What's your experience of being 'really fit'
Discussion
Hoofy said:
Yes, at 52, my primary goal is to not live my latter years struggling to get up from the ground or open a jar without assistance. Having witnessed family members struggle with that in their 70s and 80s, as well as having worked in a care home, I know what happens when you just don't push your body - it happily complies.
I agree with this. Being fit and healthy feels great -possibly even better than constantly chomping snacks, takeaways and watching Love Island!Given the terrible condition of many in their 30s onwards, a lot of people are going to be struggling well before their 70s.
okgo said:
Of course and that’s why it’s likely brilliant for most people as something to get into - it literally is ALL round fitness. But my hunch is very few/none would be world class in any one discipline. Triathletes possibly similar - though harder to tell as you get so many ex pro’s from one sport becoming triathletes vs the other way round all that often.
I think you underestimate the top guys nowadays, their performance levels are insane - I think most would excel if they focused on one given thing. But that’s not what they need to do. okgo said:
Of course and that’s why it’s likely brilliant for most people as something to get into - it literally is ALL round fitness. But my hunch is very few/none would be world class in any one discipline. Triathletes possibly similar - though harder to tell as you get so many ex pro’s from one sport becoming triathletes vs the other way round all that often.
They are world class at what they do/train for.Daley Thompson wasn't a world class 1500m runner.
MC Bodge said:
They are world class at what they do/train for.
Daley Thompson wasn't a world class 1500m runner.
Exactly- no one is going to be world class at everything at the same time- it’s not possible. So you look for the most balanced athlete. Those that tick all the boxes - strong, fit, have endurance, mobility, explosive power, high work capacity. Daley Thompson wasn't a world class 1500m runner.
This thread is fantastic, humbling and motivating! And true to PH laugh out loud!
I was talking to a 2nd Dan KF chap in the gym about keeping fitness and his leaving wisdom was ‘die well’. Another quote I stumbled across was ‘dancers die twice. Once when they stop dancing and then when they die. The first is the most painful’
Don’t stop challenging yourself …
Kuwahara said:
I did a lot of running and thought I was pretty fit, then I started doing the same distance but with an ex Royal Marine,f
k me that was an eye opener.
I was fit enough to mountain bike and run, whatever, whenever, wherever I wanted or found myself in the world on company business over many years. Now retired and looking back I would urge everyone to keep up whatever floats your boat! Recovering what has slipped away is tough.k me that was an eye opener.I was talking to a 2nd Dan KF chap in the gym about keeping fitness and his leaving wisdom was ‘die well’. Another quote I stumbled across was ‘dancers die twice. Once when they stop dancing and then when they die. The first is the most painful’
Don’t stop challenging yourself …
MC Bodge said:
Hoofy said:
Yes, at 52, my primary goal is to not live my latter years struggling to get up from the ground or open a jar without assistance. Having witnessed family members struggle with that in their 70s and 80s, as well as having worked in a care home, I know what happens when you just don't push your body - it happily complies.
I agree with this. Being fit and healthy feels great -possibly even better than constantly chomping snacks, takeaways and watching Love Island!Given the terrible condition of many in their 30s onwards, a lot of people are going to be struggling well before their 70s.
Anyway, much to the dismay of my opposition at tennis yesterday, and despite the fact that I was knackered and it was far too hot to be running, I managed to rescue a handful of cheeky dropshots to win the points, sprinting from behind the baseline. Not bad for a 50-something!
ian in lancs said:
Another quote I stumbled across was ‘dancers die twice. Once when they stop dancing and then when they die. The first is the most painful’
Anyone with a sporting identity suffers when they retire. Now imagine it earns you millions and you have to retire at thirty. What do you do? All you know is footie. Become a pundit wittering about nonsense the whole time? If you're into sport then always have a backup plan plan when it goes tits - because if you're competitive the law of averages says it will, at some stage.I think I'm reasonably fit. Cycle circa 120 miles a week or so, walk 10/15 a week and run a couple of times a week on average, but I'm too heavy/fat really. I tend to do something every day, more often than not it's a ride plus a walk. For me being fit is the ability to do what activity I want without really thinking about it. Rode from Southampton to Poole the other night with an average HR of 129. My friend who's just got back riding averaged 148. I then went and rode 55 miles the following morning without issue.
