How many 70 year olds go to the gym?

[Frank Manning]

Sue had an appointment with the Practice Nurse today. She wont mind me telling you that her blood pressure is spot on, her cholesteol is 5.7, her BMI is below 24, although she is just 5' 3" her weight is comfortably below 9 stones. Not satisfied with that, they have described her as inactive, (despite our stairs, Sue's fetish for housework, all the walking we do etc.), and they have insisted on assessing her for cardio vascular disease, finally recommending she go to the gym. She came out quite despondent.

I say its NHS box ticking, and it is unreasonable to expect a 69 year old to start at the gym, weight lifting, cross trainer, rowing machines etc. What to Cruise Community think?

[Andrea S]

Frank, I can see the concern for someone who sounds pretty fit already and no medical problems jumping out.

I think the pieces of equipment you mention are extreme.


Following a shoulder injury I was advised to do gentle exercise. My GP also recommended swimming.

[Kendhni]

At the gym I go to there are quite a few elderly people (exact age unknown). The exercise regime many of them do though is worthless ... almost as if they have found something really easy and so do it for 10-30 minutes thinking it is better than nothing ... which is probably an accurate analysis of its worth. In other cases I am amazed at the stamina of the person (far more energy than I have).

The downside is that many turn up at the gym at weekends or in the evenings when the working population is also trying to use the gym. A few weeks back I watched a couple of old dears with amusement ... one sat on the seat for a piece of equipment, yakked to her friend for a few minutes, tried moving it and failed, yakked with her friend, adjusted the weight, yakked with her friend, tried moving it and failed, yakked with her friend, adjusted the weight etc. ... after about 10-minutes of not actually performing a single 'rep' they went to the next bit of equipment and repeated the process, this went on for nearly an hour before they decided they had had enough exercise and left (probably thinking they had done a good work out)

[GillD46]

I know quite a few 70+ gym enthusiasts - some of whom work out really hard, though it must be said they have done so for quite some time and not started at 70+

Exercise is part of the template used at health checks so that and the fact your wife's cholersterol is above the recommended level (which is ideally below 4) may have prompted her to suggest exercise. It needs to be exercise that raises a sweat,so some very brisk walking should help get her heart working out and being weight bearing will help her bones too.

[Manoverboard]

Can't think of anybody .... walking, dancing and / or swimming are, imo, far better options than messing about on hard rolling surfaces or using weights etc.

Diet and exercise can potential reduce cholesteol levels by a max of 10% and after that it is time to get the statins out ... or is it ?

5.7 without any blood pressure issues is not something I, or indeed my Doctor, would be too concerned about and no way is a nurse going to instruct me to go to the gym.

However I would go ahead with the tests to ensure that all was as well as I think it is.

ps ... I am NOT medically qualified but I am over 70 and have similar readings to Sue.

[Andrea S]

Ken, Most older people are limited to what they can do and surely to maintain mobility some exercise is better than non .

Our Council run Leisure Centres have supervised daily sessions for older people enabling people to keep within their limits.

The larger organisations are geared for
young athletic types and and I personally would feel very much out of place in that kind of environment.

I joined up with friends to a small health club within a Hotel and it is ideal. We use the treadmill , cycle and a cross country exercise machine. We swim, use the steam room, sauna and jacuzzi then enjoy a coffee afterwards.

[Kendhni]

Andrea, when you break it down, if most people actually walked to their local gym and back home again then that would be enough exercise without the need to go in ... however you see people driving to the gym for a workout, but initially drive around the car park looking for a space as close to the door as possible ????

Here is an oddity ... given that ours does not have a creche, nor does it allow children in I am always surprised at the number of people parked in the parent/child spaces ... and the chances of getting a disabled space at the gym are non-existent?

[Mo2013]

Ken, I find that there are a lot of lazy folk around, and it's the same anywhere - the supermarket, my GP's surgery - funnily enough my sister and her daughter all prefer to park away from entrances and the more crowded aisles because there is always some numpty who opens their car door and scrapes theirs!

[Boris+]

The gym is something which we use when we are onboard - if it is too wet to walk around the Prom Deck.

At home, on days when the weather permits we can have a walk virtually every day - and when it is wet and manky we ensure that we have a walk in an indoor shopping venue at least once a week.

Personally, I get bored on a walking, cycling or rowing machine - and cross trainers are just as bed; so I would rather have a walk, play a round etc and get my exercise that way.

We have always said though, that when we get older going to a gym is something which we would do more regularly simply because there are trainers and assistants present, just in case of a problem.

Em

[jay-ell71]

Sue had an appointment with the Practice Nurse today. She wont mind me telling you that her blood pressure is spot on, her cholesteol is 5.7, her BMI is below 24, although she is just 5' 3" her weight is comfortably below 9 stones. Not satisfied with that, they have described her as inactive, (despite our stairs, Sue's fetish for housework, all the walking we do etc.), and they have insisted on assessing her for cardio vascular disease, finally recommending she go to the gym. She came out quite despondent.

I say its NHS box ticking, and it is unreasonable to expect a 69 year old to start at the gym, weight lifting, cross trainer, rowing machines etc. What to Cruise Community think?

Your Sue is fine, it is just box ticking as you say. Your surgery gets paid for every test the do in these MOT thingies. Have the test by all means, but Sue sounds to be in perfect shape. Good on her.

[emjay45]

Frank I think Sue sounds fine to me. ( I'm not a doctor of course) I don't know why some people have a higher cholesterol level than others. Luck of the draw I would say. No I don't go to the gym. We have some lovely walks over here and as long as its not raining we prefer to walk in the fresh air, enjoying the lovely views.

[Delboy]

Well here is somebody over 70 who does not go to a gym, the nearest I got to one, was when I use to work at a Hotel, Golf, Country Club and Spa before retirement. Used the swimming pool a number of times, also our local towns swimming pools.

But don't normally partake of any organised activity such as a gym, my wife who has not reached 70 yet, does more exercise than me. Although she is not very good on her pins, she attends a Zumba Dance exercise class, with our daughter and DIL, and they certainly work up a sweat doing that. I know as I went to watch an outdoor class at the local cricket club one night, I certainly got up a sweat just watching them from the club house balcony, the pint nearly slipped out of my hand.

I am lucky my BMI, Cholesterol and Blood pressure are all fine, as I found out when twice over the past few months I have been rushed into hospital with excruciating chest pains, luckily they turned out not to be cardiac related but more gastric related.

However without the aid of exercise my weight slowly dropped by nearly a stone since this happened. I think mainly due to changing my eating habits, not so much what I eat, although I have cut out one or two things, but when I eat, main meal of the day now mid afternoon, just a light snack in the evening and no more meals on lap, always have my meals up at the table. Find this helps greatly with the indigestion, as well as the tablet I am on (not the one I am writing this on). Now weigh 12st 6lbs , height 5'10''.

I think one of the problems these days, is that there appears to be a set criteria for all, especially in regards to a persons BMI, and if you fit into this criteria, you are automatically labelled obese or whatever, does not appear to be any consideration to a persons build etc. As the OP said box ticking.

[Andrea S]

Ken, The OP was with reference to being advised to go to a gym for general health reasons. It then went on to ask how many people over 70 were likely to go to a gym.

It is surprising how many people of this age do go on a regular basis. Local residents over 60 can get a pass which gives very good discounts to encourage them to join .

. I agree that most people would get sufficient exercise if they walked more, but some older people have reduced mobility and gentle exercise could help them. It can also give them a social life.

I was over 70 when I started swimming on a regular basis and gradually started using some of the equipment.

To all of the posters who play golf or go for nice walks it has already become part of your 'daily' life. I am sure you also experience contentment from being out in the fresh air in beautiful surroundings. It would probably be much harder starting theses activities over the age of 70.

[karenandbob]

I have read all the replies with interest and have to add that even though I am not in my 70's yet (not long to go tho'), I try and go to my local leisure centres gym 4 times a week since I gave up smoking to try and keep my weight in control. I try and do 2000metres on the rowing machine, 45minutes on the treadmill - walking fast up and down hill and interspersing running into it as well, and then down onto the weights ( they are my favourites). I must admit I do feel better for this exercise, I also go for walks around the countryside at the week-ends with my OH.

There are several people at this gym who are in their late 60's and into their 70's who go and they use the rowing machines, bicycles, treadmills and cross trainer also the weights. I know of one lady who is in her 70's who goes swimming, then into the gym and then to aerobic classes and she looks wonderful for her age.

[Gill W]

Sounds as if Sue is in pretty good shape.

If she wanted to go to the gym a couple of times a week I don't think she'd be out of place.

But if she doesn't want to go, there's no reason for her to start, as long as she's getting her exercise and enjoying it.

[gfwgfw]

Dear Friend

Give your Sue a special treat . . . . at the Tiv

. . . . and gently jog home

Kindest regards to you both

Graham x

[Frank Manning]

Dear Friend

Give your Sue a special treat . . . . at the Tiv

. . . . and gently jog home

Kindest regards to you both

Graham x

Its about ten miles for us to jog Graham!!

Incidentally since coming back from J301 in April I have lost 14lbs, but we went out to a function today and several friends told both Sue and myself not to lose any more weight because we were beginning to look ill. It really cheers you up that kind of remark.

[Frank Manning]

I really admire those of you who are going to the gym, but I'm not sure its for us.

I reckon that our 40 minutes walk a day, housework, garden and golf are enough. Especially because on reflection the Nurse who made the comment to Sue was seriously overweight, and Sue looked positively sylph like next to her.

[jay-ell71]

My friends husband was told that he was overweight by a large nurse. He is slim and trim. Must be some sort of envy syndrome.

[Frank Manning]

I was also told by a very large nurse a few years ago that I was borderline obese. I am 6' 3"+, and at the time I weighed about 15 stone. Slightly overweight but not obese. Next time I saw the Doc, I asked him what he thought, and he said "You dont look obese to me, what is your diet like?". I said well I do admit to the odd chocolate biscuit". ( McV's plain choc, and I haven't had one for about 8 months! Purgatory!), so anyway the Doc says "Oh that wont make you obese."

When I arrived home and told Sue she said "I suppose you forgot to mention that its a whole packet at a time".

[haveabeer]

i am 65 go to the gym 3 times a week and when i started i was 15 stone now i am 12 1/2 stone i like going to gym its sociable and great fun
I disagree with Ken i have met may older people who have had hip and other joints replaced and they are there working out to the best of there ability
i have seen very large people trim down through sheer hard work.
Surely its better to be active and fitter i know i am.

[gfwgfw]

. . . . and you have a very firm but friendly handshake Frank

[Frank Manning]

I am sure you are right Haveabeer, and I wouldn't argue with you. I have come down in weight seriously over the past year, but I have to be honest and say that with all my other activities (Sue the same) I dont fancy lifting metal and working up a sweat. I dont consider myself lazy by any means, we aren't couch potatoes, and in any case Sue sets a cracking pace with household and garden jobs.

[melsea]

I can tell you from experience that exercising is not just about being thinner, it's all about keeping your body in good working order and your ability to heal and recover from any ailments or serious illness.

My OH who those of you may know was taken ill last November. As a result he was in hospital for a total of 28 days and had a 4 hour operation, a nurse who was part of the healing process said her husband took a year to recover from it. We thought wow that's serious. OH had operation, sent home after 11 days and 3 weeks later went back for a check up and they were astounded at how well he looked.
Two things aid his recovery, 1. He has good healing genes 2. Up until that point he and I went to our local club doing various classes 6 days a week. His blood pressure was the best on the ward and they said because he did that exercise he was able to heal quicker than most.
Believe me it's never too early or ate to do some form of exercise, there are two types of it, one for being active which helps the niggles at bay, the other is varied exercise involving moving in all directions, getting the heart rate up and if you can low bearing weight exercisers to keep healthy bones and muscles. I know that if I do not exercise my muscle around near my elbow plays up.
Exercises keeps your body well oiled like your car. If you leave it sitting there it will seize up just like a human body.

Today we got a letter to say the scan my OH got says he is clear of cancer and that the minute bit they did find did not spread. Good news today, it was a miracle they found it.

So folks whether you feel and look healthy it's good to do excercise. By the way I still go to our club but OH cannot do the same exercise as I do as he cannot do anything that requires stomach exercise but he can walk so that's where we shall be n our next cruise in less than two weeks walking around the top decks.

[royalprincess]

If you were watching the news this week you may have seen that the Chief Medical Officer stated along the lines that these "health checks" are a waste of time.

All it does is make money for the GP's - more ticks in their boxes = more money for the GP.

As for going to a gym my neighbour went to one once - wasn't supervised and hurt herself badly. Never been back obviously and still suffers from her injury.

If doing housework, walking up steps isn't consider being active I don't know what is. Didn't someone once say walking up stairs was good exercise - don't use the lift but walk upstairs instead. Gym's cost money and it annoys me that an obviously overweight nurse and doctor say "take more exercise" to which I usually reply "I will if you will". That usually stops the conversation flat.

As for those of you who have local authority keep fit classes lucky you - these have been withdrawn by my local council as not being cost effective!!