Gymmer or non-gymmer?

I’ll be off to the gym this morning at 7am. A run on a treadmill - safer than outdoors on rough surfaces or soggy ground. Then stretches and /or some weight bearing exercises. At 72 I’m trying to keep as fit and healthy as I can while I can. It doesn’t matter to me what I look like or what other people look like. I pay my monthly fee and the gym is mine to use how I wish.

I’m a member of our local leisure centre- £40 a month and you can swim, do as many classes as you like , use the gym whenever. I go at least 3 times a week, so it’s good value for me. I do yoga, pilates, one class where you bounce around on exercise balls and Zumba. It’s definitely helped my strength, stability and wellbeing. Lots of oldies in the daytime.

I use the gym mostly for aquafit, aquarun and swimming. I like the weights machines when it’s a class with the teacher encouraging us or reminding us about changing weights and the recliner bikes, where I can read and cycle. Best of all is meeting for coffee afterwards.
Tai chi in the park is good in the summer. Not sure if the fitness isn’t actually achieved by walking half a mile up a steep hill to the meeting place.

I am definitely not a gym bunny, I joins one once and found it extremely boring.
However, now I’ve hit 70, I’m rethinking and wondering if it would be a ‘good thing’ if I gave it another go.
I play tennis a couple of times a week and enjoy that and am fairly active generally but there is no doubt that I am losing muscle tone.
I don’t want to do anything other than maintain a bit of strength so perhaps I should sign up again.

I do a Tai Chi course - but not at a gym. Not my thing at all. Walking, Tai Chi and some extra exercises I have devised myself and do at home.

I joined my local Nuffield health gym about a year ago and it's been one of the best things I've ever done - my strength, fitness, stamina and suppleness have all improved massively.
I go a few times a week to the many different classes that are run from 6am to 9pm.
There's a multitude of classes every day that range from chairfit, aqurobics, pilates,yoga and more hard core stuff.
I'm over weight but working on this and have great support from the instructors.
I tend to only use the instructor led classes as they keep me motivated and engaged - I can't stay motivated on a treadmill for 45 minutes 🙈.
I was totally intimidated at first, but I'm by no means the biggest or oldest in any of the classes I attend.
One instructor is 69 and I often chat with other grans during daytime classes.
I highly recommend Nuffield gyms and there helpful, friendly instructors.

I've been a member of a gym for years, not always the same one. When Covid hit I left it for quite a while. I've only just gone back. My impetus for that, I broke my arm walking on a fairly rough terrain. Before that I often thought there was something quite absurd driving to walk (treadmill) but I've lost some confidence in walking, not on a treadmill. I need to build that confidence up again. Plus I do weight bearing exercises for bone strength and swim mh health club has a pool. I've previously done some yoga classes.

I am a gym member. I use the actual gym infrequently - but the pool is truly beautiful and I use that 3 or 4 times a week.

The staff and kind, helpful and welcoming. They are young and enthusiastic but seem to help me and others my age (and older) at least as much as the bright young things.

It's not the sort of gym with many classes - it's quite small and attached to a Hilton but it means I can go swimming whenever the pool is open and the temperature is warmer than the local "council" pool.

The staff know me and are cheery. There's a free coffee/juice bar and towels are provided. I see the same people there regularly and have got to know them as more than "other gym members". The Aqua lot have a monthly lunch together for those who want to do that.

I just swim for about an hour - sometimes use the steam room or jacuzzi but mostly just swim.
I have arthritis and it works for me.

I refined my ability to avoid gym at school. I’m certainly not going to do it as an adult!

The only exercise I ever enjoyed was ballet, which I adored but not really because of the exercise value. I couldn’t do it now.

GrannyGravy13

Callistemon21 I think this particular gym has saved my sanity. It’s not full of posers it’s family run, and they actually care about their members.

I did go when I needed concentrated exercise in a short space of time.

I joined an adult tap dancing class too, not easy when you have two left feet and lack xpco-ordination.

Sadly, can do none of this pro tem.

Callistemon21 I think this particular gym has saved my sanity. It’s not full of posers it’s family run, and they actually care about their members.

along with Callanetics

Oh yes, I did that years ago but did something to my hip.
Then Pilates ☹

Years ago I went to exercise classes with the Women's League of Health and Beauty, with my SisIL.
Anyone remember those?

I used to go for a while when I was in my 40s and 50s.

However, running on a treadmill, using a rowing machine etc just seems so artificial.
Why pay when you can walk outside in the fresh air?

Yoga, yes.

I hated PE at school (asthma) I joined a local gym in October 2000, only to find out it had been started by one of my PE teachers who laughed and said she had so many ex pupils as members,

I have one personal training session a week, along with Callanetics, circuits and a couple of other classes. I cannot imagine giving it up.

I’ve been going for a few months, as injuries and arthritis have stopped me doing my customary exercise and I was concerned that both my fitness and my balance would deteriorate. I did a course designed for people with joint problems, and the group I was in have continued to meet a couple of times a week. I also go to classes recommended by my physio (nobody has shouted at me!) and am about to start Pilates. So far, I don’t like any of it as much as exercising outdoors, but it’s better than sitting around seizing up, and I’ve made a few new friends, which is a bonus.

No thanks! Signed up years ago for one and hid in the corner on a bike! Hot, sweaty, music too loud.

I'd rather run around playing badminton for 2 1/2 hours which I do every Monday. We regularly walk 3/4 miles as well and that's enough for me. But fully appreciate that for some people it's an absolute devotion!

I quite fancy Tai Chi but do not like classes of any description.
Can anyone recommend a UTube video?

I have just finished a circuit training course for lung disease at our local sports centre. It was organised by the NHS when my lung problem was diagnosed. I am going on another course in the spring it has benefitted my breathing and muscle strength.

I yearn to go for a good long walk.
Sigh.

The surgeon said to me he sees a lot of fit women who’s joints appear to give up quickly when the muscles no longer able to take the strain
My exercise now is lots of walking rough ground and hills

Yes I go to the Gym... I have had x2 hip replacements, knee replacement and I have a Pacemaker.
I didn't bother long term with the Physio for my rehab.
I now pay for a Personal trainer, best investment my programs are designed to what I can and can't do.

I am convinced with the Gyms being shut during Covid. it brought forward the deterioration of my joints. I had managed to keep a control on it, I started going after my first THR so about 9 years now.
Unfortunately 18 months ago I had to have my other THR then 6 months later TKR. Prior to that I was almost immobile.

I go by 8 am you definitely don't see Gym members dress up, quite the opposite, plus I reckon the folks there probably at that time of the morning all over 50 +

I got signed up for the gym for cardio rehab As on crutches at time I was somewhat limited However as it was a regular class x2 week and we all had issues and a similar age it was really good for morale. And a good natter however back to relative normality I have not returned.

I used to love going to the local Council gym two or three times a week when it fitted in well as a stop off on my way home from work. It was the sort of place where people would pass the time of day then let you get on - call me antisocial, but that suited me. I didn’t go there for the social aspect, just to keep fit. Now I’m retired I just walk and exercise at home with a variety of YouTube instructors - there’s so much variety on there, and all for free. So much more convenient and easier than travelling to a gym and back.

I attend a pay as you go gym for the pool and pilates classes. I don't like the machines. The other members are friendly.
I enjoy the ballet classes I do with an RAD teacher best.
DD2 has her own dance/fitness studio at home, so I can work out there if I want.
I have a few special outfits I keep for exercise.

No definitely not a Gym person. I have been doing Tai Chi for a few years which I really enjoy, it is great for stretching and balance plus I get to meet some lovely people there. So much more my sort of thing than a Gym.