Maintaining strength - the best way?

I agree with Cornergran that it’s important to do something you enjoy or it just becomes a chore.
For me it’s Pilates, Tai Chi, tennis, walking & gardening.
The other thing which I think no one has mentioned is to make sure you eat enough protein. There is controversy about how much is enough, but one recommendation is 1gm per day per kg body weight.
It also takes time to build up muscle. I lost muscle in my leg before I had a hip replacement because I couldn’t use my leg properly. It took 2 years to get back to the same size as my other leg.

I like your thinking, cornergran ! Years ago, a friend and I used to go to a Step class at the local gym, then have chips on the way home!

My thought kitty is experiment until you find something you enjoy or you’ll not keep going.

I ‘found’ TaiChi, a class for mature folk run by an AgeUK volunteer and found it very helpful for balance, stamina and upper body strength. Enjoyable, as is the trip to Waitrose afterwards for tea and cake .

I found this on YouTube yesterday and I’m going to try it. It’s only 17 minutes so I’m gonna give it a go….

Walking is good for keeping your legs strong and is aerobic too. I do about 20 minutes of strength, balance and flexibility exercises most days.
NHS website is very good for exercises for older people.
All this and no gym fees.

Pilates is good for building core strength and the movements are done slowly, so less likelihood of doing damage. I’d advise a good teacher so that you do the movements correctly - there’s a very good NHS set of videos you can follow if finding a class to attend is problematic. My teacher offers physical classes and zoom sessions.

Commit to performing resistance exercises every day. You don't need to pay for gym facilities or specialised classes because you have everything you need in your own home. I've found a pair of weighted wristbands to be a good investment (if they're big enough to use on your ankles too, so much the better)). Just wear them to go about your daily chores and your muscles will become stronger. For stamina, go for a walk every day, as briskly as you can (remember you have to come back, so don't walk until you're exhausted!). Build up the distance every few days until you're out for at least 30 minutes a day. There's no quick fix and you have to keep it up, every day (hateful, but there it is - you don't get nuffin fer nuffin!). Oh, and a physical jerks book aimed at seniors may be a good idea - they generally contain a whole range of simple exercises for different ages & states of fitness. I won't say which one I use, as I don't want to be accused of advertising, but an online search for "seniors exercise" will turn up quite a choice. Now all I have to do is follow my own excellent advice.

Witzend - worktop press ups mean standing about a yard away from the worktop edge, hands shoulder width apart, then leaning forward to do press ups! Not as difficult as floor ones and easily utilising your body weight. I do sideways one-handed ones occasionally but can only manage 5 in one go!

I boil a kettle around half a dozen times a day so those along with squats add up to a lot in a week.

😯 Pole dancing at my age?

Allira

escaped

It's not for everyone, but ballet is good for deportment as well as for working the legs from top to bottom. The Royal Academy of Dance has qualified teachers who specialise in ballet lessons for older people, it's called Silver Swans.

Having never had the opportunity of dance lessons when I was a child, I decided to join an adult tap class when I was about 50, sadly realising I had no co-ordination.

I do see the difference with my DD who did ballet and tap for years.

Tap is a bit jerking on the spine.
Pole fitness is better!

Pantglas2

Walking as often and as far as you can is so good for you and if you add a dozen squats and worktop press ups every time you wait for the kettle to boil it’s an easy daily workout which costs nowt!

What are worktop press-ups?

One easy (non gym) thing said to be very good for core strength, is sitting on a normal height chair, arms folded, and stand up without using your hands. Repeat at least 10 times daily.

It was one of the exercises recommended by a physio when I was left very weak and wobbly after a nasty dose of pneumonia and pleurisy.
Another (largely for balance) was marching on the spot, swinging the opposite arm to the leg, IYSWIM. 50 or more of those.
(These exercises were for the 70 plus.)

escaped

It's not for everyone, but ballet is good for deportment as well as for working the legs from top to bottom. The Royal Academy of Dance has qualified teachers who specialise in ballet lessons for older people, it's called Silver Swans.

Having never had the opportunity of dance lessons when I was a child, I decided to join an adult tap class when I was about 50, sadly realising I had no co-ordination.

I do see the difference with my DD who did ballet and tap for years.

Picking up and cuddling grandchildren.
My DGS is 6'2", I think he'd have a shock if I tried to pick him up. 😁

Screaming protests at the television. oh yes!

There's a variety of YouTube videos out there.....confesses to it still being at "next on my list" position - as I'm currently working my way through a list of health issues my body has and getting rid of them one by one. I'll get there.......

....but I'm certainly aware my strength hasn't felt normal level for a while and hence fitness is on the list (after finishing off dealing with foot issue and skin issues and and and....).

I go to a sit fit class on Monday afternoon and move it or lose class Tuesday morning. Plus do exercises at home and have static pedals which I do 300 rotations on.

After being in hospital last month for a week spilt over 2 hospitals. I have lost strength in my arms so working hard to regain it. But it's been a good excuse to get rid of all the kitchen things I can not longer use and buy things that are lighter. My daughter has had most of the things . The rest will go to charity.

loopyloo

Picking up and cuddling grandchildren.
Making the garden look beautiful.
Screaming protests at the television.
Walking to see my friends for coffee.
Carrying books to the charity shop.

👍🏻

Having had health issues in 2024 which affected my ability to do much exercise I'm trying to regain the fitness I've lost. I walk the dog each day and have built up to about an hour each day with increased pace and hills. I used to do a couple of pilates classes weekly but currently just doing a weekly one to one reformer session so my trainer can focus on what is best for me. It's good for strength as you work against weights, flexibility and cardio, so really excellent all round exercise. I'm 76.

I'm sorry to read about your accident GrannyGravy13. 💐

It's not for everyone, but ballet is good for deportment as well as for working the legs from top to bottom. The Royal Academy of Dance has qualified teachers who specialise in ballet lessons for older people, it's called Silver Swans.

Tai Chi, walking, exercises. ADHD, nothing better, I am always moving around, jumping up to do things, rarely sit down, constantly fidget. - keeps your weight down as well!

I go to the gym at least three times a week.

I find a mixture of Callanetics, Pilates, circuit training, resistance exercises, HIIT and Zabata stop me from getting bored and have helped to keep me flexible and strong.

I had an accident yesterday, resulting in one leg in a full splint thigh to ankle and the other with an orthopaedic boot. Having strong arms and core is definitely helping me to move when necessary.

I try to do some form of exercise daily, for at least 3/4 hour. Swimming 3 times a week, good walk on the other days. We have woods near us, with uphill sections, so good effort needed.

I go to Aquafit three times a week. It's quite hard exercise against water pressure but the joints are well supported. I go in as deep as possible. Up to my neck so always moving against water.

I aim to walk six miles a day which I record on my phone. I do a 3 mile walk before breakfast with a friend and her dog and my DH and I go for a walk the majority of afternoons. I have never felt attracted to going to gyms preferring to be outside. I wish we had a swimming pool nearby as I like swimming. I also play table tennis once a week for an hour which is great fun.

Picking up and cuddling grandchildren.
Making the garden look beautiful.
Screaming protests at the television.
Walking to see my friends for coffee.
Carrying books to the charity shop.