Why going to the gym will improve your retirement

Chris recently passed me an article on fitness as you get older and the possible impact if this is ignored.  Chris gave it to me to write a blog article (rather than personal advice – I think!).

Essentially the article said that most of the problems of ageing are self-inflicted and stem from people over 40 not exercising sufficiently, giving themselves permission to slow down, back off and take it easier.  

Once people hit 40 they often make bad decisions with regard to fitness.  But if you want to be able to play with your grandchildren, get off the toilet without assistance or visit a park or a beach with your family when in your 70’s, then you need to join a gym and get a coach who understands you and strength training.

We will all grow old, but we have a lot of control as to how we age. We can certainly decide whether we want to have help getting off a toilet when we are only 60.  But you need:

1. A coach
2. A  plan
3. To be terrified of becoming old, when you could fight back and rage against the idea of becoming a silly old person who could have led a better (or certainly fitter) life.

Having read the article, I thought back to when I first joined Ducketts, just over 3 years ago.

Chris understands how important exercise and physical fitness is and staff have the option of Corporate Gym membership at Ady Watts’ gym.

When I first joined, I did very little exercise and my fitness levels were poor.  I had used my previous job as an excuse of why I couldn’t join a gym, for far too long. It’s fair to say that certain colleagues from my new team (you know who you are – Pugh & Mcilroy) bullied me to join the gym.  

Eventually, I gave in and just over 3 years ago, Emma (my wife) and I signed up.  At the time, I had just turned 49, but was overweight, unfit, had high blood pressure and was worried about type 2 diabetes.  I understood that I had to do something now.  For most of the early part of my membership, I went to the gym 2-3 times a week.  Eventually, I started going to Spin once a week (I could barely walk down the stairs after the first few sessions).  Now, I rarely go to the gym to work out, but regularly attend HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), Circuits, Spin & Kettlebells.

So, what have been the benefits?  I’ve lost one and a half stones (I could still do to lose some more), but more noticeably have lost 3 inches off my waist. My recovery time following exercise is much quicker and my blood pressure is on the high side of acceptable.   

I really enjoy exercising now and feel disappointed/guilty if I don’t go.  Do I still ache – absolutely.  Do I still get “bullied” at work by Helen & Maria – sometimes (with suggestions that their gym sessions are tougher than mine).  They are tougher of course, however, I have no plans to go to one of their gym sessions to prove it!

Hopefully, I can look forward to a much healthier later life than I otherwise would have had, had I not made the good decision I did 3 years ago.  And whilst I still get “bullied” – thank you Helen and Maria, for helping me make that decision.

If you are over 40 and have got out of the habit of regular exercise and strength work, make a good decision now that will mean a better later life.  You won’t regret it.

Martyn Wright

If you're interested in knowing more about Ady Watts gym, you can find more information on his website HERE