# My mon is 77 and needs to start exercising. Any training suggestions?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mon-is-77-and-needs-to-start-exercising-any-training-suggestions/552757>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [September 6, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mon-is-77-and-needs-to-start-exercising-any-training-suggestions/552757 "2010-09-06T02:43:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mon-is-77-and-needs-to-start-exercising-any-training-suggestions/552757/21 "2010-09-07T18:17:28Z")

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Not a senior here, yet… (though I do qualify for AARP membership!) but I do have knee problems and am overweight (which doesn’t help). I’m finding that an elliptical trainer is a lower-impact form of cardio exercise, without all the hassle of finding a pool, having to change into/out of swimsuit, etc. that you have with water aerobics.

There are a number of different styles of “ellipticals” however, and some of them really feel _wrong_ on the knees, so it’s important to find one that works.

Of course your mother might not “enjoy” it - having music to listen to, or a TV nearby to watch, can help a _lot_.

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**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-mon-is-77-and-needs-to-start-exercising-any-training-suggestions/552757/22 "2010-09-08T00:05:37Z")

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> [@Tamex](#):
>
> How about water aerobics classes? They are supposed to be rather low-impact, and the classes I’ve seen at the Y are filled with seniors.

I will also vote for aqua-fit classes. I see this all the time at our local YMCA. A lot of seniors take part in the aqua-fit classes quite specifically because they can do it despite arthritis and other joint issues.

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