Mad to join gym at 54?

[Josie1968]

Hi all

I told my husband today that I intend to join a gym, I’m 54 years old. He said ‘you must be mad you’re nearly 60!’ This upset me really.. I feel young in my mind and I want to get a bit fitter. I’m not overweight but feel I could do to tone up a bit. I’m hoping for some strengthening exercises, maybe weights.

Is he right, am I mad?!

Thanks!

J x

I’ve just joined one at 54. Been going 6 weeks, it’s a weights focused gym. I’ve found it’s all sorts, shapes and ages, it’s fine. My husband looked a bit WTF but hasn’t said anything. Enjoy.

Does your dh think there is an upper limit on what age you can be a gym member?

I go to a private gym and there are many people over 60 and in their 50s. Many do stuff like hyrox etc

I joined one at 50. Was sporty up to 30 when babies arrived and except for lots of walking did nothing until 50 . Now in my 60s. I just love it. It actually makes me feel young again. And if l have to run anywhere it's great not to be breathless or carrying heavy shopping etc. Feel strong. And my kids are impressed. Do it!!

Tell him you're going to train to be a powerlifter given he's being a dick about it (and actually do be one too). The age classes go up up Masters 6, M1 is 40-49, M2 50-59 and so on. So you're not even on the older side of Masters, a long way to go yet!

Frankly, you’d be mad not to! Do you know which gym you want to join? If you’ve got a choice near you, worth going to have a look at a few and see which you like the feel of.

Ive just turned 55, and do body pump classes in the gym. There is a huge mix of ages, shapes and sizes. I think it’s worth trying to find somewhere that does a range of classes, as you might find a passion for Pilates or yoga as well as the weights.

Statistically you’ve got at least another 30 years to live, and the stronger you are physically, the more life you will have in those years!

He”a wrong. Now is exactly the right time to go to the gym. Go and don’t just do cardio. Get someone to write a resistance training program for you. Hands down it’s the best thing you can do for your long term health. I would recommend women of all ages lift weights, but especially those 40+ as you lose muscle mass and bone density as you age.

I’m a regular gym goer in my 50’s, I intend to go more when I retire, I enjoy classes more - Body Pump, Core work - try and fit in yoga and Pilates - as well as building up Bone density, you need to be able to remain flexible.

I'm over 50 and have just joined a gym, I'm loving it. Ignore this man.

There are lots of people at my gym at least 70+

Not mad. This is when you really need strength and some cardio workouts. I was listening to a BBC sounds podcast on weights in older age, and you are a mere baby compared to the woman they had on!

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001npp4

You are absolutely not too old to join the gym at all. I joined the gym this summer. I used to love going, but after having 2 kids and working full time I could never find the time. I love it 😊 I'm 39, but there's loads of different people who go to the gym. There's a guy in his 80s and he's fitter than most of the 20 year olds who attend. In fact there's a lot of retired people who attend and they enjoy it for themselves. Just do it! You will not regret it.

I’m turning 50 next week and I’ve decided it’s the perfect time to join my local gym, for all the reasons on this thread!

I think the average age of gym members at my gym (or at least those I see attending regularly) is 50. However, I’ve been to other gyms full of teenagers (cheap and near to a college) so you might want to have a look around a flew gyms, at the time of
day you intend to go, before you sign up.

Go - the best time to join us now.
You can totally do it - good luck.
Remember that everyone there was in your shoes when they started.

The gym is for everyone. Mine has kids all the way through to people who must be in their 80s maybe even older.

Hell I'm 42 and joined a couple if years back. Feel bloody good for it too. Do it you won't stand out and even if you do no ones looking amd no one gives a shit! All just doing their own thing.

Theres entry of people older than me in my spin class and they are far better at it than I am.

Of course you can
I was 64 years young at the end of the pandemic
I felt so unfit after lockdown with eating cake and drinking tea while watching Netflix ,so I decided to start the gym best thing I ever did went from a size 16 to a 12 dress size
Still go to the gym 3 mornings a week and feel great
Go for it x

Of course not!! You’re smart. Weight training as you get older is just smart. Who gives a toss what anyone else thinks.

My mum's 73 and is in the gym about 5 days a week!

I have gone to a gym regularly most of my life and I'm nearly 48, can't imagine giving it up in six years' time. And 54 is not "nearly 60". My dad used to go 3 x a week in his 70s. I used to run with a group and there were quite a few people who took up running in their 70s and found they were pretty good at it too.

So great to hear all these inspiring posts thank you. Only thing I’m worried about is my knees are a bit dodgy! But maybe strengthening the muscles around my knee will help. Also got a bit of a prolapse going on but been referred to gynaecology for that!!x

Things like the elliptical trainer are great if you don't want to run or jump because of knee issues.

I'm 53 and run 5k twice a week ( only started running in my 40's) and my 74 year old mum goes to the gym a few times a week. Your DH has a very strange attitude about this. Does he exercise at all?

Maybe he’s saying it to give himself an excuse not to join you?

That's crazy. Ignore him. Get fit and healthy and your quality of life now and into old age will probably be great.

I go to a weights based gym and I am on the verge of collecting my state pension. I am by no means the oldest there. I would say the age range is late 20s to early 80s. Your husband is being unpleasant. How physically fit is he?