Getting fit when you are in your 60s
Discussion
I'm 66, when I was fourteen/fifteen I would think nothing of cycling 120 miles in a day.
Did the Pennine way (270 miles) in '74 and '75.
Had an arthroscopy on my knee ten years ago, its been fine since then,( walked up Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Blencathra, Coniston Old Man and Harrison Stickle on a weeks holiday last year), but six months ago it played up again and now I find it painful walking much more than a mile...
So:- After fifty years, I have splashed out on a cheap (£250) Careera racing bike, going to take it nice and slowly to start with, maybe five miles, hoping to build up to twenty miles or so, no ambition to be Tommy Simpson, just to get the circulation going and exercise the knee a little.
Did the Pennine way (270 miles) in '74 and '75.
Had an arthroscopy on my knee ten years ago, its been fine since then,( walked up Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Blencathra, Coniston Old Man and Harrison Stickle on a weeks holiday last year), but six months ago it played up again and now I find it painful walking much more than a mile...
So:- After fifty years, I have splashed out on a cheap (£250) Careera racing bike, going to take it nice and slowly to start with, maybe five miles, hoping to build up to twenty miles or so, no ambition to be Tommy Simpson, just to get the circulation going and exercise the knee a little.
Bill said:
Exercise is good for joints no question, but I'm not aware of any decent research that says walking is better than cycling.
Cycling is not a weight bearing exercise. Weight bearing exercises stimulate synovial fluid release.Bill said:
And certainly none that says cycling is no good, so I'd love to see it.
Certainly no one has said cycling is no good. I have said walking is better for the joints because it is a weight bearing exercise.Just Google it Bill!
Thanks for the reply’s everyone, I am in Australia for a month visiting family so is taking me a while to respond.
Plenty of good advice here, because of the OP I have to be careful not to give the knee to much shock impact.
Been getting up and out early here and going for a power / fast walk. Knee is definitely getting better , and after a few hundred meters gets more flexible. I have been swimming also twice but just don’t enjoy it much, but could mix it up.
I have a exercise bike in the garage so will be using that when I get back home, I was not able to use because it was in storage. I am rebuilding a house at the moment but will be finished in 6 months and going to retire . See posting (complete rebuild ). So have pretty good upper strength
I like the folding bike idea, gives me options to take with me. Walking with a group maybe good but not if they just go for a stroll..
Getting the heart going is a another main objective
Tia-chi sounds good, good for balance also.
I will check out exercise groups back home as they will help to keep motivated .
Going for a walk now, 9 hours in front 6 am and 32 degrees!!
Plenty of good advice here, because of the OP I have to be careful not to give the knee to much shock impact.
Been getting up and out early here and going for a power / fast walk. Knee is definitely getting better , and after a few hundred meters gets more flexible. I have been swimming also twice but just don’t enjoy it much, but could mix it up.
I have a exercise bike in the garage so will be using that when I get back home, I was not able to use because it was in storage. I am rebuilding a house at the moment but will be finished in 6 months and going to retire . See posting (complete rebuild ). So have pretty good upper strength
I like the folding bike idea, gives me options to take with me. Walking with a group maybe good but not if they just go for a stroll..
Getting the heart going is a another main objective
Tia-chi sounds good, good for balance also.
I will check out exercise groups back home as they will help to keep motivated .
Going for a walk now, 9 hours in front 6 am and 32 degrees!!
Re cycling, I would try one before you buy one - my knees pop when I cycle for more than 30 minutes. Sprinting across a tennis court on the other hand is fine (but that might be because you don't normally sprint for 30 minutes!).
I suppose I could get an ebike but some might say it's cheating. Lycra is also cheating as is having a really light bicycle.
I suppose I could get an ebike but some might say it's cheating. Lycra is also cheating as is having a really light bicycle.
I agree about cycling and knee pain.
I recommend using easier gears to enable a high cadence, building up mileage gently, and getting a proper ‘bike fit’ from a professional bike fitter.
I recommend using easier gears to enable a high cadence, building up mileage gently, and getting a proper ‘bike fit’ from a professional bike fitter.
SVS said:
I agree about cycling and knee pain.
I recommend using easier gears to enable a high cadence, building up mileage gently, and getting a proper ‘bike fit’ from a professional bike fitter.
Thanks. Alignment is an interesting thing - I started to wonder if it was an alignment issue hence focusing on each and every revolution, checking where my knees and feet were pointing (I think I mentioned it earlier or on another thread?). Then it occured to me that my knees curve inwards slightly which means that they're never properly aligned. And so cycling is problematic. More importantly, I'll never achieve a thigh gap. I recommend using easier gears to enable a high cadence, building up mileage gently, and getting a proper ‘bike fit’ from a professional bike fitter.
ORD said:
Powerlifting. Bulk to 120kg and report back when you cannot walk up stairs but can squat 250kg.
(Not entirely serious. Don't blame me if you die.)
Having said that... serious weight lifting might be a good idea. I used to attend a gym and there were a couple of men the op’s age and it was doing them a power of good. Maybe a 5x5 or similar programme?(Not entirely serious. Don't blame me if you die.)
Chainsaw Rebuild said:
ORD said:
Powerlifting. Bulk to 120kg and report back when you cannot walk up stairs but can squat 250kg.
(Not entirely serious. Don't blame me if you die.)
Having said that... serious weight lifting might be a good idea. I used to attend a gym and there were a couple of men the op’s age and it was doing them a power of good. Maybe a 5x5 or similar programme?(Not entirely serious. Don't blame me if you die.)
I would say that weight training is crucially important at all stages of life perhaps even more so as we move to 70 and beyond.
I predict that in 30 years time we are going to see some astonishingly fit 80 year olds. There are lots of 50 year olds who take their health, vitality and longevity very seriously indeed.
I predict that in 30 years time we are going to see some astonishingly fit 80 year olds. There are lots of 50 year olds who take their health, vitality and longevity very seriously indeed.
popeyewhite said:
Bill said:
Exercise is good for joints no question, but I'm not aware of any decent research that says walking is better than cycling.
Cycling is not a weight bearing exercise. Weight bearing exercises stimulate synovial fluid release.Bill said:
And certainly none that says cycling is no good, so I'd love to see it.
Certainly no one has said cycling is no good. I have said walking is better for the joints because it is a weight bearing exercise.Just Google it Bill!
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