Contemplating joining a gym at 60+ - am I insane??

[Faceplantagain]

I'm early 60s, relatively active and mainly get my exercise from regular walking around my hilly town. However, I don't seem to be doing that as much as I used to and my fitness is definitely going downhill - I went on a walking holiday earlier this year and struggled on the uphills. I'm also worried about potential osteoperosis which I know weight-bearing exercise would help with. So, I'm wondering about joining a gym where I could do a combination of cardio and weights a couple of times a week, but I feel strangely intimidated. I think the last time I crossed the threshold of one was 30 years ago! Some inspirational stories from people who've started gym-going later in life would be much appreciated!

I go to Gymophobics which is a ladies-only gym and about 50% of the clientele are retired. All the focus is on women's health - eg preventing osteoporosis etc. it's great!

I'm 55 and in some of the classes I go to at my gym I'm the youngest there so it's definitely not to late for you to start.

I started going to my local council not-for-profit gym in my early 40s and was immediately struck by how many very fit and healthy over 50s there were. It runs specific classes for '50+ Fitness' but most of the Body Pump/cardio sessions are frequented by people aged between 35 and 70ish. Lots and lots of retired gymgoers during the day, too, at every level of ability.

Visit all the options and see which atmosphere you find most appealing - I like my gym's no-nonsense focus on health/longevity rather than physical perfection which the trendier gyms in town seem to push; they do a lot of events in connection with the local health trust. The two most motivational trainers are both well into their 50s - and really understand how to get the best out of a slightly older class. There's no posing in mirrors, mainly because there are mercifully few mirrors...

Another oldie at the gym here.
I use my local council leisure centre one.
It's brilliant and I am doing lots of the yoga classes too.
The staff are well aware of how important health and fitness is to older people and are so helpful and friendly.
It was a bit intimidating to start, just because of how useless and self conscious I felt, but so glad I did.

If you go daytimes, you'll probably find most of the class is older, with varying levels of ability.

Oh, and one of the yoga teachers is 75.

Go for it! I've never liked the gym personally but have always loved to dance and at 61 I'm now doing ballet and tap classes once a week. The oldest member of our tap class is 79! I also do a Zumba Gold class as well. 'm encouraging DH who is 70 to do something as well - we're both concerned with osteoporosis - so he does a routine with hand weights at home.