My husband and I both had to retire at about 60, due to health issues.

We could no longer play tenns or raquetball, but we needed some regular

exercise-we both stared gaining weight. Our doctor recommended joining

a health club.

We were already life members of the Chicago Health Clubs, now Bally's

Total Finess Centers, but we next to never went.

Ad we have numerous exercise machines at home we rarely use-some are

still in their boxes.

We were pleased, no ecstatic, to find out that our local hospital has an

open-to-the-public Health and Fitness Center.  It had been there for 20yrs,

but we'd thought it was for PT and geriatrics. You rarely saw anyone hale

or youthful going in or out of it.

But, now we were, ourselves, approaching geriatric, and our dr had suggested

we join there.  So we looked into it.  We tried various classes. We were the

youngest ones in some of them, probably because, due to our budget, we were

forced to choose the cheaper option of only Mon-Fri only 10AM-4PM usage.

ANYHOW, we found a class, which the physiologist suggested for both of us,

called Light and Low.  It includes about 20 minutes each of stretching/flexibility, strength/weight training an cardio. It can be done sitting if one has foot/ankle/leg

issues, or standing if you don't.

Some members have workout outfits, but we feel comfortable with plain, unmatched

sweats or shorts and tops, so we didn't have a huge $$ outlay for that. We are required to have good inside-only gym shoes or walking shoes.

Anyhow, weather permitting, we are now regulars!!  And we are kept motivated by

a great team of terrific instructors, and by our fellow exercisers, who are still active

in their 70's, 80's, and even a few in their 90's!  Everyone is encouraged to do what

they can, and to modify the exercise program, if necessary,  as suggested, depending

on our level of fitness and absence or presence of injuries.

joanna

1/ 1/10 11:32pm

I am happy to read your comments about exercising. My mother is 98 and still as active as she can be with being in a wheel chair. Up until the end of '09, she still went to exercise class every week. partially for the exercise and the rest to visit with her friends. Unfortunately, several of these people havs died and some have had to be placed in homes because they can no longer care for themselves. Well, needless to say, my mom doesn't want to go anymore either, but, there are some exercises she can do from her recliner especially for the legs and she does those. The only reason se is in a wheel chair is because of her balance. Up until last year she lived alone in her home with her cat Gracie. After some pretty bad falls she agreed that she needed help, but was determined to stay in her own home. And she is, with four ladies to care for her/be with her 24/7 She is happy with that arrangement, and that's what counts.