Three sessions in, this is what I’ve discovered.

There’s been a women’s only weights gym nearby for four years. For a while I was interested but didn’t think weights was for me. Then, in my early 40s, I hadn’t really come across the revelation that we Women of a Certain Age lose muscle mass and bone density which is why weight training is so important. I discovered a couple of local friends were going to the gym, they raved about it, said how lovely it was, and I was pleased for them. Still, not for me. or so I thought. Fast forward a few years where I’ve been on a recovery journey, and I decided that the proven benefits of weight training, alongside cardio and high intensity training meant that I should give it a go. The classes are small, up to maximum of four people, all the women I’ve met are reassuringly normal looking, friendly, and middle-aged or older. It is not intimidating and it’s not like going to a gym.

We started with some mindfulness lying on the floor (nice!) and stretches. We then are set a couple of exercises involving things like lunges or squats, either with bodyweight or holding a small dumbbell. There’s actually quite a lot to learn in terms of reps and sets and funny lingo, but being of a particular demographic we would all ask to be reminded of things on a very regular basis! I have learnt how to put a bar across my shoulders and gently squat and lift it, and the following week week doing the same but with the bar at the front (I’m yet to remember the terms for these manoeuvres but you get the picture). Both times I chose not to have weights, or to have just 1 kg each side, but one of the more experienced participants was doing the same with 23 kg. My efforts were no less valid than hers. Each time there’s been some short bursts of cardio for example on a rowing machine, or doing jumps where you try and land quietly. I also enjoyed doing pullups on a bar where your feet are in a stretchy resistance band so you get helped upwards and feel like you’re actually doing a pull-up! That was fun.

At the end of each session I felt tingly but not exhausted, as I’m deliberately going carefully with my recovery. The dull ache in my thighs the day after was a gentle reminder that I’ve done some exertion and I’m already looking forward to what we’re going to do next week. I wish it hadn’t taken me four years to discover weight training but I can see already that it’s an hour week that I’m not going to want to give up any time soon.

#exercise #strength #middle age #fitness

Written by Clare Sharpen