Posted on 05/30/2025 4:01:55 PM PDT by ChicagoConservative27
As we age, our balance, stability and coordination can decline. One way to counteract this is to build strength with functional workouts.
Functional exercises mimic everyday actions and strengthen the muscles we use regularly, which can help us move well for longer.
And when we keep our bodies strong and agile, we are less prone to injury and chronic health conditions.
But this doesn’t mean spending hours in the gym or doing complicated workouts.
(Excerpt) Read more at fitandwell.com ...
I’m not fanatic about exercise, but I do try to walk each morning and do some light calisthenics and weight stuff during the day, whatever I happen to feel like doing. That and puttering around the place is about it for me.
I like to use gymnastic rings to do horizontal back pullups and chest pushups since they offer infinite angles and hit all the ancillary stability muscles. Military presses with a pair of dumbbells, and heavy dumbbells for shrugs. Low weight deadlifts and bodyweight squats are fine for legs but should get to ten reps x2 asap.
This shows you everything you need to know: 
That’s too bad.
Thanks.
I was using a walker coming out of the hospital after months in bed. At home, I have 16 steps up to the 2nd floor where the bedroom is located. I have 16 steps down to the basement where my home office is located. Initially, I could only hold the handrail and put a foot up or down, then follow up with the other foot. It took 10 minutes to get upstairs when I first arrived home. Down was just as bad. I didn't even attempt the basement. Over time, I rebuilt enough strength to climb or descend with a normal left/right gait. I can go basement to main floor to 2nd floor in about 30 seconds now. Adding 3 grams of HMB to my daily diet has helped rebuild the necessary muscle.
Bfl
Astonishing pictures!
I’m 69. Recently retired as a fitness trainer. I do a full body workout twice a week. Works for me.
I would add a simple pelvic exercise to keep that bladder in check. The squats may help it, but some exercises you can do IN BED is right up my alley.
“5 days a week, 2 Hours, 23 weight machines on heavy weights 20 reps each...”
If you can do 20 reps, five days a week, then the weights aren’t heavy. I highly recommend super-slow weight lifting. One set, 4 to 6 seconds a set, 10 seconds on the positive stroke and 10 seconds on the negative stroke. If you can do more than six reps with good form, then increase the weight. The goal is to achieve muscle failure at 4 reps. Also, if you do the super-slows correctly, then you will only need to weight train 1 to 2 times a week. My cycle is 3 to 4 sessions every two weeks. Here’s some reading material:
https://www.webmd.com/men/features/want-more-strength-slow-down
https://bodybuilding-wizard.com/superslow-strength-training/
https://www.verywellfit.com/lift-slow-get-fit-fast-3432626
Keeping moving is a good idea at any age. But there are certain factors that need to be kept in consideration so that you don’t make things worse. 4 years ago I had a stroke that affected my left side. About a year and a half ago I started working out at a gym with the weight machines about an hour three times a week. I built up muscle fast but the activity made things worse For my left arm,I was losing function even though it was getting stronger. The loss of function was due to the increase in spasticity from the weight training. 3 months ago I stopped the weight training and my left arm has returned pretty close to what it used to be.
Your Grandad war right. I’m 72, just spent the last two days racking and stacking 5000 lbs of gorgeous Doug fir firewood with work gloves and a wheelbarrow. (I know it’s way early but it was **ON SALE**! If it’s on sale, you gotta do it. Ladies, help me out here.) If I were cooped up in an urban box I’d die.
Find some pelvic exercises you can do in the bed. After minimal effort you will thank me.
Gold!
Your grandpa was right.
Woman I knew jusy fdied at 102, still looked great. Her advice:
1. Exercise at least an hour a day
2. Eat mostly fruits and vegetables.
My neighbor, Kathryn, does that. Even when snow is piled up, she walks 3 - 5 miles a day. She looks great.
I’m 88, told I still look. great, know I have great posture. Try to lift weights and walk at least 1/2 a mile every day. Just had annual physical at my MD’s office. Weigh 116, BP is fine. Only problem was corn on my toe my new podiatrist missed. MD cut most of it off and prescribed some cream that has alcohol in it. Drug store didn’t have it so I bought ointment close enough at AMZ.
As I’ve posted here before, myy MD prescribes one prescription drug and a handfull of vitamins. They are on my “extended prescription list”, That makes them deductible med expenses.
Balance is important too. I had read that having good balance was important for fall prevention and the recommendation was to practice standing on one leg (alternating legs). I started doing that when I was waiting for my tea to reheat in the microwave, standing in line, etc.
I think my improved balance has save me a few times. A neighbor doesn’t allow shoes in his home. There were two steps down into another room. A nail was sticking up a bit on a metal edge piece at the top of the stairs and my sock caught on it. I thought I was going to land on my face but I managed to land upright albeit with a torn sock and a couple sore and bruised toes.
God bless
No.
I did MORE.
8 hours on the garbage pile from Lebanon firebases. Basically walked 12 miles a day with 12 pound 155mm howitzer shell canisters in each hand. Half squat to pick them up, walk the to the stack for re-use. Lots of other heavy bits of steel to the recycle pile. Basically full on weight lifting for the whole day. Three of us could stay at it hard and fast, three guys were older and at half speed. Just roasted each day. Very hard work. In the sun.
Second week was garbage duty whilst others made lunch for gaza. Broke down about 10,000 boxes usually by stomping, filled huge garbage bags until there was about 100 pounds in them, lifted out of pallet boxes, dragged to the compactor or dumpster. Soaked from head to toe from 8 am to 4 pm daily. Drank about a half gallon per hour and peed about a cup every 2 hours.
Lost 5 pounds each week, easy. Then to Tel Aviv for steaks, beer, cocktails, and ice cream at Golda’s! Gained it all back and went out again!
Good times with good friends. As I may have mentioned elsewhere, while on the Lebanon pile, I found an ammo case sealed from the factory. Opened it up and found 8 brand new 155mm timer fuses worth $16,000 total. Put them back on the front line.
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