Exercise approaching 60

[Rowena191]

I've been exercising regularly since having kids but as I'm approaching 60 it feels a bit different. I struggle to work out on consecutive days. I feel tired and achier than I used to. Any minor injury can turn into an ache that lasts for months which makes me over-cautious about stressing joints etc. I am definitely going to keep going as I get older but AIBU to modify what I do? I need a vote here.
YABU - don't give in, keep pushing yourself, use it or lose it
YANBU - rest is an important part of an exercise routine, it's sensible to avoid injury

YANBU - listen to your body! Reduce the weights you lift, reduce the impact e.g. use the cross trainer rather than run, swim etc.

I’m approaching 60 too and I understand - I think we should keep going. Push ourselves but not too much. I lift weights, do press ups 3 times a week and run most days - not very far but just enough to keep moving. Also I aim to walk 15000 steps a day. I honestly think we need to keep moving, I’m frightened of losing it.

Stick to low impact, don't exercise through injuries/pain, moderation. Pilates. Swimming. Walking. Keep up the weights.

The cross trainer is easy on your joints. My DH has artificial knees (after years of intensive running and rugby) his surgeon recommended the cross trainer. It’s been 15 years and no issues.

I am 57, never been an exercise person until this year. If I try running outside (couch to 5k) I eventually get an achey knee or shin. Since switching to the cross trainer I get zero injuries. Next up is Pilates.

Keep going!
I heard someone talking the other day on R4 that performance doesn't significantly fall until your 70's
We need all the muscle we can get but it seems sensible to space out weight training (depending on your split of course). I wouldn't do full body split on consecutive days but I've done shoulders and triceps today and doing back biceps tomorrow.

I'm not a fan of running but sometimes enjoy a run on grass (def not anywhere near a road or pavement). Uphill treadmill walks I like and proper countryside walks at weekends with DH.

We need to do high impact workouts for our bones.

Keep going. 60 is young, it not the time for armchair aerobics.

In my 60s and aim for Pilates for flexibility , weights for strength and swimming for cardio in one big session three times a week. I need my rest days between now but that combination seems to balance feeling good with potential injury

YANBU. Depending on what you do you may def need to dial it back abit, we all need more time to rest and recover as we age.
I alternate my exercise so I have light days and heavy days evenly spaced. Today is a heavy day with a run and weight training and tomorrow will be a light day with my rebounder and pilates. I also always make sure to have a couple of days a week with no planned exercise (maybe just going out for a walk or two).

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have had shin splints so I have reduced the impact. I enjoy weights, swimming, elliptical, walking. I tried running on grass but tripped and fell. The grass was soft so I wasn't badly hurt but I did jar my elbow and shoulder, so I am waiting to see if it settles down or flares up. I think that may have shaken my confidence. (Oh bless her, she's had a fall! 😂) Since I seem to be on the right lines I'm going to keep going. I enjoy yoga and pilates but haven't done them for a while so must get back to them. Use it or lose it it is!

I started training seriously and lifting heavy at 58 - at 65 I’m fitter than ever I was in my 20s and I can out lift women 20 years younger than me. At the moment I’m doing 5 x 1 hour sessions of weights mixed with HIIT/metcon per week and I’m feeling great. I stretch a lot I work on mobility as much as strength and I walk at least 15000 steps per day.

I had a knee cartilage tear a year ago while running very fast intervals on the treadmills (up to 16kph) so I really haven’t run for a year. And actually I’ve noticed far fewer injuries since then. I cycle, tow and use the SkiErg (all cardio machines in the gym!)

So yes, rest, but eat well and move well. Don’t stop! You are capable of so much more than you think.

I'm 63 and I've found my stamina has been wavering a bit the last few years (although I've had Covid about 6 times, which hasn't helped!). So I tend to only push myself on days when I'm feel terrific, when I don't have to go to work and when the weather suits me. On days when it's less clement, I've got a work shift to go to and I ache a bit, I pull back and run a bit slower.

I'm trying to push my distances in training for a half marathon next year, but I'm going to do it slowly and incrementally. On days when I go out really fast I find I have to come back more slowly and I'm not as confident for the next couple of days.

As long as we're doing regular exercise and keeping it up, I think that's more important than breaking records.

My youngest sister has just run a half marathon in her 50s and is contemplating a marathon, so clearly no need to give up yet. But unfortunately my elbow and shoulder are indeed playing up and I've had to resort to the ibuprofen gel. So back to walking for a while.

Reformer Pilates is brilliant for low impact strength training, and improving flexibility.
Particularly good if you are recovering from injury as there are a lot of adaptations that can be made. There are women of all ages in my classes.