Going to the Gym... over 40s

[Dibby]

A latecomer to this thread.

My thoughts on the gym as someone who goes quite regular. I don't see much benefit from lifting weights for golf. The golf swing has very little to do with the size of your muscles. Not many pros are very big. What i do find is that playing golf within a few days of a good weight session can be a hindrance, due to the lack of mobility.

What i would recommend is not to push yourself too far with the weight, as all this brings is injuries. I missed the main part of the season last year with a torn bicep tendon from deadlifting. I've also had a traped nerve in my back for over 2 years from shoulder press.

More reps less weight and circuit training is better on the body I find. Though i can't help myself with the heavy weights as its almost part of my job! I just tone it down over the golf season. And mix your workouts up as much as you can.

As for actually going to the gym, don't worry about what anyone else is doing or what they are lifting. But do look out for people doing exercises that you hadn't thought of.

Oh and if you see a squat rack, its not for shoulder press, upright rows or bloody curls. Its for SQUATS!

Size of muscles doesn't have much to do with the swing, but force and power production does. Whilst mobility is important too, you need strength to swing the club faster, assuming that is a goal.

If your weight sessions are hindering mobility, I would suggest you are doing them wrong, and look to change your routine up. Same for the injuries, yes they sometimes happen, but mostly they are caused by an issue with form, or by working beyond your capability.

 

[stefanovic]

And that's all it is

You can do it in a few seconds. Compared to an hour in the gym, it's better imo.

However, there's no way I would even want to attempt it as I know that getting a zero would not be worth the effort and pain.

To begin just sit down on the floor and lever yourself up with one hand.

As far as fitness though, I'd happily take you on at a game of racketball/squash, shoot 144 arrows, walk 36 holes carrying, or a park run.

A long time since I've played squash, but I'd be willing. I carry my own bag when playing golf and could manage 36 holes. I can do a 2 mile jog. Been thinking of doing a park run.

If you don't want to attempt the SRT I also recommend the 5 Tibetan Rites which can be done in about 10 minutes. Bruce Forsyth was a big fan.

 

[Marshy77]

You can do it in a few seconds. Compared to an hour in the gym, it's better imo.


To begin just sit down on the floor and lever yourself up with one hand.


A long time since I've played squash, but I'd be willing. I carry my own bag when playing golf and could manage 36 holes. I can do a 2 mile jog. Been thinking of doing a park run.

If you don't want to attempt the SRT I also recommend the 5 Tibetan Rites which can be done in about 10 minutes. Bruce Forsyth was a big fan.

RIP Brucie.

 

[Wolf]

RIP Brucie.

Must've failed the SR test and took 6 years off his life ??‍

 

[pendodave]

Not trolling, but is it common not to be able to stand up and sit down? I've not got wifi atm, so couldn't watch the vid. Am i missing something? For reference, I'm 55, so maybe it's something that kicks in much later in life.

 

[Marshy77]

Must've failed the SR test and took 6 years off his life ??‍

 

[stefanovic]

Brucie lived to 89 (greater than average) and had a 70 year career. He wouldn't have heard of the SRT.
Give the 5T's a try to wake up your body. 21 clockwise spins followed by a 21 x 3 repetitions of yoga poses and ending with 21 x the 2 dogs.

But I do accept that people live to 100 who have never been to the gym, have never run a marathon, never done yoga or any special exercise other than walk.
Like a neighbour of mine who lived to 100. Her diet wasn't brilliant either, but I'm sure she followed her own instincts.
But at least the SRT and the 5 Tibetans are free. The guy who discovered them in a monastery in Tibet (Wilfred Malleson) after WW2 lived to a greater than average 80 for his time. There is life expectancy and also health expectancy. Average life expectancy now is actually decreasing.
Problem is we are force fed the idea that going to the gym is healthy when it's just there to take your money.

 

[Beezerk]

Ere Wolfster, I'm looking at joining a gym up here in the NE, what do you think I should look out for when doing my research?
I'm mainly looking at getting fitter and losing weight, I've had some bad injuries over the last three years and I'm now a goalkeeper in my team so I don't get the workout on a Saturday morning anymore. I've gone from the fittest I've been in years around 2017 to an overweight slob ?
What's your advice mate?

