Started Going to the Gym Again, Do You Work Out at a Fitness Center?

Bought a 6 month membership today at our local gym since it has such an awesome pool and will be swimming tonight. It comes with access to racket sports, the fitness gym, yoga classes, skating , an indoor running track and weight room. I won’t use all of it but I will use the sauna and whirl pool. The sauna is great for doing hair treatments too.
I was really missing swimming and this will keep me in shape until next summer. I’m tickled pink. Bought my combination for the locker and everything :clap:
 

Unfortunately my membership wasn’t free. I’m not part of Medicare but because of where my husband works it only cost $6 a month. I’ve used my membership picture for my current avatar.
I really enjoyed my swim last night. The whirlpool and sauna were so nice too.
The place is crazy clean which I also like. I’m so glad I joined and look forward to my next visit.
 
That sounds great Keesha, I'm glad you're happy with the gym near you, enjoy your workouts! :sunglass:
 

I belong to two gyms: A Gold's Gym within walking distance for normal hours, and a Planet Fitness a few miles away for late at night. (I keep weird hours, and Planet Fitness is open 24/7 and only costs $10/month.)

I used to do a lot of jogging/running in my youth, but runner's knee eventually put an end to that. After that, I got a lot of home equipment and did a light daily routine there with the music playing loud. But nowadays I like the gym best. My energy is better at the gym due to the surroundings and the people, and the gym provides a broader selection of equipment and activities for when I feel like changing things up.
 
I've always worked out at home. Cardio, resistance bands or cords, yoga.
Used to have a Nordic Ski machine, mini-trampoline(rebounder), really fun, thinking of getting another one. Stability ball workouts are great for the abs, fast results.
Just love to workout, such a great outlet.
 
Most of my workouts are done @ home. I’ve got weight training equipment, WII equipment, as well as suitable yoga dvd’s. What I was missing the most was swimming. I set up 7800 gallon swimming pool but it costs me $350 just to get it filled with water and then I have to clean it and look after it. Plus I can only use it during the summer months whereas I can use this all year round and it’s bigger. I’m working up to swimming a mile.
I love those balance balls. They really are a lot of fun and are especially good if you’re overweight because they support you while you exercise. I’ve even got one of those 1/2 exercise balls. They’re fun too.
Does anyone do WII workouts. They were fun but a bit too sporadic for me.
 
Still going Keesha, although I slacked off for a little bit, busy with other things. Last week I went around 5 days, and plan to keep that up, will probably go tomorrow. Been spending around 1 1/2 hours there. Usually 30-45 minutes on the treadmill at 3.2mph and 2 degree incline, around 20 min on an exercise bike, then the rest of the time on upper-body machines.

I bounce from one to another doing around 20 reps each, sometimes I'll stay on one machine and do several sets of 12 reps, but not too often. I've already been eating like a pig for the holidays, so I'm not losing weight at this point, but I feel I'm doing what I need to in gaining strength in my arms. I used to be able to lift open the top of our pop-up camper by myself, but the last year or two I haven't had the upper body strength that I use to have, my husband has had to do it.

I'm 65, so I think I've been on a decline in my 60s. Not only am I thinking of maintaining strength to keep up with my normal chores, etc., but I'm thinking of my bones in old age too. Weight bearing exercise is good for the bones and even walking is considered weight bearing exercise. At this point I'm more concerned with my arms than my legs, but I'm careful doing anything to excess, because it would be foolish if I hurt my back or neck.

I'm not into using the pool or steam sauna, haven't used public pools for years, I don't like the chemicals in them and I have learned too much about the germs and bodily fluids in them from other people. Years back usually after swimming in a public pool, I'd feel under the weather for a few days, like I had a cold. Hot steam saunas are ideal to carry warm moist bacteria and viruses from other users in the air, so to me, that's a turn off.

I used to go to Bally's fitness center and they had an incident of members getting sick from Legionnaires Disease, the pool and hot tubs were shut down for a couple of weeks and members who used them were asked to see their doctors if they didn't feel well....luckily I wasn't even in that area, most I've used was the dry hot spa. Swimming is an excellent exercise though, just not for me...only in the salt water ocean. :shark:
 
Keesha said:
Most of my workouts are done @ home. I’ve got weight training equipment, WII equipment, as well as suitable yoga dvd’s. What I was missing the most was swimming. I set up 7800 gallon swimming pool but it costs me $350 just to get it filled with water and then I have to clean it and look after it. Plus I can only use it during the summer months whereas I can use this all year round and it’s bigger. I’m working up to swimming a mile.
I love those balance balls. They really are a lot of fun and are especially good if you’re overweight because they support you while you exercise. I’ve even got one of those 1/2 exercise balls. They’re fun too.
Does anyone do WII workouts. They were fun but a bit too sporadic for me.
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I have a step at home and some good old DVDs, but can't get into doing them anymore in the house. Nice that you have your own pool, but I can imagine the expense and upkeep every year is a lot, especially if you can only use it in winter. My sister in Texas moved to a smaller home, but she used to have her own pool which was nice, had a separate hot tub section.

