Let’s be honest — The gym is a very daunting place, no matter what your age is. And when you are a Gen Xer, it is extra scary because your body no longer moves and feels the way it once did.
Even if it has been a while since you stepped foot into a gym, there is really no reason to worry because Gen Xers are no strangers to exercise. Chances are, there was a time where you suited up in a kitschy neon leotard (complete with headband and leg warmers) and jazzercised to a Jane Fonda workout video in your living room. Good times.
Right now, it’s likely that your fitness goals would revolve around rediscovering fitness, building stamina and maintaining stability rather than to develop a six pack and that’s ok because there is much more to the gym than pumping iron and lifting a ton of weights.
There are plenty of options for Gen Xers at the gym so if you’re considering restarting your workout regime, we’re here with some tips on how to get started.
Understand Your Body And Its Limitations
As a Gen Xer, it is easy to forget that your body is not what it used to be. You may feel like your mind and heart are youthful and your age seems like just a number, but is important to remember the reality that your muscles, joints and bones are just not as youthful or durable anymore.
After the age of 40, the skin loses elasticity, joints are more susceptible to injury and it gets increasingly difficult to build muscle. Additionally, hormones fluctuate because the body’s prime child-bearing years are over and injuries take a much longer time to heal.
This makes it all the more important to be extra careful with maintaining proper form when you’re at the gym. When doing strength training, be sure to watch out for your knees and back. These are areas that are very vulnerable to injury and often cause life-long damage.
Get All The Help You Can
Help can come in many forms, the most often being technology. As a start, download apps that help you track your calorie intake, sleep cycles and daily activity. This will help you get a complete blueprint of your body and tailor workouts based on what it needs.
Once you’re in the gym, employ the help of workout apps. Trainers like Jillian Michaels, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Chris Hemsworth will be able to introduce customised workouts based on your fitness level. These include specific workout combinations with cardiovascular and strength training (using weights, kettlebells or exercise bands), as well as show you how to maintain proper form through each move.
Trust The Process, It Gets Easier
Getting started is a great first step, but what’s more important is sustainability. Instead of aiming for 2-hour sessions, start out with a quick 20-minute workout three times a week and pick up from there.
Another factor that may cause fear and insecurity for you is how young and fit everyone else seems to be. This will take some getting used to and as hard as this may be to believe, nobody is actually going to scrutinise or judge you. Everyone is focused on their own workout and have their own insecurities (yes, even the guy benching 100kg). Most people in the gym are nice and ready to help.
As the weeks go by, the weights will start getting lighter, faces will be friendlier and the whole environment will be more familiar. Give yourself a chance to experience the adrenaline and joy of working out in the gym. Allow yourself to be healthy, fit and energised so that you have a new zest for life.
—
If the gym isn’t for you, try these options that shatter the mould of a conventional workout and are extremely effective, Gen X style. While we can’t entirely recreate the retro fun of the 80s, these classes are a very close second.
The Xtend Barre and Pilates classes here will get your blood flowing and help you gain better posture without straining your joints. After each class, you’ll emerge feeling grounded, recharged, and ready for the day ahead.
These spin classes are the closest thing to your favourite 80s workout video. With neon lights and pulsating music, it’s going to feel like you are clubbing on a bike; just the motivation you need!
3) Aquaspin
If a regular spin class is too boring, how about an aqua spin class? Combine regular exercise with water resistance training for a fun, challenging workout. As an extra benefit, this is perfect if you have joint pain as the water reduces impact on your body as you work out.
Did you know that jumping is one of the most effective cardiovascular workouts? Here, there are jump classes on trampolines that can burn up to 1000 calories per session. Put on your favourite neon leotards and get jumping. If jumping is not for you, the studio also offers Piloxing which is a mix of dance, fitness and a whole lot of fun.
