Age appropriate exercise?

All the information I read about exercise places people in catagories of: beginner, moderate, advanced (or some other similar category). I feel like I am at a moderate level, because the beginner's level does little for me. However, there are some moderate level exercises that cause me some discomfort because of my "bad back", creaky knees, weak wrists, etc...

I am late in my 40's and am beginning to wonder if the exercises in the fitness magazines are really for the younger ladies out there. Any input?

Tue. Apr 1, 12:25pm

Well, you're not ready for "AARP Aerobics" yet!!!
Maybe Prevention magazine/website is better at taking these things into consideration?

But as someone who has had lower back/sciatic issues since the age of 19 (and I was thin then), I think your problem is more individual than age-related.

However the one thing I have learned that is age-related is that picking up a high-impact sport like running when you're over 35. If you've never had a habit of doing that sport growing up, then you really need to listen to your body and be prepared to take it very slowly or give it up and do something else. Ask yourself if it's worth knee/shoulder/etc. surgery and 3 months of rehab in the near future...but then, I'm in a profession where I see the consequences of this almost daily.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008, 12:36 PM

swimming is always good.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008, 1:35 PM

Swimming, walking, dancing

Tuesday, April 01, 2008, 1:40 PM

YOGA!!!

It helped me with everything and now I can do more exercises that used to hurt my wrists, knees, etc. And doing the Vinyasa yoga (power yoga) kicks my behind and is a workout itself.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008, 2:56 PM

You might find Miriam Nelson's books and web site helpful. The web site is:
www.strongwomen.com
One of her books is:
Strong Women Stay Young

I'm 55 and sometimes feel like I'm about to fall apart, but I still try to exercise regularly (walking, biking, and weight lifting). The exercise keeps the deterioration in check: the instant I stop exercising everything starts hurting again, or more.

Good luck!

Tuesday, April 01, 2008, 3:01 PM

OP here...so it sounds like the achiness will be reduced with exercise? I wasn't sure if strength training and yoga would help or hurt. I will give it a try...thanks.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008, 7:55 AM

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