I never used those balance balls much, tried them out years back but never got the hang of them. Never used the 1/2 ball either, though I've seen them at the old gym. Never did a Wii workout or even have seen anyone else do one.
 
Wow Seabreeze, 5 days a week. You’re making me feel like a real slacker but I still do my yoga and my long walks. Soon I’m going to add in skating.


I’m wishing to strengthen my arms also. I’m not as old as you. I’ll be 59 in a couple of months but I’ve noticed my fingers weakening. I’ve got to whack the knives across the jar tops to help open them.


You might not be losing weight but you are most likely burning fat and increasing muscle. Since muscle weighs more than fat then it’s still all good.


I don’t want to do anything in excess either . It’s not worth throwing your back out. I’ve done that plenty of times.


Chlorinated pools can be very dangerous and I really don’t like that part of it. The pool I set up at home I turn into salt water and it stays really clean all summer and is much less brutal on the skin. I don’t put my head in the water or get my hair wet.
The chlorinated water would ruin it and dry it all out so I do the breast stroke messed with back stroke and front crawl but with my head up.


One thing about this place is that they are super anal with keeping it clean. The amount of staff this place has is incredible. It gets checked many times a day and is completely drained often. Even the showers and locker rooms are spotless.


I think I’m going to start running on the indoor track though. I’ve just got to find the best time to go when it’s the least busy. I’m so glad I joined the gym. I’m determined to be the the best shape possible and stay strong as long as I can.


The DVD’s I really do get into but it’s taken me a while to become this selective. Each session is only 20 to 25 minutes with a warm up & cool down and they really do make a huge difference in my life.
I think I lucked out with the balance ball because I found suitable DVDs that were both instructional and fun. The WII stuff has been a phase. Most of my exercise I still get from being outside with my dogs and hope this will never change.
 
Keesha said:
You might not be losing weight but you are most likely burning fat and increasing muscle. Since muscle weighs more than fat then it’s still all good.

The pool I set up at home I turn into salt water and it stays really clean all summer and is much less brutal on the skin. I don’t put my head in the water or get my hair wet.
The chlorinated water would ruin it and dry it all out so I do the breast stroke messed with back stroke and front crawl but with my head up.

I think I’m going to start running on the indoor track though. I’ve just got to find the best time to go when it’s the least busy. I’m so glad I joined the gym. I’m determined to be the the best shape possible and stay strong as long as I can.

Most of my exercise I still get from being outside with my dogs and hope this will never change.
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That's what I keep telling myself, although not sure it's true in my case. :p

Cool that your pool is salt water, I like that! I always swim regularly and get my hair wet, I agree the chlorine dries it out and salt water is a bit better even if you did wet your hair. I jogged a little on the treadmill but I think it's smart to put my running days behind me, I don't want to do anything to mess up my knees, so far I haven't had many problems with them. Brisk waking is good enough for me nowadays, fastest I've had the treadmill setting is 3.4mph, can keep a walking pace at that speed and not have to jog.

My boy still gets his daily walks with me and lately has been getting a second one on leash through the neighborhood. After the gym I'm a bit energized, so I'll hook him up and go out before I get too comfortable. He loves it, good exercise for both of us.
 
I do not have gyms close to my house, and I work out at home. As I mentioned in another thread, I prefer the self-resistance training that does not require any special equipment, excluding maybe a stick, broomstick or belt. These exercises are safer than weightlifting and bodyweight exercises; however, can give strength, muscles mass, and flexibility which we need at our age. .
 
I have a couple of resistance bands at home, but haven't used them in years. You can get in some good exercise without special equipment if you choose. I used to sit on the bottom step of the staircase and do dips using my hands on the step. Also, pushing yourself up from the floor, wall or counter is effective. Any walking is considered a weight bearing exercise, especially up the stairs, and is good for the bones.
 
I go to Curves 6 days a week. Silver Sneakers pays for it. It only about a quarter mile from my house so sometimes if the weather is good, I'll walk there and back.

I love it because its become more of a social group for me...the time I go, it's always the same group and the time flies while we talk.

There also is a luncheon on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. It's always at a different place. Ive met some nice ladies there also.

