Am i too old and unfit for a bike?

borichfan
borichfan Posts: 208 Member
edited September 25 in Fitness and Exercise
I am 48 yrs. old and my husband is almost 62. And he has been walking some, he is retired. I have not exercised in a long while. i used to do cardio and weight training/strength training alot, but quit few years ago. And i am overweight, i weigh 217 lbs. My husband and i are thinking about getting us a bike to ride for fun with the grandkids and ride for exercise too. We both want to get more active outdoors, especially get off this computer and get active and feel better. We have not owned a bike in about 15 years since we bought our first ATV to ride. But my question is since i am already 48 years old, am i too old to invest money in a bike since i am overweight too? Do you think it would help me get active outdoors and get off my lazy tail to get a bike and ride it? I want to get back into exercising and loose weight. I have 2 bedrooms full of exercise machines and equipment, so i have no excuse to not exercise.

Replies

  • Celo24
    Celo24 Posts: 566 Member
    You are never too old!!! Go get a bike and ride. I would suggest going to a bike store and talking to them about your needs, then let them recommend the right bike for you. Biking is a lot of fun...you and your husband will love it!
  • Amber030583
    Amber030583 Posts: 490 Member
    NO!!!!!!! You are NEVER too old to ride a bike or get fit for that matter! Do it! Not only will it get you outside but it will get you fit along with spending quality time with your hubby and grand kids. DO IT!
  • werryanne
    werryanne Posts: 6 Member
    Never! Just start slow and very short distances. If you haven't been on a bike in a long time, you will probably struggle some with balance. That will come with practice and weight loss.

    Great job getting active!!
  • Cilenia
    Cilenia Posts: 208 Member
    I dont think you are too old for a bike, and heavy people can certainly use a bike too! So if you want to go biking together, enjoy the sun and company of your husband and grandkids id say go ahead. However it would be a shame not to use the exercise equipment at all ;) So use both, use the equipment to get back in shape a bit, and then go cycling.
  • saldridge
    saldridge Posts: 125 Member
    I think the bike is generally the safest equipment for "older" people - just make sure you can get started in a low traffic area -- after all, it is like riding a bike.
    That said, my father is 73 and albeit fit, but he takes ride of 50+ miles. Age alone is no restriction, and in all honesty, unless you are 4'5", 217 isn't all THAT big. I mean, it's not "bike crushing big", if that's what you are worried about :-)
  • TiDinzeo
    TiDinzeo Posts: 309
    You're not too old or unfit for a bike by any means. My advice would be to start off easy and work up. Exercising and losing some of your weight will likely add years to your life and give you a better quality of life as well.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    48 isn't even anywhere NEAR old! :laugh:
  • NoExcuseTina
    NoExcuseTina Posts: 506 Member
    I do not think you are too old!!!! Read the article (link below) about a woman that STARTED training for triathlons when she was 48...still competing now (born July 24, 1930) and will be 81 this summer.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_Buder
  • Izzy62
    Izzy62 Posts: 62 Member
    You make 48 sound like it's close to a death sentence!

    I'm 49 next month, I don't weigh a whole lot less than you do, I have a bike, I run, I go to Zumba, the gym, you name it - I'll do it to make sure I have a long and happy retirement.

    Get your bikes and go have a whole lot of fun riding them :)))
  • jeannas
    jeannas Posts: 109 Member
    48 isn't even anywhere NEAR old! :laugh:

    I totally agree, I am 48 years old and I think biking is probably the easiest thing to tackle when starting an exercise routine. Good luck and feel free to add me!
  • kent4j
    kent4j Posts: 391 Member
    I am 48 and an avid bike rider with my husband. I started this jouney mid February and was around the same weight as you. If you have bike paths near you they are great to ride on since there are no cars. I meet people there of all ages even in their 80's. Have fun!!
  • K1Teacher
    K1Teacher Posts: 324 Member
    Do it! What a great example to your grandkids. You'll be the "cool" grandparents, for sure! Have fun! I just got a bike myself (im heavier than you, by the way) and I've only taken it out once and didn't last long (it definitely uses different muscles). I'm going to just keep at it and up my time a bit each time. We can do it!
  • beesareyellow
    beesareyellow Posts: 335 Member
    I'm 48 years old and when I started this journey I had 90lbs to lose. I now am down 34lbs and plan to pull my bike out this spring for the first time in years. You are never too old, and , by the way, 48 is nowhere near "old". Do use your home exercise equipment though, you are so fortunate to have it. I use my treadmill everyday and it is helping me get in good enough shape to ride my bike:)
    Good luck!
  • saldridge
    saldridge Posts: 125 Member
    You make 48 sound like it's close to a death sentence!

    I'm 49 next month, I don't weigh a whole lot less than you do, I have a bike, I run, I go to Zumba, the gym, you name it - I'll do it to make sure I have a long and happy retirement.

    Get your bikes and go have a whole lot of fun riding them :)))
    Yeah, but you know there are people and there are people...
    If you feel old at 48, you probably are "oldish", ie. sedentary, with old interests, old joints and old thoughts. Most people with 48 consider themselves young because they do younger things, keep their body young (like you) and "think young".

    But I believe with 48, you can probably turn your ship around, sailing it away from the cemetery and visiting a few beautiful places first. You just gotta wanna to!
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    No, you are not too old.

    I am 51 and burned over 4000 calories yesterday between running, bike riding, and walking.
  • Izzy62
    Izzy62 Posts: 62 Member
    You make 48 sound like it's close to a death sentence!

    I'm 49 next month, I don't weigh a whole lot less than you do, I have a bike, I run, I go to Zumba, the gym, you name it - I'll do it to make sure I have a long and happy retirement.

