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Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#91

Post by fsloth »

dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

A message from another couch potato trying to improve oneself :)

You don't need to go to the Gym. What you need to do, is to take ownership of your body and your health regimen. You don't need any complex mechanical stuff to do that. Bodyweight exercises are more than enough for regular folks and you can do them at home. Research. See what works for you. These guys have a terrific supportive attitude and great do-at-home courses to get you started https://gmb.io/

Aerobic: Do a run per week and walks on other days around your house. If you want to compress that time and are ready for some pain, do interval runs (research Tabata exercise).

You don't need the gym. Gym is marketing bullshit by an industry that attempts to monetize basic human functions. The only reason gyms are packed with exercise machines is because it's the cheapest way to offer some sort of structured conditioning without expert guidance. I.e it's the most profitable model for gym owners. It's not as good as free weight exercises (unless you are after some specific athletic goal, I think) for any sort of thing.

I found buying an activity bracelet with onboard pulse meter motivated me considerably. Polar A360 was good enough for me, but I'm sure there are better alternatives.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#92

Post by corney91 »

dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

I've started exercising over lunch, a half hour run instead of sitting in front of Hacker News and Reddit really helps clear my head for the afternoon's problems, as well as the obvious health benefits. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#93

Post by branchless »

dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

All that long commuting, working late to pay to live nowhere near your work. Your banker has lots of free time and won't come to visit you if you get sick.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#94

Post by yulaow »

dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

If you can't find the time for the gym and don't want or don't have the space to buy and build a whole homegym, can I suggest to buy a good but simple in-home rowing machine? It is, imho, the perfect combination between aerobic and anaerobic exercises and it really works out every of your muscles in a good way, the only downside is that you have to be careful and learn the correct movements else you are just going to get pain in your whole back.

A good one, with a good variety of (high) resistance and a quality rope would cost about 400/500$, double it if you want agonist-level equipment.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#95

Post by ptaipale »

dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

"Any reason you give for not exercising regularly is not a reason, it's an excuse".

Commuting 20-30 minutes to a gym sounds completely absurd [0]. You can use that time for exercising. Just walk or run around your home or office, or climb stairs, or do calisthenics in your living room, or whatever.

What I do is cycle to work, which takes about 1 hour per day plus showering both ways (driving the same distance would take about 40 minutes two ways.)

[0] https://chimaeraspeaks.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/america-f...

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#96

Post by dv35z »

yulaow wrote: post #94
dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

If you can't find the time for the gym and don't want or don't have the space to buy and build a whole homegym, can I suggest to buy a good but simple in-home rowing machine? It is, imho, the perfect combination between aerobic and anaerobic exercises and it really works out every of your muscles in a good way, the only downside is that you have to be careful and learn the correct movements else you are just going to…

Agreed - if you have the space, get a Concept2 rowing machine. Do 2km on that every day (I'd also say, get a door-frame pull up bar and a set of adjustable dumb bells, and you can do an extremely effective workout in minimal time.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#97

Post by crusso »

dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

Some years back, I re-evaluated how I spend my free time (not working, not with the family). I knew that I mostly surfed online or watched TV. I decided to only watch TV if I could be in the midst of a workout. I spent a few hundred bucks getting some basic exercise equipment for my home and I began using it almost every day after work in the evenings.

I'm very pleased with that decision. It's produced great results for me, both physically and mentally.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#99

Post by TickleSteve »

yulaow wrote: post #94
dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

If you can't find the time for the gym and don't want or don't have the space to buy and build a whole homegym, can I suggest to buy a good but simple in-home rowing machine? It is, imho, the perfect combination between aerobic and anaerobic exercises and it really works out every of your muscles in a good way, the only downside is that you have to be careful and learn the correct movements else you are just going to…

Absolutely.... I do 15 minutes every morning before work on my C2.... works wonders. I also do 15 minutes at night throwing kettle bells around for my strength work.

Like any exercise, you've got to work up a sweat to get benefit tho.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#100

Post by JeremyNT »

dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

You simply have to prioritize it over some of those other leisure activities.

Personally, I strongly recommend getting a door frame pull up bar and a set of gymnast rings to go with it. This should provide all the equipment you need for a reasonably good body weight resistance training routine.

For cardio, there are many options. Running? You just need shoes and 30 minutes. And you only need cardio once or twice a week.

A little exercise is like a drug. It makes me feel stronger, smarter, more alert. You don't have to go to a gym and bulk up, you just need to start somewhere. Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

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