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07-05-2010, 07:42 PM
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#1
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Senior Curmudgeon
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 970
S/C/G: 162/134/125
Height: 5'2"
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How realistic is it to make weight training a long-term exercise?
Ok, so right now I'm really dedicated to increasing my muscle tone and improving my physique. But I've also sworn that THIS TIME, my weight loss isn't going to be temporary; I consider myself to be in this for the long haul; I'm making changes that I want to keep going with forever (or age 85, whichever comes first ). So, here's my question: how sustainable is weight training? I sure don't see any 70 year olds lifting weights at my gym (even though there are a number of cardio and yoga devotees), and I think it would be really sad to watch all my efforts at muscle-building disappear the month after I stop.
Are any of you still weight training after 5 years? 10 years? 15? Are any of you over 60? If you're doing this right now to "tone up" during or after weight loss, have you given any thought to how long you plan to keep going with it?
Thanks for your thoughts.
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07-05-2010, 07:58 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 854
S/C/G: 250/168/150
Height: 5'7"
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My parents both weight train with personal trainers and my mom is 70 and my dad is 73 and has Parkinson's. My mom lost the "bump" on her back and it has helped slow symptoms of my dad's Parkinson's.
A lot of their retired friends the same age go to the same gym and really enjoy it.
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07-05-2010, 08:24 PM
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#3
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Boston Qualifier and MOM
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,346
Height: 5'3.75"
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We have 70 year olds lifting weights at my gym.
there was an article on here maybe a year ago about a personal trainer in her 80's. She had a FAB body.
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07-05-2010, 08:34 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Rogers, AR
Posts: 199
S/C/G: 193/170/140
Height: 5'5"
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I know an 83 year old that still weight lifts and when the Curves was open here they had a member who was in her late 70's
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07-05-2010, 09:04 PM
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#5
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Just Me
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 14,707
S/C/G: 364/--/182
Height: 5'6"
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There are 60 year olds at my Crossfit and there are plenty of people who lift in their 50s and beyond.
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07-05-2010, 09:19 PM
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#6
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Working My Way Back Down
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Alaska
Posts: 4,982
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I'm 65 (and a half! ) and I've been lifting weights off and on for 10 years, seriously for the last 3. I have no intention of stopping any time soon. But, ya know, 85 sounds good.
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07-05-2010, 09:43 PM
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#7
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Boston area
Posts: 12,143
S/C/G: 239/173/165
Height: 5'9"
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hmmmm..... I'm 66+ and have been lifting for four years and 9 months.
I'll let you know it I make it to 5, LOL.
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07-05-2010, 10:07 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,640
S/C/G: 163/128/125
Height: 5'5
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Last edited by sacha; 07-05-2010 at 10:08 PM.
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07-06-2010, 06:26 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 6,963
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I'm 55 and have been lifting since I was 22- seriously lifting since I was 45. I've done CrossFit for the last year and a half.
My mother and stepfather are both 75 and lift 3 days/week and have for the last 20 years.
My previous gym was FILLED with seniors because it was near a huge and wealthy gated over 55 community.
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07-06-2010, 06:29 AM
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#10
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Ilene the Bean
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,538
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Wellll, I'm 53 and have been weight training since I'm 28, so 25 full years of straight weight training. I've never stopped, I trained through 2 pregnancies, yep, 9 months pregnant in the gym ... I only stopped for 4 weeks at those two times, because of lack of sleep... I have no intention whatsoever of stopping, ever!! So I will be in the gym at 80+ that's for sure... It is very doable but it takes dedication...I go to the gym 3-4x/week but really you don't need a gym you can train at home with little equipment...
Last edited by Ilene; 07-06-2010 at 06:30 AM.
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07-06-2010, 06:09 PM
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#11
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Workin' It
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Wherever I go, there I am...
Posts: 7,841
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I'm 38, have only been weight training for two years now, but plan on continuing as long as I can stand up and lift a weight. Heck, even sit down and lift a weight if it comes to that.
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07-06-2010, 10:12 PM
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#12
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Senior Curmudgeon
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 970
S/C/G: 162/134/125
Height: 5'2"
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Ok, that definitely answers my questions. Thanks everyone who responded. And I definitely need to find the article about the personal trainer who was in her 80s- that sounds truly inspiring.
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07-16-2010, 05:54 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: North Central Texas
Posts: 4,591
S/C/G: 220/183/140
Height: 5'4"
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Well, you got your answers, but I want to brag. I'm almost 65, have been weight training for 6 months, can leg press 450 pounds, and I'm never going to stop!
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07-17-2010, 12:27 PM
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#14
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Happy Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Casper, Wyoming, USA
Posts: 789
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheena41
I know an 83 year old that still weight lifts and when the Curves was open here they had a member who was in her late 70's
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I am 84 and exercise at Curves 3 to 4 times per week. And I know two ladies who are older than I am and still exercise regularly at our Curves.
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07-17-2010, 12:57 PM
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#15
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Calorie counter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,679
Height: 5'4.5"
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I think weight training becomes MORE important as we age, and it's like a secret that most people don't know, which is sad. I'm very glad to be starting young at 35. I've been an on and off lifter most of my adult life, but more off than on.
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