Exercise. The Times They Are A-Changin’.
By Karen and Erica
Do you exercise?
We both walk, a lot and fast–which sometimes is counterproductive–and we do strength exercises as well, to deal with osteoporosis and hopefully to help to fend off dementia. We both would probably rather do other things, like sleep in and eat bonbons. We liked how people acted when we were younger—the diets were more fun and only Jane Fonda exercised. But we have come to the view that exercise is important for mental and physical health.
We did not grow up thinking exercise was important–and apparently not too many other people did either. We certainly had no expectation that exercise had a neurological component, or that machines like Peleton–or human trainers for that matter–would play such a large role in something as simple as exercise.
Two articles in the Wall Street Journal tell the stories that bookend our experience.
The first, a book review entitled Fit Nation Review: Go, You Chicken Fat, Go, notes that in the glorious olden days, not all that long ago, being plump meant you were prosperous, and exercising was deemed suspicious. Few people worked out, until Jack LaLanne and a few others realized they could sell training. Exercise other than manual labor ultimately became the province of the successful. As the article rather snarkily notes:
Meanwhile, for the affluent, fitness and its accessories have become, like organic food, a form of acceptable conspicuous consumption. Fitness is “self-care” and therefore somehow virtuous rather than frivolous. Fitness (and its spawn, “wellness”) became just another path to demonstrating success, from the thrusting ’80s, when white-collar types sweated it out at racquetball or marathons, to the extreme hot-yoga craze of the early 2000s. And we all like to look like we’re exercising by wearing athleisure. (Of course, we’re not. Gyms are the only industry to operate on a business model that assumes most paying customers won’t show up: Self-reported fitness participation rates are apparently matched in their upward trajectory by adult obesity rates.)
Just for the record—we dislike the word athleisure and the outfits it describes, and even more the word wellness. We never did and never plan to do anything extreme in the exercise arena. We just learned to do a modicum of movement.
The second article reflects how far exercise has come and where it might go. These are some of the characteristics of the new workout world:
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Neuromuscular training will gain in importance.
Now mainly used to rehab pro athletes with injuries, neuromuscular training is likely to become a complement to strength and cardio workouts for aging baby boomers, says Andrew Jagim, director of sports-medicine research at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wis. This coming wave of seniors is particularly suited for such training, he says. Many have previous injuries, multiple areas of muscle weakness or lack adequate mobility, he notes. “Targeted neuromuscular training can help them re-establish some of these temporary losses in motor control, the ability to properly activate a muscle group, or to help improve a weak muscle group.”
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Workout clothes will monitor vital signs–and also tell us when we are not doing something right, or when we need to do more, and may even take the place of human trainers. (We already find it annoying when our iPhones tell us we aren’t doing as well as we did last week with our 10,000 steps, so we’re not sure about clothes that yell at us.)
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Working out will happen in venues that give us additional health benefits–or, presumably, in the metaverse.
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AI will gives us even more unappreciated advice.
Yikes. It all sounds a little nuts. We don’t want to sound like Luddites, but most of us really just need to move a bit more than we do. We don’t need to know at all times how much oxygen is in our muscles, and we might not respond well to monitors that scold us.
We’ll see what the future brings. We hope to live lives long and healthy enough to try the new machines out—and we hope all those smart people realize that what we really need is a machine that does the exercise for us. Meanwhile, we’ll keep walking, and lifting groceries, and trying to maintain our sanity. Crossed fingers!
Do you work out? Or wear athleisure when you go out? Do tell!
I think keeping active is critical for overall mental and physical health. I am 58 and I do exercise classes twice a week with weights and cardio, and I walk my dog every day. I don’t go nuts and could do more, but the alternative of not keeping moving is not a good option, at least for me. As far as athleisure wear, it’s really not necessary 🤣
Love this! At 61, Athleisure wear for the win! I have a wonderful personal trainer that does strength training/yoga with me twice a week and keeps me accountable. Try to walk outside at a local park when I feel like it. If I don’t do some type of exercise/movement in the a.m. it doesn’t happen! 3-4 times a week max. is all I’m up for these days.
I do strength training with a personal trainer three days and cardio on my own (walking outdoors or treadmill depending on the weather).
Yes, I have to admit to wearing “atheleisure” when I go out! We live in a very active, outdoors oriented town and the normal way of life is to meet up with friends for an impromptu hike or yoga class… that is when we aren’t skiing or playing golf!
I have been working out for 35 years. Currently 67 and with retirement, I ramped up my exercising, especially during covid as I could and I love it. I work out a minimum of 30 minutes daily – from yin yoga, to pump, to dance and bounce. Had a dexascan recently and bone density increased. So it does work.
Work out clothes are for working out – not a fan at all for anthleisure for every day.
Thanks!
Hi,
I have done some of kind of exercise most of my life – for some unknown reason, I guess. In some instances, that time gave me time for myself and I appreciated that.
I am now 81 – closer to 82 – years old. I just had a hip and shoulder replaced due to arthritis gifted by my mother. I’m now ready to get back to workout classes 4-6 days a week and volunteering at the library where I lift a lot of books and push carts around. In both places, the workouts are great but the community of friends I have made in both places keep me going.
I walk as well, having picked up the habit during COVID when my other activities became unavailable.
And I still have plenty of time for other more sedentary aspects of my life.
