Am I too old to exercise properly...?

[MarianForrester]

Ok, so I am 44 and haven't den any really proper exercise for a while. Before that I was reasonably fit, and went to classes at the gym, like boxercise, combat and attack.

I am not thin, but not gigantically fat.

Anyway, I decide I must regain fitness, and my thickening waistline, and went to a circuit class locally.

Well, omfg, I thought I was going to die! Felt actually sick! And well sore for a good two days...!

Is this cos I am too old? I have always just bounced back into exercise fairly easily before.

And should I go back to the evil class..?

Advice welcome, thank you

I am nearly 43 and do some pretty hard code exercise so I don't think it's an age thing. If you haven't been doing much then circuits are tough so it's not surprising you found it tough. I do have a few nagging things now that I didn't have a decade ago (dodgy back) but I can work round it. Unless you have a specific injury or health problem then I would say keep going and perhaps do a variety of stuff so your body is challenged but has time to adapt- so circuits one day, yoga the next and a run the day after that?

I joined a gym 3 years ago to lose weight. I took up running and got hooked. I'm now 51 and my knees are giving me problems at the moment, but just try to work around the issue with something that is easier on them.
Circuits are hard for pretty much everyone (assuming you give it your all) and two days later is the classic time to feel the effects particularly if you've just started.
You could either keep at it and it will get better, or find something you can ease into more gradually until you're body gets used to it again.

I am very limited in choice of classes because I live in back of beyond. I was excited to find a class so near, but disappointed I was so rubbish.

But maybe do just need to give it a bit more of a go and do my yoga DVDs in between. Could try running, but scared!

Thanks for advice. I really want to do this!

There are a few 70-year-olds in my yoga class and they manage fine! I'm 44 and one of the younger members (we live in a district with lots of older people). The older ladies don't do everything with the same vigour, but they can do shoulder stands OK! So go for it!

You're not too old. I'm in my late fifties, and still run, do weights and karate.

However, what I've found is that you really have to increase intensity gradually - and maintain it a steady level, to avoid injury. You will also start to find you need more recovery time after an intense session than you did when younger.

So when the aches and pains go, get back to the class and have another go.

Definitely not. I am 40 plus and a hardcore exerciser. I spin 3 times a week, run once a week, do a circuits class once a week and did Tough Mudder last year.

The ache you felt is DOMS = delayed onset muscle soreness after unaccustomed or strenuous exercise. Perfectly normal (and painful!)
A circuit class as your first class is pretty hardcore. I feel sick after circuits...
Don't give up - you will love it and will feel better about yourself both physically and emotionally.

44 is not too old for exercise! My friend's dad was the over 80s fell-running champion - those are some hard core fit people, regardless of age.

You ramped straight into hard exercise & feel a bit sore? That is not age, that is to be expected. Keep walking out the stiffness & do stretches & keep going.

Keep going! You can't possibly be as rubbish as me.
I can remember how awful I felt at first (after ds2 first time back in a class) but now I'm fine. Slight aches, but good ones.

I had my friend in hysterics because I couldn't lift my legs to get into my car 3 days after a super intense class. What a mess. I had to lift my thighs up with my arms!

I have to remind myself not to try to keep up with the younger people who go and to listen to my body.

Run too. All I can fit in is a 20-30 minute dash now and again, but it still makes me feel fab afterwards.

Walking, yoga, pilates are all good for getting back into the way of being more active.

My mum is 58 and goes to the gym every morning, she does weights, circuits, a range of classes, group training - to name just a few - she's amazing and far fitter than me (I never exercise and think I might actually die if I attempt any ha ha) so it's definitely not an age thing.

I'm 44 and just embarked on a new exercise routine. Went to the gym 6 times last week, spinning, Pilates, boxercise and gym. I'm 2 stone overweight.

Before I started I was creaky, stiff, miserable and feeling oh so old.

Stick with it.

Ok, thank you all! I will stick with it, and get myself fit again.

It was just a bit scary, feeling soooo rubbish, but will do better this week

Sounds perfectly normal for someone getting into/back into exercise whatever your age!

