Fitness and strength for people 60 and over......

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

I don't get why people go to gyms. The outdoors are free and a set of weights and a bench are pretty inexpensive. In most places it's pretty rare you can't go outside for a run, walk, or bike ride. I guess it gives people the illusion they're doing something. I'd personally rather spend an hour or two a day working out outside than stuck in a stinky gym,even in the winter time.

Well, I agree with you, going to a gym kinda sucks.

A lot of people take 90 minutes to do a 30 minute workout. So I guess lots of people go there for reasons above and beyond working out........people watching.........socialization.....girl/guy watching.

I usually work out pretty hard for 30 minutes, 6 days a week and am done with it, good enough for me. In my opinion eating good is the MAIN way to achieve good health, exercise is a close second.

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by cushla

You do need trained people to explain what weight exercises are and how to use them safely or you could end up with injuries.

It is not that complicated, you can learn all you need off the net and/or in a book. Mainly you have to use a little common sense and build up your workouts.

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

tickyul wrote:

I am really trying to figure out why people would be so opposed to trying something different. The MAJORITY of people using machines could easily adapt to free weights and experience a lot more benefit.

I have both Arthritis and Hereditary Periphiral Neuropathy and I work out with free weights no problem, actually makes me feel great.

Based on what I see at the gym I frequent, is that MOST people are doing a COMBINATION of free weights AND machines. Speaking only for myself....I tremendously enjoy the machines I choose to use. For me they give more benefit than doing the same exercise with free weights. On the other side of the coin, I will say the same about the exercises I choose to do with free weights. For me, they provide more benefit than doing the same exercise with machines.

Based on more than 35 years of using machines AND free weights, it is obvious to me that the effectiveness of free weights or machines for any given exercise is different for every individual. One-size-fits-all statements saying that free weights are better than machines, or that machines are better than free weights is utter absurdity in my experience, even though the laws of physics may say otherwise. Over the years, my body has faithfully shown me what's best. Personally, I choose to trust the messages of my own body more than the laws of physics.

I stand by my statement. There is no way machines are going to give you the same benefits as free weights. If people like using them, well fine, I am not knocking their choice. But......with free weights you can improve timing, balance, coordination, speed.......with machines you are basically pushing and pulliing..........just not the same things.

And like I said before, my body is pretty dinged up and I have no problem lifting free weights. I imagine MOST people using machines could easily adapt to free weights.

[LittleDolphin]

I sorta get the idea that there's a poster who loves free weights above all over forms of exercise...

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by tickyul

In my opinion eating good is the MAIN way to achieve good health, exercise is a close second.

I agree with that. Eating right will keep or get the fat off while exercise is good for your heart and maintaining strength and agility. They're really two different things but when done together make for a much healthier you.

[CosmicWizard]

tickyul wrote:

I usually work out pretty hard for 30 minutes, 6 days a week and am done with it, good enough for me. In my opinion eating good is the MAIN way to achieve good health, exercise is a close second.

Me too! I'm in and out of the gym in about 30 to 40 mins, but just 5 days week for me. Like you, I'm working out the entire time...no standing around resting between sets. I'm exercising the whole time.

I also agree about the eating right part of your statement. For me that has been a vegetarian diet for the past 40 years, with some fish thrown into the mix for the past 2 years, but no hard meat. My system can't handle it.



Tickyul wrote:

I stand by my statement. There is no way machines are going to give you the same benefits as free weights. If people like using them, well fine, I am not knocking their choice. But......with free weights you can improve timing, balance, coordination, speed.......with machines you are basically pushing and pulliing..........just not the same things.

And like I said before, my body is pretty dinged up and I have no problem lifting free weights. I imagine MOST people using machines could easily adapt to free weights.

In my experience the only benefit you listed that is lacking with machines is BALANCE. The machines in my routine do require cooordination, I can perform the repetitions fast or slow, and I can work on my timing as well. However, my main concern with using weights, wether free weights or machines, is STRENGTH. For timing, balance, and cooordination I prefer other modalities, that for me, are alot more enjoyable than ligfting weights. Yoga, hiking, Tai Chi, & bike riding for example. I do agree that MOST people using machines could easily adapt to free weights, BUT speaking for myself, I have not the slightest desire to do so. I've been there...and done that for MANY years. A COMBINATION of free weights and machines is far more effective than free weights only...for me.

The June 1st issue of the Gray Iron Fitness newsletter is hot off the press. The author is talking about me ( Franco ), so be sure to click the link and read my story

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

I agree with that. Eating right will keep or get the fat off while exercise is good for your heart and maintaining strength and agility. They're really two different things but when done together make for a much healthier you.

You are right on the mark. And excessive exercise CAN be a way to cover up a disordered eating pattern.

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

tickyul wrote:

I usually work out pretty hard for 30 minutes, 6 days a week and am done with it, good enough for me. In my opinion eating good is the MAIN way to achieve good health, exercise is a close second.

Me too! I'm in and out of the gym in about 30 to 40 mins, but just 5 days week for me. Like you, I'm working out the entire time...no standing around resting between sets. I'm exercising the whole time.



Tickyul wrote:

I stand by my statement. There is no way machines are going to give you the same benefits as free weights. If people like using them, well fine, I am not knocking their choice. But......with free weights you can improve timing, balance, coordination, speed.......with machines you are basically pushing and pulliing..........just not the same things.

And like I said before, my body is pretty dinged up and I have no problem lifting free weights. I imagine MOST people using machines could easily adapt to free weights.

In my experience the only benefit you listed that is lacking with machines is BALANCE. The machines in my routine do require cooordination, I can perform the repetitions fast or slow, and I can work on my timing as well. However, my main concern with using weights, wether free weights or machines, is STRENGTH. For timing, balance, and cooordination I prefer other modalities, that for me, are alot more enjoyable than ligfting weights. Yoga, hiking, Tai Chi, & bike riding for example. I do agree that MOST people using machines could easily adapt to free weights, BUT speaking for myself, I have not the slightest desire to do so. I've been there...and done that for MANY years. A COMBINATION of free weights and machines is far more effective than free weights only...for me.

The June 1st issue of the Gray Iron Fitness newsletter is hot off the press. The author is talking about me ( Franco ), so be sure to click the link and read my story

I also agree about the eating right part of your statement. For me that has been a vegetarian diet for the past 40 years, with some fish thrown into the mix for the past 2 years, but no hard meat. My system can't handle it.





Well written. I live in San Diego and could see easily "working out" for 2 hours a day.......hehe, most of the time would be spent gawking at all of the gorgeous women everywhere.



But seriously, I think it also makes you mentally tougher when you work hard with little rest. When you have very good strength COMBINED with very good endurance.....well, you are way ahead of the pack.

Just watch some videos on Youtube of people doing The Clean And Jerk or squatting heavy weights, it is a testament to speed, power, timing, balance and coordination. But to each his own.

[walterabish]

When you are losing weight, you should exercise and diet together.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by walterabish

When you are losing weight, you should exercise and diet together.

and when you're at your goal weight you should continue eating a healthy diet and keep on exercising. Use the scale and tape measure regularly to ensure you're staying on track.