If you are in your 60s and 70s and used to exercise, are you better off that people your age that don’t do as much?

[Londonder]

Just curious as I don’t know anyone who is 60+ and used to working out regularly. I‘d like to hear how working out regularly throughout life is helping you being in good shape at this stage of your life. And what do you do?
My parents led a very sedentary life and now that they are in their late 70s they are not able to do much, even a 20 min walk is difficult to manage. I want to do my best to avoid that.

I think a lot has to do with luck, as in general health as well as genetics.
I know people in their 90s who have lived a sedentary lifestyle and are still enjoying a good quality of life, l also know people much younger who ran miles for years and now not in a good way due to damage and stress on legs..
I personally try to keep a.good balance, l am fit and active, always have been but now in mid 50s accept my body gets tired quicker, maybe due to menopause so l put equal importance on rest and sleep, as well as healthy diet.

now in mid 50s accept my body gets tired quicker, maybe due to menopause so l put equal importance on rest and sleep, as well as healthy diet

No, don't do that - unless you truly believe and accept that you are 'over the hill'. It really doesn't need to be like that.

I'm nearly 70 and have been told that I ski like a 14-year-old. Tremendous fun, still. Yes, it requires 'work', but that's fun too. My daily workouts invigorate me and set me up for the rest of the day. Try it 🤗

Agree with you @HabberdasheryAddict, just cos your in your 50s you don't have to accept slowing down unless there is something else at play. I only began serious exercise by starting cycling at 50 - I will now give the 50s yr olds (and younger) a decent race any day out. Began properly running in the last 2 years & I now run a Parkrun each week. Currently at 33mins and it's getting easier & faster with a new PB almost monthly, would love to get to 30 mins. I'm touching 60 years shortly

Rest, sleep and a healthy diet are just as important as exercise though. Not more important but as important . I don't think that poster is wrong at all.

Really? My gym is full of people over 60 every day of the week. In my Zumba class I'm the youngest by ten years and they've all been going for years.

My DM (80 years old) moved from an old house with a very steep staircase, which she pulled herself up every night, to a modern one-bed for the elderly with ramp to front door.
She just seemed to lose the strength to climb steps from then on.

We do lose strength with age. so use it or lose it is the only option. But unfortunately that is often due to injury which slows people down and they never get back to their earlier fitness.