Pilates or something for over 50s beginner?

[Zonder]

I'm feeling my age, waking up a bit achey and stiff and thinking I should start doing some kind of gentle stretching or exercise. Anyone got any suggestions / personal experience? I walk a lot but don't do any other exercise currently.

Anyone?

I'm in exactly the same boat, Zonder. I'm doing the warm-up from Body Wisdom tai chi on Youtube to stop the rot setting in further while I think about my next step. It's really soothing and has done my neck, back and ankles some favours.

Pilates is excellent for this. I go to a class full of women and gents of a certain age, most of whom started from a "fit bit inflexible" start, and everyone has benefited hugely.

You'll ache terribly after the first few classes and after that you'll notice much improved mobility. You can make adjustments if some of the exercises are too difficult (a good teacher will tell you what to do) and over the weeks you'll manage to do more. Highly recommended.

Thank you both. It does sound like it could help.

I'm wondering about whether there's anything decent online - not sure I dare brave going to a class yet.

Girl with pilates mat on YouTube. She isn't a girl. She is good though

I know exactly what you mean. I'm very sedentary but have become very stiff and achy so wanted to find some gentle stretching exercises. I found to do in the mornings, and for the evenings. Hope that helps!

I am late 50's and been doing Pilates at least twice a week for the last 6 years. Really helped with my flexibility and I really notice if I miss a few classes. However I would caution against Zoom classes as a beginner. You really need an instructor present to make sure you're doing the exercises right. Even my Pilates instructor said she only found out she was doing a lot of the exercises wrong when she did her instructor course as previously she'd just used dvds or done it online.

I started doing Pilates about a year ago as an overweight, not very flexible beginner. I'm mid-40s. I love it, it's really helped with my flexibility and posture. As PP said, you will get much more out of a class rather than online, as you'll know you are doing the exercises correctly. Don't be nervous about going, the one I go to is all level and the instructor makes sure everyone is working at their correct level. I've found it very welcoming and friendly.

I’m 53 and joined a Pilates class last summer after having a hysterectomy. It’s been amazing, it’s not easy and I’ve had to work hard, but I’ve really progressed and feel so much better for it.
The other exercise I take is swimming, also very good for us older stiffer ladies.

This is all really helpful thank you.

I'm in my 50s, and agree about Pilates being great. It provides a really useful foundation if you get more into other fitness, eg strength training too.

Be brave and go to a real life class if there is a good instructor . Unless you go to a highly specilaised place, there will be other beginners, and getting the correct form is so important, and it can be quite subtle.

But if you can't, I recommend Lottie Murphy on you tube. She also has a paid studio with more content and does zoom classes.