I think it's easy to think you're not fit when compared to others you know (Strava friends etc) but when you think about the average person's fitness, if you can run a 5k you're doing better than something like 95% of the population.
I think the best for all round fitness are those nutters who do Hyrox. That's another level!
I think it's easy to think you're not fit when compared to others you know (Strava friends etc) but when you think about the average person's fitness, if you can run a 5k you're doing better than something like 95% of the population.
I think the best for all round fitness are those nutters who do Hyrox. That's another level!
ian in lancs said:
Another quote I stumbled across was ‘dancers die twice. Once when they stop dancing and then when they die. The first is the most painful’
Brutal. I'm finding it comes in stages; the biggest one is accepting that you're no longer training to get better, merely training to stand still. Sadly I'm now in the managed decline stage of my particular activity.But I compensate that with the beginner's gains of new sports I've never done before.
Hoofy said:
MC Bodge said:
Hoofy said:
Yes, at 52, my primary goal is to not live my latter years struggling to get up from the ground or open a jar without assistance. Having witnessed family members struggle with that in their 70s and 80s, as well as having worked in a care home, I know what happens when you just don't push your body - it happily complies.
I agree with this. Being fit and healthy feels great -possibly even better than constantly chomping snacks, takeaways and watching Love Island!Given the terrible condition of many in their 30s onwards, a lot of people are going to be struggling well before their 70s.
Anyway, much to the dismay of my opposition at tennis yesterday, and despite the fact that I was knackered and it was far too hot to be running, I managed to rescue a handful of cheeky dropshots to win the points, sprinting from behind the baseline. Not bad for a 50-something!
Ive found the actual quote - “A dancer dies twice — once when they stop dancing, and this first death is the more painful.” - Martha Graham.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Graham
Maybe theres an element of being super fit that is making a difference; being different, pushing the boundaries, creating records that stand the test of time.
Greatest of their time, GOAT's?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Graham
Maybe theres an element of being super fit that is making a difference; being different, pushing the boundaries, creating records that stand the test of time.
Greatest of their time, GOAT's?
Edited by ian in lancs on Tuesday 20th August 07:57
ian in lancs said:
Hoofy said:
MC Bodge said:
Hoofy said:
Yes, at 52, my primary goal is to not live my latter years struggling to get up from the ground or open a jar without assistance. Having witnessed family members struggle with that in their 70s and 80s, as well as having worked in a care home, I know what happens when you just don't push your body - it happily complies.
I agree with this. Being fit and healthy feels great -possibly even better than constantly chomping snacks, takeaways and watching Love Island!Given the terrible condition of many in their 30s onwards, a lot of people are going to be struggling well before their 70s.
Anyway, much to the dismay of my opposition at tennis yesterday, and despite the fact that I was knackered and it was far too hot to be running, I managed to rescue a handful of cheeky dropshots to win the points, sprinting from behind the baseline. Not bad for a 50-something!
S100HP said:
I think I'm reasonably fit. Cycle circa 120 miles a week or so, walk 10/15 a week and run a couple of times a week on average, but I'm too heavy/fat really. I tend to do something every day, more often than not it's a ride plus a walk. For me being fit is the ability to do what activity I want without really thinking about it. Rode from Southampton to Poole the other night with an average HR of 129. My friend who's just got back riding averaged 148. I then went and rode 55 miles the following morning without issue.
I think it's easy to think you're not fit when compared to others you know (Strava friends etc) but when you think about the average person's fitness, if you can run a 5k you're doing better than something like 95% of the population.
I think the best for all round fitness are those nutters who do Hyrox. That's another level!
This bit is very important, ive got good mates at the gym and do Spartan events with a friend from my old company and its very easy to forget that they are not representative. I think it's easy to think you're not fit when compared to others you know (Strava friends etc) but when you think about the average person's fitness, if you can run a 5k you're doing better than something like 95% of the population.
I think the best for all round fitness are those nutters who do Hyrox. That's another level!
Hyrox is brilliant, pushes me far more than any other training i have done, which is both good and bad. It has made me discover that I have a few weak points, my knees were aching and the physio invetigated and found that my actual knees are okay its that my balance between my quads and hamstrings is out and I have weak hip flexors.
