Over 50s - what exercise do you do and recommend?

[ifonly4]

I've found out I'm pre-diabetic so want to try new things to find out what I enjoy and could stick at. Tried Clubbercise this morning and will go will back (very fast so I couldn't quite keep up with routine, but physically wasn't as bad as I thought). I'm now spurred on to try new things though so looking for inspiration/ideas.

I guess my fitness wise if anything is withing a couple of miles of home I walk instead of car, go on a bike ride or hill walk (very steep😣) each every couple of months, and do a weekly conditioning class and have two part-time active jobs.

Don’t panic - we can only do what we can do. Working full time, having caring responsibilities and keeping on top of house stuff means there just isn’t the time for amount of exercise that posters on here are doing. Just try and do a bit - 15-20 minutes of a YouTube video here and there is better than nothing.

I’m the same age as you and fit all the above in by getting up early my gym opens at 6am and I’m there pretty much as it opens weight session is heavy lifting with a program lasting about an hour if not a little longer. The cycling there and back is quicker than going by car because of traffic. Reformer pilates again I do a 6am class going early works for me it’s then all done and has never been an issue with family life or work.

I do Parkrun, good aerobics, very friendly & social
Martial arts is good for flexibility, balance, reflexes & core, also very social
And I have weights at home for when the weather is truly foul.

Your gym is opening at the same time as I’m getting ready for work. Perhaps you don’t have a 45 minute commute, dogs to sort and caring responsibilities before you leave for work to ensure you’re at your desk ready to start at 8?

Caroline Girvan

Iron series, Epic, Heat

Dont need to leave the house. Best shape of my life!

m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhu1QCKrfgPWmStsg7imo5EQ0zmkxymJ2

Thanks for your replies. I'm going to go through them now and see what inspiration I get.

One or two said I need to focus on my diet. I'm already on that, no refined carbs, less sugars, food fats in terms of nuts, avocados and greek yogurt. I'm on an NHS programme, which has taught me there are a number of factors that can addressed to re-address my sugar levels - and exercise, sleep and stress are also factors, so trying to do what I can. Either way, even if exercise isn't what's affecting my sugar levels, can do any harm to do extra.

I’m amazed how much you are all doing , it’s a good week for me if I’ve done 2/3 5k runs and a couple of walks !

Yoga (ashtanga, hot or vinyasa) 5-6 times a week, Caroline Girvan 5 times a week. Walk an average of 15,000 steps a day. I think the current thinking is that you don't need to do anything specifically cardio now - weight training is more important. My yoga does get my heart rate up, but that's not why I do it.

I used to run and loved it, but can't now. I cycle to work meetings.

Caroline Girvan's IRON series. Start off with very light weights.

Where is the best place to get the weights and what weight do you recommend starting with?

Bodypump 2/3 times a week yoga once a week and run 2/3 times a week. I’m still fat but really fit and my lower back pain has almost gone due to body pump

Running, yoga, spin and a little strength. Probably need to do more weights.

Would love to do more Pilates but the class times at my gym never quite work out.

Running and weights (Petra Genco)

Apple fitness hiit and strength and yoga. Walk a lot. I do what I can. Comparison isn't helpful but threads like this make me feel rubbish!

I'm 56 this year. weights class in a gym 3 (ish) mornings a week. Been doing it for a year after 8 or so years of only doing a bit of walking now and then even though I used to be fit in my youth.

Much stronger, lost weight, gained muscle, lost fat.

I'm aiming to add some more walking, I used to do an hour's circuit after work that involved a couple of hills...so will go back to that.

I also do a Pilates class as I'm increasingly unbendy.

@AutumnMagpies
Where is the best place to get the weights and what weight do you recommend starting with?
If you've never used weights before and doing home workouts I suggest using tins of beans or similar until you get the feel for it. You can also use plastic water bottles.
I got my weights (and bench and barbell ) off fb marketplace. Worth a look.

People were getting shut of weights ( and bread making machines ) after covid as they had good intentions that they didn't keep.
Other wise places like the Range, Argos etc sell weights.

3/4 days strength, 2/3 cardio. Some Pilates.

54 soon
Strength training 3 x week
Pilates 1 x week
5 k run 2-3 x week
Walk about 70K steps a week (some just days, some slow days)
Se

There’s gyms that open 24/7 I own dogs and chickens and family that I also care for. I make the time yes I have a job that I also start early. I don’t make excuses health and well being are on my priority list.

Plus I’m in the process of moving house complete tomorrow.

Started with body pump. You lose muscle mass and bone density as you age, so no-brainer.
Then added HIIT for cardiovascular.
Have recently started Boxfit and aim to do 2km run x 1 or x 2 /week (before a class). Time goes quick when you' re learning a new skill.....
Walk whenever I can and am on feet all day.
Like 'active' holidays (lots of walking or skiing) and swim lots when on summer hols.

You should have checked your facts before posting, because you are wrong. Demonstrably wrong according to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme course I went on. Diet is only one small part of it, and there's a whole host of other factors at play including exercise, stress levels, sleep patterns and others.

Perhaps leave the answers to people who know what they are talking about next time.

I’m 51. I lift heavy weights 3 times a week, run 30 minutes 3 times a week, do a 30 minute HIIT workout once a week, and do a spin class once a week.
i go for walks too, but I count that as active recovery time.
I’d like to do some sort of yoga/pilates once a week, it’s just finding the time to fit it in.

Strength training is probably more important than cardio once you are perimenopausal and beyond.

I'm in my 60's but have been doing this since my 50's. I do Park Run once a week and another 4/5k on my own. I swim twice a week, 2 yoga sessions and a pilates session. I walk everywhere that I can, take the stairs rather than lifts and escalators.

Gyms open 24 hours a day? Yes, in some towns and cities - not everyone lives near one.

Im amazed that people can cycle to a gym, do an hour class at 6am, cycle home, get showered and ready, dogs walked, kids up, drive 45 minutes and be at their desks for 8. Time must run differently for them.

I’ve got it really easy - no responsibilities except for my cat, 24-hour gym 10 mins walk away, WFH, but I’d have to get up ridiculously early to be at my desk for 8.

9 after a 1 hour workout plus shower and snack, yes.