At 77 years old, how much exercise can I do?

One can do alot of exercise. When I was 70, my doctor told me he wanted me to do at least 2 days of strength training because he wanted me to be strong going into my 80"s. I am 80 and do 2 days of strength training, I walk at least 7000-9000 steps a day, walk up 4 flights of stairs, swim once a week, and dance Argentine tango when I can.

I suggest taking a look at the substack of Dr. Howard Luc, Lots of good helpful info and read Stronger next Year by Henry Lodge MD..

There are so many classes for all kinds of exercises (pilates, yoga, strength training, Physical therapy, etc) on YouTube. Just search your interest and it will show several videos to choose from. I do "Pilates and Yoga with Katja". Check it out.

One reason people have a hard time with exercise us that it is hard and time-consuming to create new habits… PT people recommend many reps-good- but start easy with a few simple stretches and simple exercises…go easy and add on as you begin to feel better…i try to challenge myself, but stop if pain happens… sometimes, some walking and gentle exercise actually kills mild pains…hang in there, movement is key to health.

Pilates for me 3-5 times a week. Saved my back, knee and shoulder from surgery.

I'm 80 and subscribe to the exercise needs to be fun. We have a pool in our backyard and my version of fun is walking back and forth in 4 feet of water with head phones listening to 70's dance music --- like CCR. When it gets colder I use the heater to heat the spa to 90 and do my dancing in a 6X6 space.

@frannee I am 78 and had shoulder pain limiting my exercises - turned out it was an impingement. There are good exercises to address impingement if that is what it is. I followed an appropriate routine for several weeks and am now able to continue my workouts.

At 77, I am actively exercising with much younger people in an organized 'cardio' or 'strength' class at the YMCA. People react to me differently. After a floor routine, one person offered to help me get up from the floor. Another time I was helping some guys lift furniture and was asked if I could do it. "After all, you are really old." was the expression on their faces. I wonder about my limitations as I get older. How will I know when I shouldn't do a 'cardio' work out? Dr Peter Attia emphasizes an important concept of 'healthy longevity'. We can live to 85 but will we languish in a chair from 80 to 85 or will we be active and living life to the fullest? Shown in the picture is the YMCA opening at 5:00 AM.

Thank you for your post! I have many friends in their mid 80s. One man said a doc told him he shouldn’t run any longer because of a heart thing - so he walks - at about a 16 minute pace! Faster than I run at age 73. My other 85 year old friends still throw a bit of running into their walking, but they also swim, yoga and do some weights. So I’m hoping the answer for me is I can keep going - or keep going doing what I can doing knowing some stuff will change as I keep aging. I weight train, use a peleton and walking/running. I need to stay honest with myself and not let my ego push me beyond the limits that I have for that day. I don’t allow the “but I used to be able to do X, Y or Z.” I’ve got what I’ve got today. We keep moving forward!

Use common sense, as with most things in life. Listen to your own body, and don't compare yourself to others. My feeling is that most of these posts come from truly active seniors, because those of us who just struggle along doing our best, won't be posting that. 🙂

@willow5 sounds great if one us really able. Bravo to you ! However, PT people and osteopath say—take time here and there to rest the muscles, an important part of any routine…’’energizer bunny’’ isn’t necessary, just a really good personal balance of routines and rest.