Help with Over 60 year old with mobility issues

aikidosensei
aikidosensei Posts: 8 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Evening

I am posting on behalf of my father in law who is mid 60's and approx 6 foot 2 inches tall, he has always been active but has struggled in recent years with his weight and now his mobility, he started to get hip pain when walking and was told by his doctor to not walk as much !! - since then he complains of loosing power in his legs when he walks and its impacting his life.

now after much research and discussion with him he is willing to try anything low impact to help him gain mobility and loose some pounds, I was wondering if anyone has got any Yoga / low impact workouts/videos he could try ? its hard to search for these things on the net without getting flooded with nonsense and ad's!

Replies

  • jeffnjack
    jeffnjack Posts: 13
    Hi, Now, don't laugh! This is very "old school" but your dad might get a kick out of this. Jane Fonda (have you seen her lately?) has 2 dvds that might be good for him. One is called Trim Tone & Flex, the other is Fit & Strong. Only $10 each at Target.
    Best of luck
  • dakitten2
    dakitten2 Posts: 888 Member
    I do water aerobics. I'm 57 and had mobility issues due to 2 knee replacement, one which had major issues and numerous surgeries. I joined the YMCA weighing 290 pounds and have continued water exercise and aerobics in my own pool. I've lost 95 pounds since October 2011. My doctor and dietician both recommened the water aerobics has it would cause less weight bearing on my joints. Maybe something in that area could help?
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,422 Member
    Absolutely water aerobics and swimming. Also, a stationary bike. Has he seen a specialist? Or even a physical therapist?
  • javagsd
    javagsd Posts: 82
    Your dad has my sympathy. I'm 65 myself, with abdominal tumors, an iffy knee, and recent surgery, so balance, mobility and endurance are issues. I've found that short time on elliptical trainers works for me because of the low impact. Some of the readily available water exercise classes can be great, but most participants are 50+ yr old women, so your dad may or may not feel comfortable with them. Circuit training machines might work well for him, since most are seated. He might want to try a free trial in a facility where the machines are in the weight room. My town's rec center has such a fitness room for $20/month and the diversity of users is very diverse, far less intimidating than the spandex gym rat scene. Another good source to check out is the fitness rooms of local hospitals/outpatient clinics. For yoga, there's a great book, Yoganetics, with clear instruction and great pictures, and a staged skills approach.
  • lisa_swims
    lisa_swims Posts: 37 Member
    I agree with the water. There are classes but he could just moving in the shallow end. There are also flotation belts for the deeper water if he prefers that. Some pools are kept at a temp cooler for swimmers and some are warmer for rehab. If you have a choice try to go to the warmer one.
  • lisa_swims
    lisa_swims Posts: 37 Member
    That is a great suggestion, check out the hospital rehab and fitness centers.
  • trs80
    trs80 Posts: 15 Member
    Hi, Now, don't laugh! This is very "old school" but your dad might get a kick out of this. Jane Fonda (have you seen her lately?) has 2 dvds that might be good for him. One is called Trim Tone & Flex, the other is Fit & Strong. Only $10 each at Target.
    Best of luck

    I'm over 60 myself and have somewhat bad knee and heel problems.

    Anyway, you might try checking out the Jane Fonda DVD's at your public library to see if they are for him before buying them.
    I thought they were a little tame, myself.

    But the library is a really good source of exercize programs to test before buying.

    Good luck
  • aikidosensei
    aikidosensei Posts: 8 Member
    Thanks all for the huge amount of responses its much appreciated.

    I should have said actually he has retired to the south of spain, he has full use of his own pool, so a massive start is using that, since I have been here (on holiday now and typing this from the balcony :) ) he has used the pool everyday as I and my daughter have been in it, he has said he should use it more, however it is only open for half the year.

    Also he hasnt learnt all the spanish yet and will struggle getting recomended classes and using local facilities.

    I will see if I can grab the Jane fonda workouts.

    He has seen the inspirational video by Arthur boorman on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448 and I think he wants to try the benefit of yoga, he has a couple of friends who are in their late 70's and are amazingly supple and seem 20 years younger as they have done it since their late 50's.

    Thanks again for all your advice I will show him the thread !

    thanks

    Jay
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    Swimming, of course.

    Also, if he can find a class, Iyengar-style yoga puts a huge emphasis on working within the body's limits, and encourages the use of props to help with these sorts of issues, lack of flexibility, etc.

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