Things I have probably always had but only when pushing with lots of hyrox training that they manifested. First event in october and while im sure ill get round I am sadly reassessing my goals for my time.
Hoofy said:
I regularly witness people half my age in a slow waddle across the Tesco car park.
I do wonder what goes through the minds of these people when they see people of their own age, or much older, who are in good condition. I suspect that many of them have convinced themselves that it is all "genetic". Getting out of the poor lifestyle *habits* trap will be almost impossible for most of them, even if medicine produces solutions to obesity, which is only one aspect, albeit the most significant.
Hoofy said:
Anyway, much to the dismay of my opposition at tennis yesterday, and despite the fact that I was knackered and it was far too hot to be running, I managed to rescue a handful of cheeky dropshots to win the points, sprinting from behind the baseline. Not bad for a 50-something!
Keep up the good work! I am now viewed as a bit of an oddity/curiosity. Late 40s, but lean, fairly strong and with a range of physical skills and experience that make me more capable than most men 15-20 years younger than me. There is no secret to it, though, and people are free to do what I do.
BevR said:
This bit is very important, ive got good mates at the gym and do Spartan events with a friend from my old company and its very easy to forget that they are not representative.
Hyrox is brilliant, pushes me far more than any other training i have done, which is both good and bad. It has made me discover that I have a few weak points, my knees were aching and the physio invetigated and found that my actual knees are okay its that my balance between my quads and hamstrings is out and I have weak hip flexors.
Things I have probably always had but only when pushing with lots of hyrox training that they manifested. First event in october and while im sure ill get round I am sadly reassessing my goals for my time.
It sounds interesting, but could easily become "overdoing it" quite quickly.Hyrox is brilliant, pushes me far more than any other training i have done, which is both good and bad. It has made me discover that I have a few weak points, my knees were aching and the physio invetigated and found that my actual knees are okay its that my balance between my quads and hamstrings is out and I have weak hip flexors.
Things I have probably always had but only when pushing with lots of hyrox training that they manifested. First event in october and while im sure ill get round I am sadly reassessing my goals for my time.
I intend to go back to boxing training (which is similar in effect), but resisting the urge to spar....
Feeling really fit is something I miss.
I discovered around 12 years ago that I have a potentially serious health condition. The consequence of that is that anything other than light exercise is strongly advised against.
That was 25% of my life ago and, while I did go through a period of mourning for my lost lifestyle, I’ve generally accepted the change as a “better to have loved and lost” feeling.
But now and again I get pangs for that supreme feeling of being really fit.
For me it was manifested in a sense of lightness and physical self-assurance. Like I could jump over a building if I felt like it….
I discovered around 12 years ago that I have a potentially serious health condition. The consequence of that is that anything other than light exercise is strongly advised against.
That was 25% of my life ago and, while I did go through a period of mourning for my lost lifestyle, I’ve generally accepted the change as a “better to have loved and lost” feeling.
But now and again I get pangs for that supreme feeling of being really fit.
For me it was manifested in a sense of lightness and physical self-assurance. Like I could jump over a building if I felt like it….
MC Bodge said:
It sounds interesting, but could easily become "overdoing it" quite quickly.
I intend to go back to boxing training (which is similar in effect), but resisting the urge to spar....
Definately, I think I was over doing it earlier in the year. The difficulty is that i felt great, being able to do 60-90 minutes of pretty intense excercise (the 1k run between excercises is the cool down) was incredibly satisfying and gave me such condifence in my physicality, I intend to go back to boxing training (which is similar in effect), but resisting the urge to spar....
Boxing training has always seemed interesting even though I dont fancy the sparing, same rationale as its intense fitness training.
Hereward said:
mcelliott said:
My experience of being really fit, and I don't think it's been mentioned yet is managing fatigue and tiredness, there is a fine line between feeling fit and strong at a high level and tipping over the edge.
Steve Redgrave said something like "When you're really fit you're dragging yourself from one training session to the next". I think he was suffering with Colitis at the same time, though.I imagine he only felt really fit and good as he tapered down in readiness for impending competitive events
S100HP said:
I think the best for all round fitness are those nutters who do Hyrox. That's another level!
Stamina? Flexibility? Co-ordination? Endurance?Strength and power are only two elements of fitness. I'd go for boxer or similar age gymnast/calisthenics expert I think for truly 'all round' fitness.
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