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Original poster

Exercise classes for unfit middle aged woman

29 replies

antimatter · 18/03/2018 16:19

Which classes are easier for unfit middle aged women?
I can get my way around yoga class. That's about it.
I am terrified to join classes because from what I see accidentally seeing them when I am passing by everyone is very fit.

Where do I start?
I can run 30 min very slowly but this isn't very aerobic as is not faster than a fast walk. I walk a lot. That's about it about my fitness abilities
What are your tips for someone like me?

OP posts:
MrsJoshDun · 18/03/2018 16:32

BodyPump? It’s not bouncy up and down aerobic but it does still get your HR up. You can start with small weights and build up. Weights are good for you. It’s not big weights even when more experienced as it’s lots of reps so good for toning.

MrsFrTedCrilly · 18/03/2018 16:36

I do a ballet class, it’s great fun and my flexibility and shape has really improved. I was totally allergic to exercise but this spurred me on to do couch to 5k and improve my fitness. Try dance!

Bluntness100 · 18/03/2018 16:36

Is your objective just to get fit or do you need to lose weight also?
When you say middle aged how old are you, this can be anything from 40 to 65 depending on who you ask.
Are you a member of a gym?
Why does it need to be a class?

SheSparkles · 18/03/2018 16:37

I started from a place of less than zero a couple of years ago with Pilates, which if you can do yoga, you’re definitely capable of. Funnily enough my next class (amd still my favourite) was body pump, purely because there’s no jumping about and wobbling involved. It’s actually quite aerobic once you get going (especially when you’re doing s back track). If you want to exercise alone at home, I would seriously recommend Joe Wicks (The Body Coach) HIITs -there are loads on YouTube

AnotherOriginalUsername · 18/03/2018 16:40

Most classes are mixed ability and a good instructor will make adaptions to suit everyone (either due to fitness, injury, disability, whatever).

Try a few things. Take a friend along - the best exercise is one you enjoy. Personally, my favourite for fitness is spinning.

EnormousDormouse · 18/03/2018 16:41

When I've had a break, I start back with Pilates and Yoga, then add Body Pump, then RPM/spin after a few weeks.
Keep the weight low at first at Pump (no matter what any overenthusiastic instructors try to get you to do) , and don't increase the resistance too much at first at RPM (I just get used to it and do it to get my heart rate up for 45 mins, then after a month or so I start thinking about adding more resistance)

And you are not that unfit if you can run for 30 mins (no matter how slow) - I could only dream of that!

FanSpamTastic · 18/03/2018 16:56

I do a mix of body balance (yoga, Pilates ish to music) and a body pump type class. I could not get motivated in the gym but if I go to a class I have to get through it. I saw a personal trainer for a while which was useful too.

SaltedCaramelPopcorn · 18/03/2018 16:57

If you like yoga, how about body balance? Yoga based moves but more pace than a gentle yoga class. We have all age ranges and fitness levels in the class I go to - think the oldest guy is mid 70s!

Original poster
antimatter · 18/03/2018 17:14

Thanks everyone for your comments! All are very useful.
I need to get fitter. I built up to the very slow jogging through walks. It is interesting how much difference walking of a dog and commuting by train instead of a car does. I was very enthusiastic with my running (done perhaps 10 20-30 min runs in November and then got a cold and had 4 in total since!, last one 3 weeks ago).
I am overweight (BMI of 34.8) but because I have been starting and stopping being more active over the last 4 years I am much fitter 51 year old than I was when I was 47. But I am nowhere as fit I I was when I was 30, then I was going on mountaineering trips every 2-3 weekends and loving it.

I would love to find 2 or 3 classes I like and carry on. With yoga for me is always dependent on the teacher, I prefer Hatha yoga with teachers typically from the British Wheel of Yoga.

I need to loose weight but building muscles is on top of my list, not sure if aerobic exercise is more important for me. Can both be achieved in let say 2 classes a week?
I know myself and I won't be able to find time for more than 2.
I haven't got gym exercise pass yet but maybe as one of you suggested I better try different classes first to see if I can choose few I like and afterwards look for a gym with those classes.
I am not very good at swimming at all but like doing it.

OP posts:
Original poster
antimatter · 18/03/2018 17:17

I like the idea of ballet class! I'll look one up now.

OP posts:
rainbowfudgee · 18/03/2018 17:21

At my gym, the aqua fit classes are mainly 40+ women. It's a good gentle exercise. Yoga is great too and in my class there are all ages from 18-70.

chipsandpeas · 18/03/2018 17:22

im a fat, unfit 40yr old and love zumba, im so uncoordinated so some classes make me feel like shit but zumba it doesnt matter as long as you keep moving thats the main thing

Moominfan · 18/03/2018 17:24

Zumba is really popular for good reasons. Really fun it's not like a workout. Aerobic stuff is important. Exercise for the heart and cardiovascular system.

Daisy03 · 18/03/2018 17:27

I would definitely say body pump if you want to do resistance training/build muscle, you can start slowly with low weights and just increase as you feel stronger

KittenBeast · 18/03/2018 17:28

Do you have space to do home workouts? That's how I started and it's how I'll stay.

thanksamillion · 18/03/2018 17:31

What about doing a back to netball course? They're good for overall fitness and the exercise is sort of incidental so you don't notice it so much. I did one two years and now play regularly for a club.

Original poster
antimatter · 18/03/2018 17:34

I have use of sitting room floor, can move my furniture and exercise at home
can you recommend anything not too strenuous?
if it's too hard I am not motivated to get to get back to it

my dog and cats like to join me on the mat and that makes yoga exercises a bit difficult Smile

I've never really done Pilates but I know people swear by it

OP posts:
Original poster
antimatter · 18/03/2018 17:35

I've never played netball, I grew up in Europe and played volleyball, basketball and handball but would love to play team sport!

OP posts:
greathat · 18/03/2018 17:37

I do aquazumba, it's good fun

dementedma · 18/03/2018 17:39

I struggle to motivate myself to do any exercise and am 54.
i have done yoga, pilates and aquarobics but never really stuck at them for any length of time. The first two can be a bit boring. Aquarobics is quite good fun and lots of other overweight people there

Original poster
antimatter · 18/03/2018 17:40

I've seen aquazumba near me, I'll check it out
ballet beginners class is a bit drive away but doable, I'll call them tomorrow

OP posts:
NainAGP · 18/03/2018 17:40

Zumba! It's great for the music alone, doesn't matter if you remember the steps or not, you can practise at home as well.

Original poster
antimatter · 18/03/2018 18:06

I am going to give zumba another try
one I attended twice was made of people who knew all steps and I felt lost :(

OP posts:
NainAGP · 18/03/2018 18:43

Well I go to Zumba Gold, everyone's all over the shop and doesn't mind, just a laugh. When I used to go in the evenings they were a bit more serious about it

nbee84 · 18/03/2018 19:55

For exercising at home there is a thread about Jessica Smith here The workouts look quite good.

I 2nd (3rd and 4th Grin) the bodypump classes if you can get to one. I went from a couple of months of pilates and Zumba classes at the age of 47 to trying bodypump. Loved it from the 1st class. Really good for toning and increasing your muscles. Not too aerobic (until you go heavy) but enough to get your heart rate up. Keep your weights low to start with and really watch the instructor for technique - it's worth looking up some technique videos and watching those too. Videos here

I'm 49 now and use some of the heaviest weights amongst the class participants and really get a sweat on!