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Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

50+ what exercise do you do?

218 replies

Floofydawg · 02/02/2023 11:44

Inspired by a thread on AIBU, I'd like to understand from fellow over 50's what exercise they do. Interested to see if my activity is above average and whether I should be doing other stuff. I tend to gravitate towards what I enjoy more as that means I'll keep up with it. Conscious I should probably do some weight training but I find it boring. So here's what I do in a typical week.

At least two swims of at least 1k
2-3 45 minute spin classes, one of which is followed by a slightly shorter swim
A 30 minute dog walk most days

I have a gym membership so could do anything - lots of classes available.

What do you do?

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 02/02/2023 11:45

Two exercise classes a week, and try to do 10,000 steps a day.

Saisong · 02/02/2023 11:48

2 x 30 minute you tube cardio/HIIT videos
Usually a long walk at the weekend with DH
A couple of sessions of vigorous vaccuming 😆

Worldgonecrazy · 02/02/2023 11:51

Caroline Girvan 4 times per week. She is a YouTube fitness guru who does functional fitness and strength training with full body conditioning and HIIT thrown in. The videos are between 30 minutes and one hour.

Two x 5 km run with hill training per week.

Walk Monday to Friday 3km (winter) 5km summer.

One complete rest day.

I didn’t start exercising until mid 40s and have been mind blown by the benefits.

OntarioBagnet · 02/02/2023 11:52

Weights once or twice a week in the gym
pilates 2x a week
2x spin classes a week
cycling or an extra spin class at the weekend

Teawaster · 02/02/2023 17:28

I'm 60 and run 50 to 55 miles a week and go to strength and conditioning classes twice a week

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 02/02/2023 17:31

3 x 5k a week run. I hate exercise. Need to add Pilates or strength back in. Sigh.

Silkandvelvet · 02/02/2023 17:31

If you find doing weights boring, try doing it in a class. If your gym has it, Body Pump is a class where you lift weights to music, and work all the muscle groups. It's good fun.

HundredMilesAnHour · 02/02/2023 17:36

I do weight training / lifting 3 - 4 times per week, walk at least 8km per day, then other bits of high intensity cardio/intervals and some mobility work a couple of times a week. I have long Covid so exercise much less than I used to. Hopefully with time I'll be able to increase my exercise levels again.

Parky04 · 02/02/2023 17:38

Age 51. Run 25k a week (treadmill) and also do resistance training 5 times a week.

AuntieStella · 02/02/2023 17:41

I took up running when I was about 50

I'm not terribly fit at the moment, and want to get back to where I was in 2019 - what I called "half-marathon fit" which means that if someone said to me any day 'you're running a half on Sunday' my response would be "cool, where?" not "aaaaaaagh"

Also walk a lot (leisure as well as errands), like messing about on the water and do some Pilates and yoga classes. I should probably up the latter.

Greatly · 02/02/2023 17:43

I'm currently learning to weightlift and I love it. Ride horses. Run a bit but I hate it so might stop. About to start spin class.

HelenHywater · 02/02/2023 17:50

Caroline Girvan maybe 5 times a week, vinyasa/ashtanga yoga 3-5 times a week and gym 3 times a week (running usually). Walk at least 10,000 steps a day.

I ride my bike to meetings as well if it's not too cold and rainy (because I need to look a bit presentable when I get there). Usually 10km each way.

lljkk · 02/02/2023 17:59

I went over bad on ankle a month ago so still waiting for that to feel better, hmph, before I run again.

I don't do classes.
Walking, Swimming, cycling, gardening, sawing, housework
kayaking in summer, running in winter
About 14 hours/week, maybe?

LaurelGrove · 02/02/2023 18:04

I cycle to work and back three days a week - about 15/16km in total or walk a chunk of the way so those days are 12,000 steps.
One personal trainer session; one online session.
One run a week, sometimes two. Hate running but it is convenient and quick.

PacificState · 02/02/2023 18:08

I mean, bloody well done to you all but I can't help thinking these replies are not representative! I do no structured exercise, maybe walk 3/4000 steps a day on average.

amerthecat · 02/02/2023 18:08

Walk 4 - 5 miles every day.

User65 · 02/02/2023 18:08

Im 51, I walk each day - either to and from work or going for a walk if a day off/weekend - at least 11000 steps a day, plus a 20 to 30 minute Pahla B workout on youtibe

LeatherSoledShoes · 02/02/2023 18:10

2 gym sessions a week = 30 mins on the x trainer, bike or treadmill, plus 30 reps on 6 weight machines. 3 x yoga sessions.

LeatherSoledShoes · 02/02/2023 18:12

I do very few steps on a normal day Pacific, probably 4000 max. I enjoy going to the gym/yoga. I've made a few really good friends at the gym.

Thighdentitycrisis · 02/02/2023 18:14

This thread is depressing me😁

Run 30 mins 2-3 times a week
walk to work and back (2 miles) 4 times a week
trying to add a swim once a week
I need to do weights as I’m very flabby

hattie43 · 02/02/2023 18:17

PacificState · 02/02/2023 18:08

I mean, bloody well done to you all but I can't help thinking these replies are not representative! I do no structured exercise, maybe walk 3/4000 steps a day on average.

I think this is far more the norm . I'm over 50 and do two classes a week
and 2 good long dog walks .
I don't know anyone over 50 that does the amount of exercise listed here . Primarily because when could you find the time if you work FT.

unsync · 02/02/2023 18:20

Pilates - strength, balance and mobility. It is strangely enjoyable.

5128gap · 02/02/2023 18:21
  1. Walk briskly for 30 minutes a day. This is enough to keep my weight in check at BMI 21, but I know its not enough for all round health. My aim is to add in some yoga to help me tone and weights for strength as I'm very weak. But I can't seem to find the motivation as I don't enjoy either.
Gwenhwyfar · 02/02/2023 18:22

PacificState · 02/02/2023 18:08

I mean, bloody well done to you all but I can't help thinking these replies are not representative! I do no structured exercise, maybe walk 3/4000 steps a day on average.

It's posted in the exercise topic I suppose.

Gwenhwyfar · 02/02/2023 18:23

"Walk briskly for 30 minutes a day. This is enough to keep my weight in check at BMI 21"

Nah, it's what you eat that keeps your weight in check.

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