Like many women my age, I discovered I was losing some bone density. Nothing major or scary, but my doctor urged me to take more calcium and develop a weight-lifting routine. I’m definitely more of an outside walker (every day) and much less of a weight-lifter (almost never), but dutifully, I looked into what I could do to build more muscle mass.
Fortunately, my insurance will cover a gym membership, which is, of course, much cheaper for the company than paying for hospital stays, surgeries, and physical therapies for their insured customers, and more importantly encourages a healthier lifestyle. I’m not much into going to the gym every day, but a brand new one opened up close to me, and it is really nice.
So my husband and I enrolled in their SilverSneakers classes, which, if you’re not familiar, are stretching, weight-lifting, zumba, water aerobics classes, etc, designed for seniors. Ahem, people my age. The classes are enjoyable and low-stress, and their workouts are excellent.
After that first class, as we were leaving that spiffy, sprawling, modern gym that had more exercise equipment than I would even know how to use, I couldn’t help thinking about women throughout history who would never have dreamed of such a high-tech place to exercise. Farm and ranch wives didn’t need a work-out routine when they already worked hard inside the home and out, caring for crops and livestock, with a minimum of tools to make their work easier. I can only imagine how tired they’d be at the end of every day!
But what about the women in cities who were raised not to exert themselves?
Nineteenth-century America required modesty for women. Young boys could compete in sports and games, but daughters were expected to get their exercise from doing normal household chores. For those females who might be prone to athleticism, any public performance was decried as immodest, selfish, and attention-seeking, especially if she was in her childbearing years.
However, in the 1830s, a fad called “calisthenics” arrived from Europe. Women took to the light choreographed movements that were set to music and resembled dance steps. Society approved the routines as graceful and dignified, emulating upper class beauty and elegance.
As the years passed, females increased their physical activity by walking in
zigzags, marching in place, bending the arms and legs, and skipping, their intent mainly on increasing blood flow and preventing bad posture. In time, with the advent of elite women’s schools and country clubs, more aristocratic activities like tennis, croquet, archery, and bathing-beauty swimming in lakes or beaches thrived in popularity.
For others, there were opportunities to exercise at home with these manmade contraptions for those who could afford them. There was no such thing as “work-out clothes” like we have, and so women simply exercised in private and in their regular clothes which included, yep, their corset.
Men even exercised in their suits.
By the 1890s, the bicycle had created a social revolution and eventually became accepted as a means for women to stay active. Two million bicycles were being manufactured every year, and like today, they were designed with a “step-through” frame to enable women to climb on and off. They certainly dressed for the occasion, hats and all. Some added weights to their dress hems to keep them from flying up, and this young lady could most certainly be wearing her corset.
Can you imagine? Ha!
The Olympics began in ancient Greece, but were abolished because of paganism. The games were finally revived in 1896, although women were not allowed to compete until 1920. A special “Women’s Olympics” on a smaller scale than the men’s began in 1922 and continued well into the 1930s.
Fast forward to today, and exercising is roundly applauded and encouraged for its health benefits for all ages. Children as young as two can enroll in tumbling classes. Soccer and t-ball teams are organized for four-year-olds. Sports of all kinds abound for male and female, young and old, in public arenas open to spectators who cheer on the participants. The benefits are enormous, and we’re all living longer lives because of them.
The SilverSneakers program began in 1992, partnering with health care plans like mine to help seniors enjoy convenience access to fitness programs geared just for them.
From their website:
“From national gyms to local community centers, there are more participating fitness locations available in the U.S. to SilverSneakers members than there are Starbucks.”
We’ve come a long way, for sure, and thank goodness for that!
Do you like to exercise? What’s your favorite kind of physical activity?
Are you familiar with SilverSneakers? Do you have their program near you?
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I prefer walking and low-impact aerobics. I have some small hand weights, too.
Haha, Denise. You say you “have hand weights.” You don’t say you use them. Haha!! Just teasing you. I have a set of 5 lb weights right next to my chair here in my office, and I’m afraid I rarely use them.
