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Original poster

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:
ivykaty44 · 03/02/2023 17:21

the fitting it in I find easy now tat Im older

30 minutes walk to the gym first thing, gym session 60 minutes, then 30 minutes walk home. shower change and 20 minutes cycle to work and then 20 minutes cycle home. Fit in the other stuff in the evenings and at weekends

Im not virtuose but want a comfortable body to live in during my dotage - I really don't want diabetes, or to have a body that refuse to work well

Cranarc · 03/02/2023 17:29

Weight training for an hour 4 days per week.
Boxing for an hour 1 day per week.
Light cardio/stretching/mobility for an hour 1 or 2 days per week.

lljkk · 03/02/2023 17:48

My fitbit counts steps when I'm cycling, I wonder why it wouldn't when someone is spinning. I wish it didn't count steps when cycling, ridiculous that it does.

Nimbostratus100 · 03/02/2023 17:50

trail running, marathons and ultraruns

ivykaty44 · 03/02/2023 18:00

My fitbit counts steps when I'm cycling,

my phone does but my fit bit doesn't and neither did during spin

elastamum · 03/02/2023 18:02

I ride, muck out 3 horses and walk the dog. I do about 15000 steps a day and 300 intensity minutes a week.

Teawaster · 03/02/2023 18:12

I'm retired now but I still ran every day when I was working full time with twins. Not so many long miles but I still fitted in a run every day.
I do get how it must be difficult for some, particularly single mums with little support.

Thenewsisnext · 03/02/2023 22:02

Body pump twice a week, running club twice a week, long lone runs twice a week. Love ultramarathons. I'm late 50's and very lucky that I really love exercise, makes me feel so strong. Great social too.

Thenewsisnext · 03/02/2023 22:02

Sorry, am self employed, not many hours so can work around it

Olidora · 03/02/2023 22:08

I feel very happy if I have walked 10,000 a day …definitely think that it depends on how much time you have and how bothered you are !

MsMartini · 04/02/2023 09:24

Popping back to say, @Floofydawg , if I were you and belonged to a gym with decent classes, and not sure what to do - I would try lots and see what I liked!

I've really enjoyed eg boxing that I never thought I would and also I think the main things with exercise are that a) you enjoy it, b) the logistics work, c) some form of commitment/accountability/social side that means you do it on meh days and d) a sensible and flexible mix of cardio, strength and rest/recovery. A mix of classes in a local gym would tick all those, and give you the chance to try new stuff and see if you want to take any of it further. I train strength quite seriously now, but started with perfectly ordinary circuit type classes at decent high street gym, and discovered a whole new world.

Gwenhwyfar · 04/02/2023 10:37

"I literally did that on Wednesday this week (45 min. drive each way) & still got 11600 steps in according to Fitbit. Ok, so the nearest cheap parking is a mile away, and that got me 2 x 20 minute walks."

So you didn't do 'just that' did you. It makes a big difference. People who park a bit away from work or who take public transport are much more active than people who drive door to door even without having to do any actual "exercise".

I used to do 16k steps some days just by going to work on the train and working in a big building where I had to go down to reception several times a day. Now in a smaller building it's much harder and during the pandemic my steps went down to under 2k.
I really think that for some people, like me, having activity as part of normal life is much easier than doing lots of 'exercise' like the people on this thread do. WFH is terrible for many people's health for that reason (although I see that for others it gives them more opportunity to exercise).

Original poster
Floofydawg · 04/02/2023 10:39

MsMartini · 04/02/2023 09:24

Popping back to say, @Floofydawg , if I were you and belonged to a gym with decent classes, and not sure what to do - I would try lots and see what I liked!

I've really enjoyed eg boxing that I never thought I would and also I think the main things with exercise are that a) you enjoy it, b) the logistics work, c) some form of commitment/accountability/social side that means you do it on meh days and d) a sensible and flexible mix of cardio, strength and rest/recovery. A mix of classes in a local gym would tick all those, and give you the chance to try new stuff and see if you want to take any of it further. I train strength quite seriously now, but started with perfectly ordinary circuit type classes at decent high street gym, and discovered a whole new world.

