 hours plus not the 2 or 3 it seems to be to most people. So yes the limited exercise I do keeps me fitter than most people.

My parents have both always been active and are in good health now ( mid 70s) and a healthy weight. My dad has had both knees and a hip replaced but he used to be a pro footballer so took a lot of strain on his joints. Mum also had a spinal fusion a while ago so exercise isn’t a guarantee you won’t have any issues as you get older. Now the main benefit is social as they both get out and enjoy their sports and exercise classes with their friends.

Tbh the other thing is that they have both always had a v good diet- no fads but fresh and mainly unprocessed foods. A lot of fruit and vegetables and whole grains.

There was a piece on R4 at the weekend about octogenarian park runners. They said basically it was better to keep going with it, however slowly, than not.

I’m 65 and though I don’t work out (haven’t for years), I live an active life generally as I have a large dog who needs lots of walking. I’ve had dogs and horses all my adult life, although I gave up riding a couple of years ago when I lost my last horse. So far (touch wood) everything still seems to work, knees and hips are fine and I can manage the stairs just fine - and I’m hoping I’ll be ok for a few years yet. I do think it’s important to keep everything moving for as long as you can. Use it or lose it….

My mum is mid 60s and started going to exercise classes then the gym at 35ish. She's recently moved abroad and hikes mountains, despite her inherited joint issues.

At the same age her mum, grandma and most older female relatives had retired to an armchair in the kitchen and stayed there all day every day, none of them particularly mobile past 50. She takes after them and does have the exact same health problems, but she refuses to give up.

She's also learning a new language and culture, and has recently taken up running an online forum to keep her brain active.

I plan to be like mum (makes mental note to start exercising)

Yes of course, despite our best efforts ill health can come at any time

My dad was very fit when younger, he used to run, swim, play football, squash etc.
He's nearly 80, very fit still, has had one hip replaced and recovered quickly, probably have the other one done soon. He had bowel cancer in his early 50s, had to have a lot of his bowel removed and has lived with a colostomy bag since (it was very tough for him at the beginning but it saved his life).
I'm certain his fitness helped him recover relatively quickly from ops/illness.

My mom is 64 and my dad is 66, both are in great shape. They cycle, swim, walk, do yoga, lift weights, play tennis, pickleball, and the odd game of beach volleyball. They kayak and travel 6 months out of the year in their RV (they live in North America). They've been retired for about 15 years now and are very healthy, although my mom has had to start taking medication for her blood pressure this year (must be a genetic component because her brother's been on it since his early 40s). My dad takes nothing. They were active throughout their lives and raised us to be active and sporty too.

I’m 70 and fit and active - however the aches and pains I have are somewhat activity related, knackered knees, a dodgy back and currently a shoulder strain that’s painful and limiting. I’m sure it’s better to exercise, but it’s a bit of a chicken and egg situation - you’re probably more motivated to do exercise if you’re happy and healthy, and less motivated if you’re poorly and depressed.

I am in my 60s and pretty fit. I swim every day, run 3 times a week and do dance classes. I went to see Sting last night, he's 71. He looks fantastic. He looked better than hid son who was also on stage.

I had a yoga teacher for years who seemed old when I was in my early 30s and eventually retired 20 years later. I would guess she was in her 80s when she retired. She was a fantastic, very knowledgeable teacher and was so flexible and such a strong core that she carried herself like a much younger woman. So, yes, yoga makes a massive difference.

DH & I are 60s - run 5kms midweek and Parkrun at weekends. Cycle with club twice a week as well - 40kms midweek and 100km on Sundays. Owe it to ourselves to keep fit and healthy. Seems so many of friends our age, or even younger, are beset with health problems and many of them due to their sedentary lifestyles. Many of the people weeet at Parkruns and cycles are similiar age

I am 65 and fit and active (gym classes, swimming, mountain walking etc)

I have been in and out of fitness through the years. I was unfit and 3 stone over weight a couple of years ago, took a hold of myself, started doing proper exercise, my stamina, strength, body shape and health have all improved a lot. And I am still getting fitter, more flexible and building more muscle. It helps against the flattening and sagging of everything.

I'm 61 and still running up escalators with the youngsters , very flexible too and able to do the splits. I'm no less fit than I ever was . The only difference is that I'm tired at the end of the day.

My Mum is almost 70 and is very fit and active - she plays tennis, Pilates, cycles, swims in the sea and looks and feels great.

My Dad was similarly active a decade ago but 2 bouts of cancer and a stroke have taken their toll and he looks a shadow of his former self.

Ill health is a bugger.

My mother (80s) walks a lot and is in a much better state than many of her friends

My auntie is also pretty good state - but then i remember she does keep fit and tai chi with my mam

My DM is 90 and is in very good shape, has always been active and although slowing down a little now still goes to yoga once a week. My DF died aged 90 but was regularly playing tennis, walking and swimming until he slowed down about six months before he died.

Unfortunately I haven't inherited their enthusiasm for exercise but mid 60s with no serious health worries apart from being overweight.

Absolutely. I cycle with a club - the oldest member still regularly cycling is in his 90s. We have members who are 70+ who happily cycle 30-70 miles and I'm regularly surprised at how old some of the group are.

I think staying active is one of the biggest things you can do to keep yourself healthy and happy.

My lovely great aunt is still living independently at 99. All her many brothers and sisters died decades ago - mostly after many years of ill health. We attribute her extraordinary perkiness to a lifetime of Scottish Country Dancing.