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

Sounds great Keesha! I've been making it to the gym a few times a week, usually an hour on the treadmill at 3.2mph at a 2% incline, burns around 275 calories and is just over 3 miles total. Then my usual with the upper body/arms on my favorite machines. That with a walk or two per day with the dog is all I can handle, or have time for. I don't care too much about being in great shape, just want to keep my weight under control and stay mobile and independent in my old age...good 'nuff for me. :topsy_turvy:
 

This is great news Seabreeze. I was going to ask if you were still going but I also didn’t want to add unwanted pressure just in case you were taking a break. An hour on the dreadful with a slight incline is great. Weightlifting for the upper body, particularly the arms is what I’m doing also and it’s paying off. I’m using light weights to the point of exhaustion and am noticing improvements so I’m quite happy.

Plus it’s a great place just to get out of the house. Sometimes I get a bit of cabin fever so going to the gym breaks that up for me. What I’m most surprised about is the fact that my husband is going. I’m very impressed. He really wants to learn to swim which I’m all in support of. He should know how to swim if he’s fishing on his own.

This week I might go skating in the arena. I’m either going to take the picks off my figure skates or get a pair of men’s skates or women’s skates that are for figure skating. I trip on those silly picks all the time.

The reason I am so determined to be in great shape is after seeing my parents huge decline. Once things started getting uncomfortable they both stopped exercising completely and basically seized up and became cripppled; especially my father and if my brother is 3 1/2 years older and can do marathons then I can definitely be in better shape. Plus my husband needs my help. I’m the one who helps him do house repairs, cut trees down and clean the house and care for the property. He won’t hire anyone so there’s a bit of concern.

What machines do you use?

Im genuinely surprised at how many older members there are at this gym that are in great shape. It’s inspiring.
Keeping in shape makes housework easier. That in itself is reason enough to stay fit.
 
Besides the treadmill, recumbent bike and elliptical, I like to use this machine for the arms, it's like pedaling a bike only you hold the handles with your hands, you can go forward or reverse and set the resistance as high as you like. I also like to use the chin-ups and dip machine, you can hold the handles above you and do chin-ups or hold the side rails and do dips, there's a step and a weight assist, so it's not nearly as hard to do as a regular unassisted chin-up.

Then I like to use the machine where you set the weight (my setting is 40lbs.) and you just pull on the handle like a rowing motion, also lat pull down, chest press, overhead press, tricep dip, etc. I have weights and a weight bench at home, but I prefer the machines, they make it a little more interesting.

Nice that your hubby is going to the gym too, my husband has no interest in going to the gym at all. He has weights and a bike at home if he wants to exercise. Lately he's been having a lot of issues with his legs and hip muscles from old injuries, so he really hasn't even been going on daily walks with me and the dog. Hoping he feels steady enough on his feet to join me again in the near future, right now he's using a cane in the house to get around.

I'm like you, I do a lot of house and yard work and have always helped my husband with projects. It is better if your strong and in good shape even to do work around the house. Good luck with the skating, I never was ice skating and as far as roller skating, just when I was a kid on the sidewalk, with the clamp on skates that had a key.
 

How about some pictures from all the people who are saying they exercise and workout?...Let’s see those results.

Well, I work out...side

Does that count?

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often at the maul in summer

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Or, dancing a jig after completion of a project...like a shop floor

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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 usually swim somewhere between 40-50 laps each day. It takes 49 laps for 3/4 of a mile, so I am usually somewhere in between the half and 3/4 mark.
My Apple Watch counts laps for me, so I just swim and let the watch count the laps. I vary my style with sidestroke and back stroke, to try and make sure I get as many muscles exercised as possible.
I have always loved swimming, and in the winter, the hot tub is wonderful as well.
Hyperthermia also helps to keep germs killed to prevent infections, so between the swimming and the hot tubbing, I seldom get sick at all.
I really miss being able to walk long distances, but here in town where we live, it is not safe anyway, and besides, my bad knee won’t take that anymore.
So, swimming it is.
 