 

[hovis]

Brucie lived to 89 (greater than average) and had a 70 year career. He wouldn't have heard of the SRT.
Give the 5T's a try to wake up your body. 21 clockwise spins followed by a 21 x 3 repetitions of yoga poses and ending with 21 x the 2 dogs.

But I do accept that people live to 100 who have never been to the gym, have never run a marathon, never done yoga or any special exercise other than walk.
Like a neighbour of mine who lived to 100. Her diet wasn't brilliant either, but I'm sure she followed her own instincts.
But at least the SRT and the 5 Tibetans are free. The guy who discovered them in a monastery in Tibet (Wilfred Malleson) after WW2 lived to a greater than average 80 for his time. There is life expectancy and also health expectancy. Average life expectancy now is actually decreasing.
Problem is we are force fed the idea that going to the gym is healthy when it's just there to take your money.

what are you going on about? "we are force fed the idea that going to the gym is healthy" I'm not saying that all people that go to the gym are healthy but going to the gym is 100% a healthy activity. please enliten me to the unhealthy side to the gym?
this stand up sit down nonsense that you posted is a pile of crap. then you talk about Tibet and stuff???? what's all this 27 clockwise spins all about?

 

[Wolf]

Ere Wolfster, I'm looking at joining a gym up here in the NE, what do you think I should look out for when doing my research?
I'm mainly looking at getting fitter and losing weight, I've had some bad injuries over the last three years and I'm now a goalkeeper in my team so I don't get the workout on a Saturday morning anymore. I've gone from the fittest I've been in years around 2017 to an overweight slob ?
What's your advice mate?

Ey up Beezy... That's how northern people speak right ?

My key things I look for when setting up or refurbing new gyms are. A good area designated to stretching as this is so often overlooked by gyms and gym goers but is key. A decent dedicated functional fitness area that has a variety of kit e.g, slam balls, ropes, kettlebells etc (even better if you find one that has a sled, tyres, plyo boxes) . Good quality functioning cardio kit (ask them how old it is & how often its serviced) last thing you want is getting on a treadmill with a dodgy belt or a rowing machine with a chain that last saw WD40 in the 80s. Check the freewieghts/plates don't have any rubbers missing as they are included in the overall weight.

Kit wise thats your main essentials really, there are more I can add but that's all that you need worry about. Check out the classes timetable you might find something that interests you, I've taken part in some good ones over the years. As GK I'd say definitely find one that has the functional area as you can work on being functionally fit and explosive power.

Where about in the NE are you I may be able to make some suggestions for you. Need any advice on training or a kick-start in work out routines drop me a msg be happy to help mate.

Oh and if the gym has a pool find out when the aqua classes are on and avoid like the plague ?

 

[stefanovic]

going to the gym is 100% a healthy activity. please enliten me to the unhealthy side to the gym?

Well apart from the bacteria and germs and foul sweaty air it's nothing but a relatively recent health craze fad.
Just go for a natural fresh air walk or bike ride or jog (free outdoor gym). Commercial gyms are always indoors.
And read this: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jan/05/gym-genius-con-exercise-hungry

talk about Tibet and stuff???? what's all this 27 clockwise spins all about?

21 not 27 spins is regarded as optimum. T5T's were based on Kum Nye yoga for monks who only had a limited time to set aside.
Hundreds of videos are available on the net. Give them a try and then you can criticise.

 

[hovis]

Well apart from the bacteria and germs and foul sweaty air it's nothing but a relatively recent health craze fad.
Just go for a natural fresh air walk or bike ride or jog (free outdoor gym). Commercial gyms are always indoors.
And read this: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jan/05/gym-genius-con-exercise-hungry


21 not 27 spins is regarded as optimum. T5T's were based on Kum Nye yoga for monks who only had a limited time to set aside.
Hundreds of videos are available on the net. Give them a try and then you can criticise.

you've lost the plot mate

 

[Beezerk]

Ey up Beezy... That's how northern people speak right ?