I'm 42 and try to exercise 6 days a week. Dance, bikram yoga, gym (bike and weights), pilates/ballet barre, yoga, gym again. For me the key is to do different things both to maintain my interest and to get the best out of my sessions - so some is more cardio based, some is more focussed on my core, etc. I think the most important thing is to enjoy what you are doing and enjoy what your body can achieve. Go for it!!

absolutely not too old, but there's no need to go hell when your fitness levels are low, just challenge yourself a little at a time so that your body has chance to adapt.
Evolution not revolution
just keep at it and you will see changes

Im 48 and I do a fair bit of exercise, certainly more than when I was in my 30's

I'm in my early 50s and just getting back into cycling. That first time out is always agony - second time not so bad; third time... as if you'd never been away. Or so I find. Although I can no longer run (dodgy knees) I did take up running in my 40s and eventually lost nearly 4 stone... I was never fast but it definitely improved my quality of life no end! Now cycling's all that interests me, exercise-wise so cycling is what I do. Find the thing you love and do it! It may be dependent on a class/what's available where you live - but other things like couch potato - 5K, or cycling - anyone can do any time, anywhere...

I find cycling is kinder on my knees; I can get further, do more, and get to play with toys (my bikes) plus it makes me feel like I'm 10 again as when I was younger I did a lot of cycling and touring. Going downhill I feel 10. Uphill.... about 100. But it's still fun!

definitely not too old! I coach several people that are over 40, my oldest client is 60. Weightlifting, gymnastics, high intensity cardio. Some of the 45 year olds at our box absolutely sweep the floor with the younger members both in terms of skills and load. Age is just a number.

Actually no, age isn't just a number.

It is harder and you have to be more pragmatic about building up strength and endurance etc more slowly. I'm 51 and if I overdo it the recovery time is a bit longer - I can't risk anything because knackering my back or knees or something is more likely than it was 30 years ago.
But it is perfectly possible to get really fit if you take your time and listen to your body. I have a personal trainer and that helps me enormously. She pushes me and I see it as an investment -for example my increasingly strong abs and legs have sorted out the back pain I was developing.
It's great. I enjoy being able to do more than some of the 20somethings at the gym.
But if you don't allow for your age and pay attention to niggles you will cause yourself problems.

WinelsPaleo great video...love all those aged 60+ doing unassisted pull ups. I am still a long way off that!

I did my first half marathon 3 weeks before I turned 45 ... Not aiming for a full marathon but would like to do a half under 2 hours.

44 ? You're still a young lass !
Seriously, you'll improve a number of health factors.
Don't worry, anyone at any age has major muscle aches when starting an exercise program.

I'm 58 and I train 5-6 days per week at the gym: HIIT spin, heavy lifting, crossfit, boxing.
I train with men and women 20-35 years younger than I am - and usually beat them in contests. It's fitness, strength and discipline that count most.

Keep up the circuit classes and return to your boxercise too. They are all excellent HIIT and exactly what you need to regain your fitness.
Try to train at least 3 x weekly.

Older exercisers need to be more careful though:

. to avoid injuries, especially joints, because recovery time is longer than for the 20 somethings.
Middle-aged runners especially seem to be sick or injured a lot, so if you want to run, do build up speed and distance carefully.

. when lifting heavier barbells (more than say 40 kg) because women who are over 40 and / or have given birth have a higher risk of pelvic floor / prolapse injuries.

Thanks for all the advice - there is hope for me!

I will just need to find something to do. That class is no good: I missed it because I was moving house stuff (currently on the removal exercise programme) and they were running up and down the street In my village Just can't face that in my current unfit state.

There is so little around me. Will maybe have to try running, or pluck up courage to get out on my bike. I am quite lazy though, so always do better in a class.

I think I was shocked, because I've had time off exercise before, and just bounced back into it, really. In fact, part of why I quit boxercise was cos it was too easy! Ha, that'll learn me.

Anyway, since loads of you are doing it, I shall keep at it, and hopefully soon be back to at least reasonable fitness levels.