Walking is very good.
guilty as charged
🙂 🙂 🙂
Walking, Low impacted Cardio and have 5 lb hand weights. I do like exercising.
Good for you, Kim! I have 5 lb weights, too, which don’t sound like that much, but boy, they can make you feel the burn, can’t they? 🙂
Walking for me, mostly outside, and yard and garden work when it is in season.
Another walker. It’s so good for you. And yes, yard/garden work with all that bending up and down is great, too. Good thing I enjoy gardening enough to add it to my list of ‘exercising’!
We have a gym here and I used to do Silver Sneakers for a while until I got cancer. Shamefully, I didn’t go back. But, I love to walk and be active. Lucky you that your husband will go to the gym with you. Mine would never budge on that idea. Take care Pam. Your blog was so interesting. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Good morning, Kathy. There’s lots of ways to be active, so I’m glad you are. Having gone through your ordeal would make you focused on your health, for sure.
Regarding my husband, he does go with me, except when he’s volunteering at our local Food Bank. He literally gets more exercise there (lifting boxes and lots of bulky canned items) than he does at our SilverSneakers class, so I can’t begrudge him for not going. Plus it helps there’s a few other men there, too.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well!
I walk 2 miles a day, 6 days a week, and listen to an Audible book while I do. I do have a Silver Sneakers program near me. I have used it for a treadmill when the weather was too bad to walk outside, but I prefer being outdoors.
Wow!! You are a great walker, Janice! Bravo to you! Listening to a book is a great way to pass the time. I’m sure it just flies by.
Did I see somewhere that you live in the country out east? Very scenic!
I occasionally do yoga, but not often. I will walk on my elliptical several times per week. I think we have a silver sneakers class at the senior center, but to take advantage of it you have to be a member at the senior center and also pay extra to take the class.
Good moring, Karijean. I have a treadmill and a rowing machine, as well as hand weights, but boy, I lack the discipline to use them. There’s something about making myself get in the car and go to a class where a teacher tells me what I have to do. LOL.
Bummer about the senior center. I hope you check with your insurance. They might surprise you and cover the classes. SilverSneakers makes it their mission to partner with insurance companies.
I have Silver Sneakers as part of my health insurance as well. My husband did use it but not for long. I am going to try chair yoga if I can get this vertigo under control.
Vertigo – yuck! My sympathies, Debra.
I have done chair yoga, too. It’s a great way to stretch without overdoing, and I enjoyed doing it in front of the TV.
I hope you feel better soon!
I can’t say I “like” to exercise, but my husband and I have decided to get into better shape. We have an elliptical that we use 3 times a week and I found some great videos on youtube for older people. One is called Elderfit and the other is Fabulous Fifties. I use them both and have begun to see some results. In the warm weather my preferred exercise is swimming. I swim every day I can in my backyard pool.
Bravo, Elaine! You sound very motivated, and having your husband with you is even better.
I’m making a note about those youtube videos. I can’t even imagine having a pool in my backyard, but they say swimming is even better than walking–it’s the ultimate exercise–you get it all.
Keep up the good work!
I don’t like traditional exercises but I do try to be active, gardening, playing with the kids, not to mention the never ending chores that go along with a big household
Never-ending is right, Laura. I didn’t realize you had a big household, but a busy family certainly keeps you on your toes! Literally some days, eh? 🙂
I ride by recumbent exercise bike twice a day for half an hour each time most days. There are some days when it’s just once, and very rarely I don’t ride at all. When it’s cool here (which it’s already feeling like summer in central FL) I’ll walk for half an hour outside either at a park or down by the canal that has a sidewalk, and then ride the bike for half an hour later. I’m not yet old enough for a SilverSneakers plan, though the Medicare Advantage plans available there do have those included. I’ve found I really miss riding the bike the days I either can’t ride or only get one ride in. I really like that I’ve lost 31 pounds, though, thanks to riding the bike and making a few minor adjustments to my diet!