We are having a Christmas luncheon at the Country Club next Wednesday....should be fun.

It has been a life saver for me...not just the exercise but also the wonderful ladies Ive met.

I started going when I was in the throes of some very high anxiety issues...now, a few months later and my anxiety is gone.
 
SeaBreeze said:
That's what I keep telling myself, although not sure it's true in my case. :p

Cool that your pool is salt water, I like that! I always swim regularly and get my hair wet, I agree the chlorine dries it out and salt water is a bit better even if you did wet your hair. I jogged a little on the treadmill but I think it's smart to put my running days behind me, I don't want to do anything to mess up my knees, so far I haven't had many problems with them. Brisk waking is good enough for me nowadays, fastest I've had the treadmill setting is 3.4mph, can keep a walking pace at that speed and not have to jog.

My boy still gets his daily walks with me and lately has been getting a second one on leash through the neighborhood. After the gym I'm a bit energized, so I'll hook him up and go out before I get too comfortable. He loves it, good exercise for both of us.
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I’m actually jogging 2 kilometres on a padded 200 metre indoor track and I actually like it. It’s been great for toning up and actually gives me a good cardio that gets my heart going. I’d like to practice deep breathing since it will be good for my singing and sax playing too. I’ve also started doing arm workouts. I’m constantly working on my legs except for yoga and swimming and I think strong shapely arms are very attractive on both men and women. Since all the equipment is there anyway I think I’m going to start using them. I’m feeling very positive about joining the gym. My husband has even started going which really surprised me. He hasn’t worked out since I’ve known him but he wants me to teach him how to swim so I will.
It will make me feel better when he goes fishing on his own.

How’ve you been doing Seabreeze?
 
CeeCee said:
I go to Curves 6 days a week. Silver Sneakers pays for it. It only about a quarter mile from my house so sometimes if the weather is good, I'll walk there and back.

I love it because its become more of a social group for me...the time I go, it's always the same group and the time flies while we talk.

There also is a luncheon on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. It's always at a different place. Ive met some nice ladies there also.

We are having a Christmas luncheon at the Country Club next Wednesday....should be fun.

It has been a life saver for me...not just the exercise but also the wonderful ladies Ive met.

I started going when I was in the throes of some very high anxiety issues...now, a few months later and my anxiety is gone.
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Good for you CeeCee. It’s great that you still exercise and I have to agree that it IS a place to be social. That’s actuslly the part I hate the most because I don’t like being around people due to my own issues but I’m desensitizing myself by going anyway.
When I go in the evening I see a group of women that look to be senior citizens and they appear to be having a lot more fun than anyone else there which is encouraging.

Have fun CeeCee.
 
Keesha said:
Good for you CeeCee. It’s great that you still exercise and I have to agree that it IS a place to be social. That’s actuslly the part I hate the most because I don’t like being around people due to my own issues but I’m desensitizing myself by going anyway.
When I go in the evening I see a group of women that look to be senior citizens and they appear to be having a lot more fun than anyone else there which is encouraging.

Have fin CeeCee.
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Curves is somewhat different than a huge gym. I never socialized at those....but Curves is only for women and for the most part it's older women so it was perfect for me.

I go around 8:00 am and I usually see the same group...all are seniors and we have so much fun yakking and before you know it, you're done. :)

My anxiety was so bad when I first joined that I was almost in tears ....the women were wonderful and supportive.

Best of all...it's FREE.
 
Keesha said:
I’m actually jogging 2 kilometres on a padded 200 metre indoor track and I actually like it. It’s been great for toning up and actually gives me a good cardio that gets my heart going. I’d like to practice deep breathing since it will be good for my singing and sax playing too. I’ve also started doing arm workouts. I’m constantly working on my legs except for yoga and swimming and I think strong shapely arms are very attractive on both men and women. Since all the equipment is there anyway I think I’m going to start using them. I’m feeling very positive about joining the gym. My husband has even started going which really surprised me. He hasn’t worked out since I’ve known him but he wants me to teach him how to swim so I will.
It will make me feel better when he goes fishing on his own.

How’ve you been doing Seabreeze?
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Keesha, that's great that you're able to jog on a soft surface indoors and are enjoying it, it is great to get up the heartrate and break a sweat which is very cleansing to the body. I like doing some arm work too, I've lost so much upper body strength in my 60s, I don't want it to get much worse, I like to be able to do all the things I did in my 50s.

