Working Out

[Traci H]

I am finally in a position to get back to working out at a facility after an intense year of activities that prevented such. I generally have done the cardio routine and some fitness machines. I intend to pursue that route yet, but as I get older I am finding I need to push the upper body, balance and flexibility. The facility offers all kinds of classes and I may sign up for those. Of course, one that catches my eye is Barre Blend. I know others here have done Barre, Steffi comes to mind and found it quite good. By nature it often is all female. I walked pass a class yesterday and sure enough, it was all female. I might consider attending this class and wearing my woman's leggings. This class is a blend of ballet, yoga, and pilates I believe. I think it is quite the workout as well.

Other classes include core blast, sculpt and flow, body pump, zumba, yoga, etc. All seem to be taught by woman except the Silver Sneaker fitness class, which I would certainly fit into. I wonder how many of you, especially older members, are doing classes and if you are incorporating some woman's workout gear. While I want to certainly increase my overall health, having a bit of fun along the way might make things less boring. I would love to hear others experiences.

Traci

[Sometimes Steffi]

Traci

I was a long time member of Gold's gym. Surprisingly, in additional to the expected "muscle man" machines, the had a lot of classes.

I tool a lot of different classes there, primarily Yoga and Pilates. In addition, I took Body Pump, Step Aerobics, Zumba. Most of the classes were predominantly female. The only exception was Body Pump, which was about 25% male.

I took a barre class, but I didn't have the leg strength or flexibility for that class.

I stopped going when COVID started, and never really returned. Gold's went into Chapter 11 during COVID, and some gyms were closed or sold off. There was one yoga instructor who I followed around to the different Gold's gyms she taught at. Then one day, the gym was sold off and and she was gone. I never did make a connection with her replacement.

For the last several years before COVID, I took Yoga and Pilates 3 times a week. I went to class girly. I wore leggings that were definitely girly, typically feminine colors, floral and color blocked. I often wore a matching women's top like a tank top or a racerback. I also had my toenails painted and I worked out openly. In case it's not obvious, Yoga and Pilates are done barefoot. I never admitted my crossdressing. If asked, my excuse was that I just liked the colored leggings and nail polish. I changed in my office before going to class and pulled in sweat pants over my femme yoga outfit, and took off my sweats in the yoga studio. That way, I avoided the men in the locker room.

One Halloween, costumes were recommended. I wore a Hooter's girl outfit, the same one that I wore to the DC girl's Meetup. The only accommodations I made was that I used homemade foam forms instead of my silicone forms. I took off my sweat pants first showing my traditional orange shorts and then I took off my sweatshirt exposing the Hooter's top. Then, I stuck the breast forms into my bra.

The GGs in the class were a little surprised, but accepting.

All of the female instructors accepted me and some even encouraged me. The GGs in class always seemed to check out my outfit of the day. A few of them even upped their game to look at least as girly as me. The few guys in the class never approached me, as if they would catch something.

I'm now attending a Pilates class on the reformer machine. I'm the only guy I've ever seen there. I go in full male mode, except for Halloween when I wore my Flapper Girl costume to class. Pictures were taken, and I understand one of my pics made it to the Instagram page.

So, if you're comfortable, go for it.

[Philippa Jane]

Ah yes.
I have just covered what I wear in a previous post but lets get to the exercise.
I did try a Pilates class after having been away from the gym for some months.
I wore tights, a sports bra and a loose tee.
My core muscles were rubbish and I could do very few of the exercises but really put me off was my top riding up and my tights riding down. It was not a pretty sight with my tummy on display.
There were other GG's there larger than myself but they seemed to have got the better attire on for the class.
This is why I bought the leotards so that all is covered.

I have been taking a class in body balance which was fun as I was able to laugh at myself. I have no rhythm and can never remember the dance moves. The thing is no one is watching and who cares. Many of the regulars are older than me but there are a few young GG's
We all think our balance is good until we challenge ourselves to try something out of the ordinary.
If we trip and fall we are always going to put our hands out to break that fall (muscle memory) which is why there are so many broken wrists and arms.
The instructors are forever trying to teach us how not to do that which is where better balance come in.
Standing on one leg with your eyes closed has me falling. But there again this is not something I would normally do.
All of the classes such as yoga. Pilates, balance, spin and so on are free at my gym so if you have the time you could be there all day. With a break for lunch in the caf? of course.
It is a good social outlet as well.

[alwayshave]

Traci, I do a power yoga, DDP yoga, 3-4 days a week and try to walk 2 miles a day.

[Kitty S]

I have been incorporating exercises into my daily routine. Walking more, parking further away, carrying things instead of using a cart. As far as working out I have been working on my balance using a stabilizer pad doing squats and other leg exercises. Wearing 5 inch stilettos is much easier now! I don?t go to a gym, rather I do calisthenics if I?m not getting enough exercise. For those that don?t have classes nearby Beachbody has a lot of DVD and online programs that are really fun and challenging. Thanks to Kitty I?ve lost 50 pounds since May. I do lose weight quickly, 30 pounds in 30 days was my record but keeping it off has always been my issue. I?ve finally changed my diet habits and lowered my alcohol intake to nearly zero. I hope I?ve learned my lesson this time and keep at it.

[kimdl93]

I still go to the gym, but I have lightened my workout routine, focusing on a combination of aerobic conditioning on the elliptical (its easier on my aging joints) and weight training arms and legs on alternate days. I lightened up the resistance and upped the reps, again to spare my aging joints.

[docrobbysherry]

Excellent thread! If you're over 50 and not in some sort of excersize program you're making a big mistake!

Quit using weights and machines and switch to anything than improves/maintains your flexibilty, endurance, and coordination!

And, remember your core strength. I do a lot of easy crunches on my floor every AM which has made my back better now at 80+ than it was in my 50's!

I had 2 nasty accidental falls last year, backward and side ways, on concrete. A few bruises was all the damage!

This has nothing to do with your weight unless that limits u physically!

[abby054]

When I took a weight training course, the instructor taught us that fewer reps of heavier load is the way to gain muscle bulk. Try to load to muscle failure in eight to ten reps. Doing many more reps at lighter load will result in a toned body but less muscle bulk. I have always followed the latter course to keep my arms, for example, toned but more slender.

[Vikky]

I wrote in another posting a few days ago how I do a 15-20min workout most mornings after I get up in the morning dressed en-femme.
Vikky

[Maria 60]

After work its hard to want to drive to a gym or even work out at home. My wife gave me some of her sports bras and exercise shorts and it gave me an excuse to use them so I'm using my spin bike again and will tread mill. It's a win, win after all I'm getting exercise and getting to dress the way I enjoy. It just makes it more fun.

[Traci H]

If my wife would embrace me enfem to workout, it would make my home exercise way more fun. It would certainly be a motivation to get my hinder in gear. Alas, I may just use the Y and incorporate what I can.

[snoostrawberry]

Its a new year, so I just started doing yoga to try and get my back in better shape and get some flexibility. Its quite a switch to go from my younger-self idea of muscle building to just trying to maintain some flexibility as I get older.