My blog last week generated a number of comments on the reluctance of older women (and possibly men) to step onto the gym floor. One friend swims at a famous health centre but feels too self conscious and anxious to enter the gym that she is paying for in her membership. Now I certainly don’t believe that you need to go to a gym to get fit. Where cardio exercise is concerned I would far prefer being outside running, cycling, climbing mountains. There can be nothing more boring then plodding the treadmill. But where strength training is concerned the gym has certain advantages. Resistance machines can offer a controlled, safe approach to developing strength. And selecting a range of machines can ensure a total body programme which is very difficult to replicate outside the gym unless you have a very manual job or hobby.

Unfortunately there is a level of discrimination against the older exerciser. This is rarely overt but frequently demonstrated by patronising language. Occasionally a video or photo will appear on my Instagram feed of an older woman lifting an impressive load. Unfortunately, some of the comments, whilst on the face of it are supportive, would never be used when describing a younger person. The oxymoron ‘respect granny’ is a particular low. If ‘granny’ is not being used to describe a familial relationship then it is very disrespectful. 

But it is not just women. A couple of years ago my husband and I visited a bar in Jamaica famous for cliff diving. My fifty-six year old husband went up to dive but was stopped by the lifeguard with ‘not for you ‘pappy’. He did persuade him to let him dive but it does demonstrate that agesim is alive and kicking across the world. Incidentally’ my husband was one of only a few participants that dived, most jumped. But we did call him ‘pappy’ for the rest of the holiday.

The most inclusive gym I have ever been to is the Council run one that I went to when I was undergoing cardiac rehabilitation after my open heart surgery. Every week about a dozen of us, under the supervision of a specialist trainer, hit the gym to exercise our damaged, repaired hearts. Most were over seventy years of age and a number overweight. But what was empowering was that we weren’t out of place. The gym was home to a diverse clientele of all ages, sizes and levels of fitness. And importantly they all looked comfortable to be there.

Apart from my views on ageism I haven’t much to share in my ‘60 for 60’ (see About) quest except my own personal fitness goals. I have been quite focused on my diet over the last few weeks but when I stepped on the scales a few days ago I had only lost 0.3kg. However, over 7 measurements (chest, upper/lower waist etc.) I had lost 7cm and most importantly 1.5% body fat. Small numbers but all going in the right direction. And importantly it is fat not lean body mass that I’m losing. To ensure that this remains the case I’m having protein with every meal and strength training 3 to 4 times per week. And I am getting stronger. It is a very powerful and liberating feeling.

Finally, here is a transformation photo. The first was taken seven months after my heart surgery where I had put on all the weight I had lost being ill los plus a bit more. The second I took today. Progress has been slow and sometimes inconsistent but it is progress. So all good.