Thanks, food for thought. I've tried other classes in the past and never stuck at them which is why I go back to old favourites.

OP posts:
MsMartini · 04/02/2023 10:42

Old favourite are good 😀. I try to give things a couple of goes as find the first time is often skewed by unfamiliarity, but some things just don't work for me, and that's fine too! Now I've found the thing I love, I have to resist adding too mnuch else in.

MidnightMeltdown · 04/02/2023 10:53

Wow! I'm impressed! Im in my 30s and don't do any of this!

How in earth do you find the time to do all this, work, do life admin, keep a house and have a social life?! Do you have full time jobs?

I've always been naturally slim without needing to do conscious exercise, but have noticed over the last couple of years that my weight has slowly started creeping up, so clearly I need to do more. I'm just not sure how to fit it in.

MidnightMeltdown · 04/02/2023 10:54

Thenewsisnext · 03/02/2023 22:02

Body pump twice a week, running club twice a week, long lone runs twice a week. Love ultramarathons. I'm late 50's and very lucky that I really love exercise, makes me feel so strong. Great social too.

Do you not worry about running making your face saggy? This is my concern with high impact exercise.

custardbear · 04/02/2023 10:56

2x PT mini classes a week specifically for peri-menopausal and above aged women. I try to cycle with a little club on Sundays too we do around 15 miles.
I need to do a bit more but find it hard to find time. Have back problems with hyper mobility and menopause bad mix so walking is hard as my back gets so sore but hoping for more dog walks as it gets better .. and she's off lead as she pulls

Thenewsisnext · 04/02/2023 11:02

MidnightMeltdown · 04/02/2023 10:54

Do you not worry about running making your face saggy? This is my concern with high impact exercise.

Show quote history

I'm not sure quite where to start with this tbh. The multiple benefits to my life that running has brought are just immeasurable, the idea that I wouldn't do it just in case it made my face saggy are quite honestly laughable..

Changes17 · 04/02/2023 11:02

Did couch to 5k at 45 ish. Now early 50s, run for 30-35 mins twice a week. Pilates once a week. Would like to be running three times a week. Walk rather than drive at least a few times a week.

Could only fit it in once youngest was at primary school, so more possible in mid-40s than the years before. Also easier - but also more necessary - because I wfh. It’s just a habit now and one I try to just do rather than thinking too much about it.

Changes17 · 04/02/2023 11:07

On the question of saggy faces - hasn’t had that effect. Big upside is it helps me concentrate after I’ve run, also good to run when feeling stressed because it makes me feel better.

MidnightMeltdown · 04/02/2023 11:26

Changes17 · 04/02/2023 11:07

On the question of saggy faces - hasn’t had that effect. Big upside is it helps me concentrate after I’ve run, also good to run when feeling stressed because it makes me feel better.

Where do you run? Do you go to a park or do it on the streets?

Do you not get men tooting and leering if you stick to streets?

This is the other issue that I have with running. I live on the outskirts of a city, and finding somewhere to go that isn't a road, but also not so quiet that I don't feel safe in the evening, isn't that easy.

I'm not a morning person so getting up early to do it before work would not work for me!

Original poster
Floofydawg · 04/02/2023 11:29

@MidnightMeltdown it's not just about being slim though. I'm far from slim. But there are massive health benefits from being fit.

OP posts:
Gwenhwyfar · 04/02/2023 12:30

"How in earth do you find the time to do all this, work, do life admin, keep a house and have a social life?! Do you have full time jobs?"

I'm also wondering. I don't have children and work fewer hours than most people, but still I have an activity every Wednesday evening and some Tuesdays. I often use Monday and/or Thursday to shop and batch cook and on the weekends I go out socialising and have lie-ins.

Are you all getting up very early?

TodayInahurry · 04/02/2023 12:31

Ride my horse, walk my dog twice, gardening, Pilates once a week

Original poster
Floofydawg · 04/02/2023 12:37

@Gwenhwyfar no lie-ins on a weekend for me. 9.30 spin class to start the day. Makes me feel a whole lot better than lieing in bed all morning.

OP posts: