What is your favorite type of workout? Aging dilemma

Gemini2874 · 01-25-24, 12:20 PM

For me, it’s cardio-all day, everyday. Cardio is always a no dread workout for me. If I could, I would do endless cardio. In fact, I have done hours of cardio at a time. Nothing brings me mental calmness and an overall happy feeling like low impact, steady state cardio. I know I should do other things so I do but I wish I didn’t have too. However, when I do just yoga and yoga fusion and nothing else, my body feels the best. No stiffness. No aches and pains. I feel so mobile and pliable. Even though I feel so good, I still go back to cardio. I tried combining them and I tried doing them on opposite days but I don’t get that same pain free feeling unless I do only yoga and yoga fusion. But, I also don’t enjoy my workouts as much as when I do cardio so that makes me workout less frequently. It’s quite a catch-22. As I get older, I like the balance, flexibility and no aches and pains that yoga and yoga fusion provide. I just wish I loved it as much as cardio. At what point, if ever, did you change your workout type to better suit functional fitness as you aged?

zoegirl · 01-25-24, 02:58 PM

I haven't necessarily switched, but I have added in yoga, Pilates and barre. I always struggled with how to fit these in, since evenings were frequently walks with my DH and/or strength training. And I have never been one to work out in the morning. But I have started doing a 30 minute yoga, Pilates, barre or mobility workout in the morning, 4 days a week, and have been AMAZED at what a difference I can feel, mainly in my core and legs. I have known that I needed to work on balance and flexibility, but am pleasantly surprised with the strength aspect. Using Jessica Smith, Suzanne Bowen, and some You Tube Pilates instructors. I still try to do a walking workout in the evenings to combat the effects of my desk job.

PhyllisG · 01-25-24, 03:32 PM

Yoga

Izzy · 01-25-24, 04:28 PM

In no particular order and I am 68.

Walking/hiking, biking, yoga (with the instructor I go to at a plant shop), Essentrics, and barre (like Ellen).

I try to get in at least 2-3 variations of these each day. But I walk most days and add any of the others.

fatkat555 · 01-25-24, 04:53 PM

I prefer barre, muscle endurance type workouts (high reps, low weight), AWT Firm, and Yoga. I go for many dog walks, but oddly I don’t count that as exercise. I have little dogs, so many be that’s why.

I am trying to learn some Pilates.

I tend to avoid Cardio.

In a perfect world, I’d do 45 minutes of yoga in the morning and 45 minutes of another type of exercise in the evening. The reality is that I’m happy now if I can get 20 minutes of anything. My goal is to do 20 minutes of yoga, 20 minutes of other activities while slowly bumping the time up. If I do a more strenuous yoga like power yoga or vinyasa, the other activity would be gentle.

rhbrand · 01-25-24, 04:55 PM

Heavy lifting. On my own mostly.

Go as heavy as I can. Get as strong as Wonder Woman, if I can

psupam · 01-25-24, 05:04 PM

I would have to say cardio is my favorite but what I do has changed (I am 74 now). For years I mostly ran but in my early 50's I developed knee arthritis so that went. I also found out around this time that I am osteopenic so I started regular strength training. For cardio I do Zumba, step aerobics, my elliptical and walking. For strength the FIRM and some Cathe, a few others. I am trying to add yoga as I need to improve my balance and for stress relief.

JackieB · 01-25-24, 05:14 PM

Same that I have done for years: Essentrics, Ellen, walk.

AnMrsDe · 01-25-24, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhbrand

Heavy lifting. On my own mostly.

Go as heavy as I can. Get as strong as Wonder Woman, if I can

Yup, weights!!

donnamp · 01-25-24, 05:20 PM

Gemini - you and I are twins! Steady State cardio is my favorite and brings about the relaxation response you describe! I also love fusion type workouts - mostly with Ellen. But I force myself to do other things thinking that I "need" more traditional weight training to age well and be functional in my later years. But if I had my choice, I would do steady state cardio and some type of fusion-Pilates-Yoga-Essentrics type of workout on repeat.

Donna

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01-25-24, 12:20 PM
Gemini2874 VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2021	What is your favorite type of workout? Aging dilemma For me, it’s cardio-all day, everyday. Cardio is always a no dread workout for me. If I could, I would do endless cardio. In fact, I have done hours of cardio at a time. Nothing brings me mental calmness and an overall happy feeling like low impact, steady state cardio. I know I should do other things so I do but I wish I didn’t have too. However, when I do just yoga and yoga fusion and nothing else, my body feels the best. No stiffness. No aches and pains. I feel so mobile and pliable. Even though I feel so good, I still go back to cardio. I tried combining them and I tried doing them on opposite days but I don’t get that same pain free feeling unless I do only yoga and yoga fusion. But, I also don’t enjoy my workouts as much as when I do cardio so that makes me workout less frequently. It’s quite a catch-22. As I get older, I like the balance, flexibility and no aches and pains that yoga and yoga fusion provide. I just wish I loved it as much as cardio. At what point, if ever, did you change your workout type to better suit functional fitness as you aged? __________________ “My life wouldn't be easier if I were thin. My life would be easier if this culture wasn't obsessed with oppressing me because I'm fat. The solution to a problem like bigotry is not to do everything in our power to accommodate the bigotry. It is to get rid of the bigotry.”- Virgie Tovar

01-25-24, 02:58 PM
zoegirl Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas	I haven't necessarily switched, but I have added in yoga, Pilates and barre. I always struggled with how to fit these in, since evenings were frequently walks with my DH and/or strength training. And I have never been one to work out in the morning. But I have started doing a 30 minute yoga, Pilates, barre or mobility workout in the morning, 4 days a week, and have been AMAZED at what a difference I can feel, mainly in my core and legs. I have known that I needed to work on balance and flexibility, but am pleasantly surprised with the strength aspect. Using Jessica Smith, Suzanne Bowen, and some You Tube Pilates instructors. I still try to do a walking workout in the evenings to combat the effects of my desk job.

01-25-24, 03:32 PM
PhyllisG Join Date: May 2005 Location: Woodstock NY	Yoga

01-25-24, 04:28 PM
Izzy Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West of Chicago in the Illinois Corn Belt	In no particular order and I am 68. Walking/hiking, biking, yoga (with the instructor I go to at a plant shop), Essentrics, and barre (like Ellen). I try to get in at least 2-3 variations of these each day. But I walk most days and add any of the others. __________________ Mary

01-25-24, 04:53 PM
fatkat555 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans metro area	I prefer barre, muscle endurance type workouts (high reps, low weight), AWT Firm, and Yoga. I go for many dog walks, but oddly I don’t count that as exercise. I have little dogs, so many be that’s why. I am trying to learn some Pilates. I tend to avoid Cardio. In a perfect world, I’d do 45 minutes of yoga in the morning and 45 minutes of another type of exercise in the evening. The reality is that I’m happy now if I can get 20 minutes of anything. My goal is to do 20 minutes of yoga, 20 minutes of other activities while slowly bumping the time up. If I do a more strenuous yoga like power yoga or vinyasa, the other activity would be gentle. __________________ Fatkat You have to make a mess, sometimes, to clean it up. DISCLOSURE: I have a professional relationship with a seller or producer of fitness videos or products. For details, please see my profile.

01-25-24, 04:55 PM
rhbrand Join Date: Nov 2001	Heavy lifting. On my own mostly. Go as heavy as I can. Get as strong as Wonder Woman, if I can __________________ Check out my Blog Link in Profile on Home Page

01-25-24, 05:04 PM
psupam Join Date: Dec 2005	I would have to say cardio is my favorite but what I do has changed (I am 74 now). For years I mostly ran but in my early 50's I developed knee arthritis so that went. I also found out around this time that I am osteopenic so I started regular strength training. For cardio I do Zumba, step aerobics, my elliptical and walking. For strength the FIRM and some Cathe, a few others. I am trying to add yoga as I need to improve my balance and for stress relief.

01-25-24, 05:14 PM
JackieB VF Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Minnesota	Same that I have done for years: Essentrics, Ellen, walk. __________________ Jackie Certified Essentrics Instructor, Level 4---February 2017 Yoga Tune Up Roll Model Method Practitioner---December 2021 "Movement is a privilege. You don't have to exercise. You get to exercise. Visit a person whose mobility is severely limited, and you'll appreciate the distinction. Do what you can, count yourself lucky, heal yourself in the process." Essentrics Colorado

01-25-24, 05:20 PM
donnamp Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Maryland, USA	Gemini - you and I are twins! Steady State cardio is my favorite and brings about the relaxation response you describe! I also love fusion type workouts - mostly with Ellen. But I force myself to do other things thinking that I "need" more traditional weight training to age well and be functional in my later years. But if I had my choice, I would do steady state cardio and some type of fusion-Pilates-Yoga-Essentrics type of workout on repeat. Donna