Gym at 57? Would you?

[Fordian]

I've had a grim 7-8 years post menopause.

My mojo she upped and left. I've done 'the necessary' for the family, sons aged 20/22 (now). But I've slogged through, HCP job.

But a tiny, tiny fire has reignited within. I've begun to tackle my weight via low carb and HIITs. Only over the past 3 weeks, mind.

I am very fat and unfit, 5'6", 93 kg. (Now 89.). So BMI of I dunno, 32?

There a 'Village' gym recently opened up very convenient to us. Eldest DS has membership. DH went along for a trial day.

I am beginning to wonder whether I should gather my courage and just join that gym? It's £52 pm, which we can afford, complete with pool, sauna and steam room, which I probably won't use. And classes.

DH tells me there are plenty of non-gym bunny types who go.

Should I? Or should I continue my at-home HIITs and join a local village hall Pilates?

WWYD?

Oh and the gym I go to has no contract, its £19 a month and i think there are a lot like that now. No frills!

My grandma has turned into a gym bunny over the last few years - she’s 79 and keeps winning competitions for most classes attended. After struggling with her weight for most of her life she’s now a size 8.

Do it. I turned 60 this year. Took up yoga four or five years ago, added in swimming, occasional gym, HIIT class. Feel so much better. Now doing C25K and am within 2lbs of what I weighed when I got married 36 years ago (when I was a 30 a day smoker!). Different shape entirely of course, but I am dead proud.

And it’s just for me. Don’t give a monkeys about what anyone else thinks anymore. I feel fit and strong and I love it.

Lots of women of your age in my gym ( I was about to type older and I'm not sure you'd actually class as older in my gym). Go for it!

Please do it and let us know how you get on. The mental and physical benefits of strength training are amazing and hard to explain in words. It is wells worth investing your time and money in you.

It really comes down to how disciplined you are. Will you make yourself go even when it's the last thing you want to do? Because that's what it comes down to, when despite a bad night before, feeling knackered and only want to sit in front of the TV, you still go -and inevitably always feel better afterwards! To make it worth the money, you'll probably need to go 3 times a week, do you think that's feasible?

In terms of fitness, it's great to be able to do different things and work different muscles. Also for HITT classes, you find that you'll just push yourself just that little bit more than when you do it yourself, and it's that little bit more that makes a difference.

Working out is not just about weight control. It's the good that it does long term. It's the difference between finding that everything hurts and you struggle to do the activities you want to do at 70, 80 and even 90, and being able to still enjoy things in life. It's the impact on everything, cholesterol, liver functions, reduction of osteoporosis etc... so it alone is a massive investment for the future.

And don't worry about being overweight and self-conscious. I've been a member of my gym for 20 years, and it makes me happy to see overweight people going. I am really admirative that they are taking that step to be healthier. Most people I know at the gym feel exactly the same. No shame, no sense of entitlement that the gym belongs to the slim and fit.

You go for it but be prepared for the commitment, it's really hard, and yes, I do sympathise with the impact of the menopause. I'm there and it certainly makes everything harder. It's lovely to hear that you might be coming to the other side.

There's loads of people your age and size use my gym, it might be because of the location (and price!) but we have very few younger folk. You'd be young compared to some of our members!

Gyms don't have to be like that.
I've just re-joined a gym after two years of awful health problems including breast cancer. I was prompted by a diagnosis of osteoporosis. I'm 63. I don't want to lose weight, just improve strength.

In the past I've been to the type of gym you suggest and been quite intimidated by the type of client, not to mention the relentless loud music. I changed to a council leisure centre gym in the nearest small town. Much quieter and calmer. I joined last week as PAYG but may upgrade to the £22 monthly package. I got a free induction and taylored exercise plan. It's very quiet at certain times/

Thank you, everyone.

Am reading your replies.

I’m 58 and about to rejoin my gym now restrictions are easing. Plenty of people my age there, many of us including me, overweight.