Besides the treadmill, recumbent bike and elliptical, I like to use this machine for the arms, it's like pedaling a bike only you hold the handles with your hands, you can go forward or reverse and set the resistance as high as you like. I also like to use the chin-ups and dip machine, you can hold the handles above you and do chin-ups or hold the side rails and do dips, there's a step and a weight assist, so it's not nearly as hard to do as a regular unassisted chin-up.

Then I like to use the machine where you set the weight (my setting is 40lbs.) and you just pull on the handle like a rowing motion, also lat pull down, chest press, overhead press, tricep dip, etc. I have weights and a weight bench at home, but I prefer the machines, they make it a little more interesting.

Nice that your hubby is going to the gym too, my husband has no interest in going to the gym at all. He has weights and a bike at home if he wants to exercise. Lately he's been having a lot of issues with his legs and hip muscles from old injuries, so he really hasn't even been going on daily walks with me and the dog. Hoping he feels steady enough on his feet to join me again in the near future, right now he's using a cane in the house to get around.

I'm like you, I do a lot of house and yard work and have always helped my husband with projects. It is better if your strong and in good shape even to do work around the house. Good luck with the skating, I never was ice skating and as far as roller skating, just when I was a kid on the sidewalk, with the clamp on skates that had a key.
You sound like you have a great workout plan customized just for you.
Its too bad your husband isn’t as motivated. My husband didn’t even bike or life weights but he did go rollerblading with me on many occasions. Hopefully your husband gets moving again before he seizes up.

Im so glad that there are others working out. Its motivating.
 
How about some pictures from all the people who are saying they exercise and workout?...Let’s see those results.
I don’t have many pictures of me showing my full body that would show what type of shape I’m in. I’m actually very modest showing skin or getting pictures taken but I do have some.
This one is me with no make up taking our dogs for a walk in the forest during hunting season. The next is me skating with 3 layers of clothes on, summer hat and dress, from the back and another one from the back with a dress on, which won’t upload so this is a picture of me eating candy floss outside last December
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Fixed it Invictus, you look like you've been doing some serious lifting, glad you feel great at your age...best goal for all of us.
 
I use light weights with high repetitions and am getting some good muscle tone on my arms without too much bulk. You’ll probably laugh but for 59 it’s not too bad.

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The pictures went sideways... :(
I would never laugh at anyone who is working out and improving their body and health, no matter what they looked like...I'm sure you look fine anyway...I couldn't see the picture?
 
Well now…big dude

Yer armed without artillery

‘53’ ….damn kids

Lookin’ good Invi, lookin’ good
Thanks Gary...LOL!...Ya I'm young compared to you, but I'm always the oldest guy in the gyms and surrounded by all these youngsters on steroids...But I'm still stronger and bigger than most of them...I hope I'm still as active as you when I'm your age, and still working outdoors in the woods...I love it and I think it keeps us young and healthy.
 
Thanks Gary...LOL!...Ya I'm young compared to you, but I'm always the oldest guy in the gyms and surrounded by all these youngsters on steroids...But I'm still stronger and bigger than most of them...I hope I'm still as active as you when I'm your age, and still working outdoors in the woods...I love it and I think it keeps us young and healthy.

It seems to be working for me
I feel better at 70 than I did at 50
‘Course, at 50 I was behind a desk

Didn’t tote more than a pencil or a golf club

Now it’s a saw or chopping maul, or arm load of wood

As far as looks, I care, but feeling good….that’s huge
 
I would never laugh at anyone who is working out and improving their body and health, no matter what they looked like...I'm sure you look fine anyway...I couldn't see the picture?

I removed the picture because it kept going in sideways. Three times but I’ll try again.
My arms look big but only because I’m flexing them. They, otherwise just look well defined.
Amd my pictures are still going in sideways. I’m not sure why.

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