Thanks, Lustre, for another word in my lexicon: neuromuscular training. Laughing with you.
Ruth
Love this article. It makes perfect sense! Let’s just keep moving!!
I have worked to stay active most of my life but not to the extreme. I believe in moderation, and I do it for the mental health benefits as well as the physical. I prefer though to be "playing" rather than feeling like I am working out. I love badminton and dancing and just wish I could find other folks that are interested and want to have fun. Not interested in competition or keeping score. Used to play pickleball way back before it gained in popularity but enjoyed it more when just volleying back and forth. I do think we need to stay active and it is harder now because our culture has become so sedentary. I believe our bodies were made to move and it is just a shame that it can’t be done without creating a business that takes money knowing folks won’t show up. Get out in nature, dance, skip, -have fun!
Perhaps if you’d like to tell others your location, they may be interested in joining you for some dancing and badminton. You never know.
I have exercised all my life as a member of athletic teams through college. Now that I am retired, I walk my dog an hour each day and strength train at a gym three days a week. I always feel better physically and mentally afterwards.
I do some sort of exercise every day. In the morning. Sometimes it is “enjoyable” and other days, not so much. But, I find even a little sets the tone for the day. And no, I do not wear workout clothes outside my home.
I absolutely LOVE the ‘Silver Sneakers’ workouts-especially the ‘on demand’ since you can do those anytime you are ready:) I’ve joined the YMCA as well, pay nothing under that program and do Zumba and strength training when classes are convenient.
I am 73 years and walk everyday as well as strength training twice a week. I pay a coach to challenge me once a week. I find it challenges me to go just a step above what I do on my own. I always feel better after exercising- walking, biking, Zumba and lifting!!!
I bought a Hydrow (interactive, live and on-demand guided rows) in mid-2020 and have used it 2-3 times each week since then. I also average 10,000 steps daily, often indoors after dinner to cap off whatever steps I’ve gained during the day. I feel better and have more muscle tone that ever before, since exercise was never a priority or focus for me growing up in the 60’s. My mother recently passed at 102 YO, so if I end up living nearly as long as she did, I plan to stay healthy physically and mentally. Onward!
I am still a practicing physician and see the results every day of staying active (better attitudes and better health) vs. “giving up”. So many people just let the laziness win, which also means that their diabetes/hypertension weight gain all get worse and then they end up disabled. They may not see themselves as disabled but when you’re on 10 medications and your BMI is 35 that’s your problem and fine if you want to live like that but you need to own it. Don’t come in complaining about how your back hurts and you can’t breathe.
Do what you can as long as you can to fight gravity and maintain your health. It’s not your doctor’s job.
See the website “Growing Bolder”. There are plenty of folks over 50 who are not “going quietly”!
At age nearly 62, I use an elliptical daily for an hour every day and that seems to keep me fit and mentally satisfied I’m getting my necessary exercise for my health.
When I retired 12/2020, at 65, my husband suggested I get a personal trainer. Then once I learned the routine, I could do it from home. Except I wouldn’t. I love the gym’s social aspect. Not surprisingly, 90% of us who come at 8:00 am are retired like I am. I actually look forward to going 2-3 times a week and the strength training has strengthened me. I fill with pure glee when I occasionally get compliments on being strong. I want to do this forever! I worked out next to an 82-year-old man yesterday in excellent shape. I aspire! Every other day, I go to yoga class. It feels like the ideal complement to strength training. I have even attended three yoga retreats in the last year in Denver, Scottsdale, and Italy! My jam is workouts and travel. Win-win! A large part of my enthusiasm comes from the fact that my 72 y.o. sister suffered nerve damage in a neck surgery. It presents like a stroke. She must use a walker, is depressed and aside from PT 3 times/wk, she is inactive. I can’t even… so off I go to take care of myself as best as I can. And yes, I wear athleisure out in public. All. The. Time.
62 and I work out daily with a moderate YouTube program targeted towards post menopausal women. Walk the treadmill most days until the weather improves. Ride a horse 3-5 times per week.
Used to go to the gym for a social outlet as I worked online and isolated but COVID got me working out at home and I love it. Save $ and do it early before I do anything else. Retired so I have flexibility to do this.
I don’t wear athleisure out and about in the winter but will in summer.
During lockdown I started working out to Youtube videos and I continued because it’s convenient, easy, fun – and free. I also walk. I was going to yoga with weights classes specifically targeted to seniors, but had to stop due to my work schedule. I REALLY miss those classes!
I’m 64 and walk my dogs at least twice a day. Previous hip revision and future knee replacement might slow me a bit but I wear my Iwatch and make sure on good days that I make the 30 minute exercise threshold. I work on leg exercises and hand weights some days and YouTube Yoga and Tai Chi Shibashi other days. I take a day off when needed; I listen to my body
Both. Grew up as an athlete (1st Title IX athletic scholarship from my HS) then grew into the Wellness to eventually lead and develop Corporate on-site wellness programming. Live & breathe the life, but not the general lie. Because although Fitness is sold as aesthetic, it is so much more mental & spiritual in it’s pursuit. And there are so many ways to add physical activity into our lives…working out is only 1.
As far a clothing-Function is top priority while participating. And some are just so darn fashionable, that wearing elsewhere is…well, fashionable. lol.
Sherrill