Wow!!! 31 pounds is amazing, Trudy! I applaud you. That’s a bunch, and I’m sure you feel so much better. I bet it’s really fun buying new clothes now!
You are the perfect example of taking care of yourself–and liking it. And when you like it, you stick with it. I’m proud of you!
I need to exercise and do have access to the Silver Sneakers program but have never done it. My husband would not go either. I walk outside when the weather is good but other than up and down the stairs in our house that’s about it.
Hi, Sarah,
I hope you give SS a try just once. In my gym, you don’t have to sign up, they don’t take names, or anything. You just show up. The time really does go fast.
That said, stairs are good, too.
My husband , my pup and I go for almost 2 mile walk every morning. I had started going to our hospital gym which I had to pay a time time $20 for membership , I was going every day until COVID hit the first time and I never went back. But I do go on a walk every day. Have a great day and a great rest of the week. Happy Valentines Day. Thank you for sharing this info, I enjoyed reading it.
Alicia, 2 miles is so-o good! I’m sure your pup loves it, too. And of course, quality time with you and your hubby. Good job!
Welcome today.
Do you like to exercise? Not really, but I do love to get out and walk when weather permits. And because I have a bum knee, I will walk on the treadmill when weather does not permit outside. The two kitties are not so sure about the treadmill unless it is NOT moving, than they are all over it. LOL
Are you familiar with SilverSneakers? No I cant say have heard of them. I just use regular tennis shoes for walking
Welcome to you, too, Lori!
Funny about the kitties. My grandkids like to get on the treadmill when it isn’t moving, too. LOL.
Silver Sneakers is an exercise program, not something you wear. Although, silver tennis shoes would be so-o cute and snazzy!
Pam, I hate exercising even though I know I need it. I’m a lazy blob. When it gets warmer, I’ll start walking outside. Just too cold in the winter. Long ago I used to have access to a gym and went pretty regular for a while. All the moving I’ve done and insurance changes, the gyms are not in my future.
Howdy, Linda! I’ve always found walking – outside, especially – is really good for my muse. Inhaling fresh oxygen and sunlight just helps my brain work and makes the words flow.
But I hear you about hating the exercising. Some days, I do, too, but I make myself do it. Then, afterwards, I’m glad I did.
Thanks for stopping by!
Those “machines” looked more like torture devices!
I do have Silver Sneakers. I use mine at the YMCA for walking mostly.
Torture devices, yes. What monstrosities!!
Quite a plethora of news on exercise (or not) depending on the generation. I am so glad we now have the freedom to exercise and keep fit and healthy. Yes, I belong to Silver Sneakers, however, I do my exercising at home through the internet. Also, Silver Sneakers is connected with “Go Fitness, again on the internet. Join them and you can access them through YouTube. It is actual time (LIVE) and you can chat with the instructor while exercising. It is great to build a relationship with your teacher. So, you can go to Silver Sneakers online and select if you want to sign up for live classes or some of the previously taped programs to use at your leisure. I am glad you and your husband are visiting an actual fitness center. WE used to go to one also, but my husband’s health issues do not allow him the freedom to attend away from home.
Thanks for your insight, Judy. I do get emails from SilverSneakers urging me to RSVP for a class. But I didn’t know you can chat with the instructor?? Interesting!
I still have an old DVD from Weight Watchers that has four exercising options on it that I still really like. I just used it yesterday since we had a winter storm going on. Each session is only 20 minutes, but I like how you can do them from the comfort of your living room, like you do.
I appreciate you stopping by!
I have heard of Silver Sneakers I would say the closest exercise place near me is 30+ miles and no I don’t exercise unless exercising my fingers by py tapping buttons on my computer counts
I like how you think, Crystal! 🙂
I like to take long walks.
That’s so good for you, Emma!!
I walk. Yes we have silver sneakers program here.
Another walker, Linda! Always a good thing for our bodies!!