My key things I look for when setting up or refurbing new gyms are. A good area designated to stretching as this is so often overlooked by gyms and gym goers but is key. A decent dedicated functional fitness area that has a variety of kit e.g, slam balls, ropes, kettlebells etc (even better if you find one that has a sled, tyres, plyo boxes) . Good quality functioning cardio kit (ask them how old it is & how often its serviced) last thing you want is getting on a treadmill with a dodgy belt or a rowing machine with a chain that last saw WD40 in the 80s. Check the freewieghts/plates don't have any rubbers missing as they are included in the overall weight.

Kit wise thats your main essentials really, there are more I can add but that's all that you need worry about. Check out the classes timetable you might find something that interests you, I've taken part in some good ones over the years. As GK I'd say definitely find one that has the functional area as you can work on being functionally fit and explosive power.

Where about in the NE are you I may be able to make some suggestions for you. Need any advice on training or a kick-start in work out routines drop me a msg be happy to help mate.

Oh and if the gym has a pool find out when the aqua classes are on and avoid like the plague ?

Eyup mate, yes you got that one right ?
I'm up in Gateshead, I've been in touch with a mate who suggested using a Go Gateshead membership, looks to be about £30 a month and you can use 5 local gyms iirc. Nearest one to me is about 5 miles.
If you get a minute check out the website and let me know how it looks. They're all in brand new leisure centres and AFAIK they all have top notch gear.

 

[Wolf]

Eyup mate, yes you got that one right ?
I'm up in Gateshead, I've been in touch with a mate who suggested using a Go Gateshead membership, looks to be about £30 a month and you can use 5 local gyms iirc. Nearest one to me is about 5 miles.
If you get a minute check out the website and let me know how it looks. They're all in brand new leisure centres and AFAIK they all have top notch gear.

The benefits of previously dating a Geordie lass there were some linguistics i picked up when i could actually understand her?

At a quick glance I'd say the website is a bit naff as all it does is provide a list of what they have rather than give any images of layout etc. But if it's the technogym kit I believe itnis from reading their website then it should be the new kit they released which you can get a mobile app for to help track workouts including reps and sets. Other than kettlebells doesn't give much description of functional kit but overall for what you'll be using it for sounds pretty decent, plus you have luxury of multiple venues, pool etc so sounds worth a go to me.

 

[chellie]

Varied PT session today for me including bench presses on the Smith machine, fly chest with cables, medicine ball slams, clean and jerks and some other bits. Finished off with the power stepper getting into the red line zone.

 

[williamalex1]

Easy to be fit when you're younger [ below 73 ] and your body allows it . I was an Adonis until recently

 

[chellie]

Easy to be fit when you're younger [ below 73 ] and your body allows it . I was an Adonis until recently

I may be under 73 but have a dodgy neck and shoulder. I am trying to get fit as I'm not a spring chicken myself and have never done half the stuff I'm doing now. Feeling quite proud of myself

 

[williamalex1]

Ere Wolfster, I'm looking at joining a gym up here in the NE, what do you think I should look out for when doing my research?
I'm mainly looking at getting fitter and losing weight, I've had some bad injuries over the last three years and I'm now a goalkeeper in my team so I don't get the workout on a Saturday morning anymore. I've gone from the fittest I've been in years around 2017 to an overweight slob ?
What's your advice mate?

Oi watch it, overweight slobs make good goal keepers

 

[Wolf]

Easy to be fit when you're younger [ below 73 ] and your body allows it . I was an Adonis until recently

You should try telling my old man that it's for the Young ?
He's also 73 still can bench press more than his age in KG, not to mention all the functional stuff he does.
Even now he has calves a Mr Olympia would be proud of.

Oi watch it, overweight slobs make good goal keepers

My favourite overweight goalkeeper was Big Jimmy Stannard.

 

[williamalex1]

I may be under 73 but have a dodgy neck and shoulder. I am trying to get fit as I'm not a spring chicken myself and have never done half the stuff I'm doing now. Feeling quite proud of myself

Well done and keep up the good work Chellie but don't push your body too far, spare parts for older models are very expensive hard to find and rarer than hen's false teeth