Glad you're teaching hubby to swim, it is good to know especially if you're out fishing alone, I hope he at least wears a life jacket when he goes out. My mother never knew how to swim and I was never aware of that until I was an adult. Her excuse for not going out in deep water when I was a kid was that she didn't want to mess up her hair. My father used to take us out in his small boat way out on the bay and sometimes in rough water, and my mother went through a lot of stress back in the day worrying about us kids, we all went out deep at the beach and in the ocean.

I've been slacking off at the gym, been having to take care of some other things like cleaning out gutters and other yard work before the winter snows. I do make it in a couple of days a week, but would like to go more often like I was before.

CeeCee said:
Curves is somewhat different than a huge gym. I never socialized at those....but Curves is only for women and for the most part it's older women so it was perfect for me.
I go around 8:00 am and I usually see the same group...all are seniors and we have so much fun yakking and before you know it, you're done. :)
My anxiety was so bad when I first joined that I was almost in tears ....the women were wonderful and supportive.
Best of all...it's FREE.
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CeeCee, good to hear you're still working out at Curves, I've never been to one and didn't know that it was free under the Silver Sneakers. My gym is free too, so I'm happy to go there and hop around on any machines that suit my mood, never too many people there when I go so plenty of elbow room. Happy for you that you have nice women there to socialize with. :)
 
I’m really pleased that I’ve kept up the gym habit but I have to give my husband much credit because he only joined because he needed to be there for me to get the discount , then decided to join also and has been going everyday that it’s been open.,

I usually go 3 or 4 times a week which is enough for me. I’m still doing my yoga and and walking the girls but I got a blue tooth head set and it’s made a huge difference in helping me stayed focused on my goal. I get so distracted by others around me that I find the headset comforting.

Im running between 2 and 3 kilometres and usually riding 3 1/2 miles on the stationary bikes. I then do arm work as well as a leg workout in the floor mat. Swimming is generally a mile but only dontbonce a week if that. With all the socializing and driving this time of year, I was a bit stressed out and have really valued my time at the gym.

Its especially nice to condition hair in the sauna
I’m not sure if I’ve lost weight but I sure didn’t gain any This Christmas season either which I’m thrilled with.

Seabreeze - Id like to work on my arms and back. I also want to keep my strength up as much as possible plus I want to have nice arms. Women can have nicely toned arms just like men and it’s just as attractive in my opinion.
 
Keesha, glad you're still keeping at it and enjoying it so much at the gym, good for you....kudos! :cool: I still haven't been going regularly again yet, and I have gained more weight over the holidays, which I expected. My husband had a birthday in December, so we started out by heading across town to a nice French bakery and getting cakes and pastries. He can eat all he wants and not gain a pound, not the case with me. We've been enjoying other good rich foods and deserts during the season as usual. I agree about the arms, I'm more interested in maintaining my strength at this point, but my arms were always fairly toned all my life, now I have some underarm sag due to age, but it's not as bad as it could be. Keep up the good work in 2019! :yougogirl:
 
We also belong to Silver Sneakers through our Advantage plan, and go to the fitness center almost every day, depending on what our schedules are like.
It is affiliated with the local hospital, so there are a lot of other seniors who go to the Wellness Center.

My husband likes to work out with weights, and I love the swimming pool.
I usually swim just over a half mile.
I can swim a whole mile, but not in an hour, which is how long we are usually there.
 
I’ve still been going to the gym regularly. It’s usually two or three times a week. Between Christmas and Valentine’s Day I usually put on a bit of weight. There are so many great choices in desserts that it’s difficult passing on them. It’s sad when you join a gym only to gain weight, not lose it.

Like yourself Seabreeze, my arms used to be in good shape but now the top has a bit of sag to them so I’m doing very light weight lifting to try and tone them up. It gives me something extra to do while there.

My husband used to be able to eat anything and not gain any weight but he passed that stage a while ago.
Now he does.

Im enjoying going to the gym. The people are so nice and it’s inspiring seeing all the people who are far older than me going and there’s a lot of them. I’d say about 1/4 of the members there are senior citizens and it’s surprising what some of them can do.

Hey Happyflowerlady. Another long distance swimmer. A half a mile isn’t too shabby. That’s not bad. Do you do 1/2 a mile everyday? That’s a lot of swimming !
 
I’ve been going to the gym and normally jogging 2 kilometres, riding 5 miles, do a 20 minute leg workout and either do weight lifting for my arms or for my legs.
I usually only go 2 or 3 times a week.


Tonight I went swimming only and swam a full mile to see what my swimming speed is which is a mile in 45 minutes. It didn’t leave very much time to shower and wash my hair but I managed. At -10 it freezes very quickly. Luckily my car isn’t far and warms up quickly.

I am determined to stay in great shape.
 

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