Using A Gym.

[mickd1961]

Due to a hip issue I haven’t been able to run for three months so I joined a local gym.

Nothing posh, real down to earth place with a “walk in and use” for £5 or a £20 a month membership.

Having never been a gym person I wanted to be sure I was doing things properly so I use a personal trainer for some sessions and at £20 for 45 minutes it’s very good value.

What a difference this first month has made to me and to my strength and my body shape.

I can’t lift heavy weights but I do work bloody hard, most my age seem to go down to chat and bore the f u c k out of other users and the staff!

I feel so much fitter and stronger than when I was just running, I wish I’d taken this up 40 years ago and combined it with my running, I’d certainly have been an even better runner I believe due to the additional core strength.

After getting over the first two sessions I now also find I don’t ache after exercise or during the next day whereas I always do with running.

If any of you out there are any age up to 80 odd and still keen to get into shape or stay in reasonable shape I’d highly recommend a gym but use a personal trainer at first.

[Dubbag]

I realized the benefits early in my running.
Have one set in the shed in my back garden.
No big weight lifter either but use it for overall strength conditioning.
Three months without a run?
The gym certainty will help...

[Albionic68]

Haven't run for years but keep in shape using kettlebells and dumbbells most days. You can get a very good workout using light to moderate weights if you know what you're doing.

A kettlebell is superb for helping core strength, cross body stabilisation and working your hip flexors. Very underrated piece of equipment is the kettlebell.

I've also got a pair of max' parallettes and a weighted vest for dips, inverted rows and pullups etc. Bodyweight exercises are excellent. Bulgarian split squats are your friend with or without weights.

Can thoroughly recommend rowing machines too. Found training using HIIT protocols was better for me than just rowing continually. I've gone through several and would love to buy another one. I always go for fold aways as we're pushed for space given the equipment I've got.

You've no need to run for cardio although the benefits of short powerful sprints shouldn't be overlooked. I've never really understood the fascination of steady state cardio as it only really makes you good at steady state cardio.

[baggieal]

Love cardio tennis and Pilates is good too! I go to a fitness group which has a maximum of 12 people split into four areas and you have to undertake all four areas so concentrates on upper and lower. It’s like an assault course and only 30 minutes but like personal training but almost kills you.

[Prando]

As a younger man I was a regular jogger and gym attender. I followed a personal trainers set program which was reviewed early 3 months. It became quite obsessive and I would attend (early mornings) 3 times a week.
My ‘fair weather’ jogging would be for an hour averaging 7 mph, but eventually and inevitably my knees began to hurt. I moved to cycling and am now equally obsessed !
I have a winter bike and summer bike, and for the last 20 years cycle at least 75 miles per week and love it. Never really gone fast and averaging 12-13 mph is great for me. Always a cafe for toast and coffee incorporated en route.
Love the Lycra as well.
At one time I was a MAMIL…Middle Aged Man in Lycra
Now I’m a OAPIL…Old Aged Pensioner in Lycra.

[Baggies_Boy_Tony]

I've never been a runner but since my knee replacement 6 years ago I go to the gym 2-3 times a week.
Start with the treadmill for brisk walking, move on to some reasonable weights and body exercise equipment.
I don't think I'm doing too bad for nearly 80 .

[baggieal]

I've never been a runner but since my knee replacement 6 years ago I go to the gym 2-3 times a week.
Start with the treadmill for brisk walking, move on to some reasonable weights and body exercise equipment.
I don't think I'm doing too bad for nearly 80 .

Keep it up as sounds as if you are doing brilliant!

[mickd1961]

Keep it up as sounds as if you are doing brilliant!

Yes I agree, well done Phil.

I agree with 68 as well, it’s amazing what an affect things like kettlebells etc can have.

I’ve brought a new set of weights with me down to Tenby do that I can do a bit whilst I’m away.

I’ve also started to do a bit of Pilates type stuff like “planks”, I never realised that staying in a fixed position for 30 to 60 seconds could be such hard work yet being such benefit.

[Albionic68]

Once you get bored of planks, which you most likely will, try spider planks and side planks if you haven't already done so. Add ankle weights to the spider planks as you progress. Very good for the obliques.

[Dubbag]

I've never been a runner but since my knee replacement 6 years ago I go to the gym 2-3 times a week.
Start with the treadmill for brisk walking, move on to some reasonable weights and body exercise equipment.
I don't think I'm doing too bad for nearly 80 .

That is excellent....I see a guy and gal out running together....must be both in their 80's but they are always laughing and giggling when running....probably laughing at me as I huff and puff as I attempt to pass them out on a hill.....