If you’re over 50 and thinking about getting fitter, stronger and more active, you might be wondering where to start.
Perhaps you haven’t exercised for years. Maybe you’ve noticed that things that used to feel easy don’t feel quite so easy anymore. Or perhaps you simply want to look after your strength, fitness and mobility as you get older.
Whatever your starting point, you certainly don’t need to be fit before joining a fitness class.
At Keep Fit with Michelle, I run friendly fitness classes for women in Redditch and the surrounding area, including classes suitable for women over 50 who want to exercise in a supportive environment without the pressure or intimidation of a gym.
Why exercise becomes especially important after 50
Our bodies naturally change as we get older, and maintaining our strength and fitness becomes increasingly important.
Regular exercise can help us work on our:
- Strength
- Balance
- Mobility
- Cardiovascular fitness
- Bone health
- Coordination
- Confidence with everyday movement
For women in midlife, strength training can be particularly valuable. You don’t have to lift enormous weights or train like an athlete, either!
It’s about challenging your muscles appropriately and gradually building strength.
“But I haven’t exercised for years!”
This is something I hear a lot.
Please don’t think you need to get fit before you come to a fitness class.
That’s what the class is for!
Everyone has to start somewhere, and being nervous before your first session is completely normal.
My classes include women with different levels of fitness and experience. Exercises can be adapted where appropriate, and you can work at a level that’s right for you.
You don’t need to keep up with the person next to you.
The important thing is that you’re moving your body and doing something positive for yourself.
What is an Over 50s fitness class like?
My Over 50s Fitness class in Redditch is designed to give you a varied workout rather than doing exactly the same thing every week.
We work on different aspects of fitness, which include strength, cardiovascular exercise, balance, mobility and functional movements that help keep our bodies capable and strong.
Most importantly, it’s a friendly class. We use the most uplifting 60’s and 70’s soundtracks to take you back in time and promote a sense of well-being.
Yes, we’re there to exercise — but we’re also real people having a laugh while we do it! Tea and coffee are provided after the class to add a more social aspect and make friends.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/classes/over-50s-fitness/
For many people, one of the biggest advantages of attending a class is being in a group rather than trying to motivate yourself to exercise alone.
Do I need experience?
No.
You don’t need previous gym or fitness-class experience to get started.
I’ll explain the exercises and help you understand what you’re doing.
If you’ve spent years thinking fitness classes are full of super-fit people in Lycra who somehow know all the moves before they’ve even walked through the door, please don’t worry!
That’s not what my classes are about.
What if I’m worried everyone will be fitter than me?
This is another really common worry.
Try not to compare your beginning with somebody else’s middle.
Someone else in the class may have been exercising regularly for years. Another woman may have joined recently after doing very little exercise.
Both belong in the room.
Your workout is your workout.
As your confidence and fitness improve, you’ll often be surprised by what your body becomes capable of doing.
Is strength training suitable for women over 50?
Strength training can be an excellent form of exercise for women in midlife and beyond.
And no, lifting weights doesn’t mean you’re going to suddenly become a bodybuilder!
Strength training is simply about asking your muscles to work against resistance. That resistance might come from dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, other equipment or your own bodyweight.
At Keep Fit with Michelle, I also offer Women’s Strength Training classes in Redditch for women who would like to concentrate more specifically on becoming stronger.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/classes/womens-strength-stretch/
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/classes/weights-for-women/
What about menopause and exercise?
For many women, the years around menopause are when they start thinking differently about exercise.
The goal may no longer be simply to burn as many calories as possible.
Building strength, maintaining fitness, looking after our bodies and staying active for the years ahead can become much more important.
If you’re navigating midlife or menopause and feel as though your body has changed, you’re certainly not alone.
You don’t need to punish your body with exercise.
You can use exercise to support it.
What other fitness classes are available in Redditch?
As well as my Over 50s Fitness class, Keep Fit with Michelle offers a variety of women’s fitness classes, including:
- Pilates
- Women’s Strength Training
- Kettlebells
- Body Blitz
- Body Boost
- Women’s Strength & Stretch
That means you can choose the type of exercise you enjoy, or mix different classes during the week for variety.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/timetable/
Where are the classes?
Keep Fit with Michelle classes take place at Mappleborough Green Village Hall, conveniently located for women coming from Redditch, Studley and the surrounding areas.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hCBkVVA89cMiksPV8
If you’re searching for an Over 50s fitness class near Redditch but don’t fancy exercising in a large gym, a friendly community class can be a very different experience.
Coming to your first class on your own
Please don’t let coming alone stop you.
Lots of women initially walk through the door without knowing anybody.
One of the lovely things about regular fitness classes is that familiar faces soon stop being strangers.
You can come along, concentrate on your own workout and gradually get to know people naturally.
There’s no expectation that you need to arrive with a friend.
What should I bring?
All required equipment is provided for you. You can bring your own exercise mat if preferred but they are available. Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely, suitable footwear and some water is all you need.
And bring your sense of humour — that tends to get quite a lot of use too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I too old to start a fitness class?
Age alone shouldn’t stop you from becoming more active. People start exercising at all sorts of ages and from very different starting points.
If you have a medical condition, injury or concerns about whether a particular form of exercise is appropriate for you, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional before starting.
Do I have to be fit before joining?
Absolutely not. You come to a fitness class to improve your fitness — you don’t need to arrive with it already!
Can beginners join?
Yes. Beginners are welcome, and exercises can be adapted where appropriate.
What if I can’t do an exercise?
Don’t panic! There may be an alternative or adaptation available. Let me know if you’re struggling with something rather than worrying quietly at the back.
Are the classes just for women?
Keep Fit with Michelle specialises in friendly fitness classes for women but men are very welcome. The Weights For Women and the Women’s Strength & Stretch classes are for women only, but all other classes are suitable for men too!
Where are your Redditch fitness classes held?
Classes are held at Mappleborough Green Village Hall, close to Redditch and Studley – B80 7BT.
How do I find out which classes are currently running?
Take a look at my current timetable for the latest classes, days and times. https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/timetable/
Ready to give it a try?
If you’ve been searching for Over 50s fitness classes in Redditch because you’d like to get fitter, stronger and more confident, I’d love to welcome you.
You don’t need to wait until you’re fitter.
You don’t need to know all the exercises.
And you definitely don’t need to worry about looking like the most experienced person in the room.
You just need to make that first step.
Take a look at the Keep Fit with Michelle class timetable to find a session that suits you.
https://keepfitwithmichelle.co.uk/timetable/
Booking is very simple to do on-line. Register your details and use the calendar to find the class you wish to book.
https://gymcatch.com/app/provider/1872
See you in class!
Michelle