    Get your bikes and go have a whole lot of fun riding them :)))
    Yeah, but you know there are people and there are people...
    If you feel old at 48, you probably are "oldish", ie. sedentary, with old interests, old joints and old thoughts. Most people with 48 consider themselves young because they do younger things, keep their body young (like you) and "think young".

    But I believe with 48, you can probably turn your ship around, sailing it away from the cemetery and visiting a few beautiful places first. You just gotta wanna to!

    Yes I'm sorry, I maybe sounded a little defensive when I read that back.
    I didn't mean it to sound like that xx

    Please just enjoy doing whatever you decide to do, anything is better than doing nothing. Good luck and enjoy it all xx
  • katschi
    katschi Posts: 689 Member
    I'm 50 and ride my bike ... to work, for recreation and to run errands AND I weighed over 240 when I rode last year. Sometimes I feel like Magilla Gorilla riding but who cares?
    Biking riding makes me feel like a kid and I just love it. I can bike for hours and never think of it as exercise. Except of course in a headwind. Then I'm @$#! my head off. :bigsmile:

    I vote for definitely getting out there to ride with your hubby and grandkids. What a great way to bond with the kids and make lots of happy memories together while getting fit and setting a good example.
  • cjnorman
    cjnorman Posts: 93
    Also there are lots of new bike options. If you are worried about comfort or balance they now make adult tricycles. Some can be very cute. However, if you anticipate climbing hills this may not be a good choice. I live in a very hilly area, so a trike is not an option.

    http://bicycleuniverse.info/eqp/
  • michelegrayson
    michelegrayson Posts: 157
    This weekend I went for a 50 mile bike ride with friends. 3 of the members in the ride were over 70 and then can ride much longer than I can. . BTW, I will see 50 this year as well!

    Biking is a GREAT excercise to take into your "autumn" years. As a runner, my knees are breaking down and after a serious car accident a few years ago, I took up bike riding. I LOVE it and it has opened up a whole new world.

    Start slow. Maybe cycle inside for a couple of months until the weather gets better and you feel confident. Then go to a bike shop and deal with someone experienced who can fit you on a bike properly. THAT IS KEY! You can spend a lot of money or just get a bike that fits you, is comfortable and makes you want to go out for a spin! My first bike was less than $500 15 years ago but after riding it consistently for the past 3 years, I am now shopping for a real road bike! My boyfriend rides a 400 mountain bike and is graduating to a real bike as well :>)

    Happy riding!
  • karenjoy
    karenjoy Posts: 1,840 Member
    Blimey you are only 4 years older than me and I am not even thinking of being too old for anything, damn. I only got my legs good enough to flash them again recently, I hate to think that I am getting too old!

    You are NOT too old, goodness me!!!
  • cardbucfan
    cardbucfan Posts: 10,571 Member
    Agree with what everybody else says! I'm 47 and do spin class several times a week. There are 80 year olds in some of the classes! So from a physical standpoint, you can definitely do it and 48 isn't old!!! Just take it slow and get your balance back. This is a great time of year to start doing it too because it's so gorgeous outside right now (well, unless you have snow!).
  • zeeeb
    zeeeb Posts: 805 Member
    unless you have serious blanance issues, there is nothing better than bike riding. I love it! can't wait for my 2 to get a bit older and be able to ride bikes properly so we can go riding on all the beautiful riding tracks around here. it'll be a few years before the exercise value will be much good for us yet, as my girls are only just learning to ride bikes, so it's very slow going.

    no better way to interact with your grand children though, all the while instilling great healthy habits and hobbies for them, so as well as exercising, bonding, having fun, you are giving the kids great fitness tools for the future, no better legacy you can leave if you ask me.
  • CarterGrt
    CarterGrt Posts: 289 Member
    The guy who sold me my bike yesterday was 77 years old and competes in triathlons. They guy looked great, was in great shape, and he rides all the time.

    I am almost 40 and starting out with a road bike so I think you could definitely start.

    --Carter
  • bjerkins
    bjerkins Posts: 107 Member
    Are you trying to hurt my feelings? I am 53 and I have a bike. I even use it. Nice thing about the bike is you can go as fast as you'd like. Go for it!
  • rydn4h2o
    rydn4h2o Posts: 255
    You are not too old! Get out and ride! :)
  • borichfan
    borichfan Posts: 208 Member
    I think i may be a little bit more fit than my husband. I am in perfect health, but my husband is 14 years older than me and he has diabetes and high blood pressure. I guess i just kinda am afraid he will slow me down, and not want to get out and ride bike as much as i do. He is getting cold natured too. i hope i can get him to keep up with me.
  • MissKMN
    MissKMN Posts: 119
    Girl...who said you have to get a tandem bike? If he doesn't WANT to go...leave him behind and enjoy the scenery without him! It sounds like the exercise would do him good as well though and he may truly enjoy it.

    If you are iffy on purchasing TWO bikes, maybe find a place near you that rents them and see how much you enjoy an outing together and if he might want to continue it. I did this with my roommate years ago and we enjoyed the trails so much, we did both end up purchasing (although I'll admit it took awhile to get my balance and strength in check).
  • borichfan
    borichfan Posts: 208 Member
    I am going to get the Ladies Schwinn bike from walmart.
  • 4lafz
    4lafz Posts: 1,078 Member
    Yikes! I am 55 and I ride my bike - LOVE it!. When I started this journey - I worked up to the bike with walking, swimming, Wii Fit Plus. Now I ride and ride! Do it!
  • brainzzz
    brainzzz Posts: 18
    This probably seems like an echo but, NO YOU ARE NOT TOO OLD!
    In fact, biking is a great place to start! It's a lot less impact than other types of exercises like running or even walking. Also, unlike your exercise equipment you get to be outside, in the world seeing sights and breathing fresh air!
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