Jumpin’ Jack Flash 🤢

[HeavyFoot]

I’m usually on the HU running forums but have migrated here. I’m 66, heavily built but manage quite long distance jogs.

But to my horror, tried yesterday simply to jump into the air. I barely cleared 2-3 inches off the ground! I had no idea I was so hobbled.

So, suggestions and links from you experts please. I’ve seen the burpees and star jumps but would like a gentle introduction. Thank you 👍

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold]

Hia HeavyFoot! I’m with you! First, I’d ask why you might want to do jumping jacks?

If you indulge me, I’ll tell you how I concluded that high-impact exercises like jumping were not for me.

Last year, I managed to train up to long-ish distance runs (a weekly 10k last year), but I am still super slow and still a heavy runner. (And currently, I also row 4 times per week, with a 10k weekly row)

I have a thyroid condition (Hashimotos) which seems to not allow me to lose much weight no matter what I do with my nutrition or exercise regime. (I am still trying, though). But I’ve come to terms with it and would consider myself fit, whilst certainly weight-challenged.

This means high-impact exercises are not enjoyable, although I’ve tried this or that when it comes up in various training regimes. But I have found high-impact exercises hard, like skipping, rope skipping, jumping jacks, etc.

However, I am still pretty content with where I am in my fitness journey. It’s what I can do with the body that I have. Maybe my future will hold some other more jumpy opportunities. But for now, I’m a low-impact runner/rower.

What S&F are there that still give us a good workout?

Plenty.

First, the daily practice of yoga is brilliant for addressing strengthening and providing flexibility for any runner. YWA YouTube free follow-along channel has both a monthly calendar with daily short sessions yogawithadriene.com/calendar/ or 30-day “Journeys” healthunlocked.com/strength...

In our folders, we also have Pilates healthunlocked.com/strength...

And of course, there is the NHS classic S&F program healthunlocked.com/strength...

As mentioned, I’ve taken up rowing as it’s a brilliant strengthening but low-impact cross-training for runners. I can recommend the 30 min x30days by RowAlong healthunlocked.com/strength...

More intense would be the 30-day James Dunne Challenge that a group of us has been working our way through. This has some jumping included in the daily exercises. And, of course, it’s geared specifically for runners. See healthunlocked.com/strength...

But overall, my thinking is that jumping might be overrated for the type of runner I am.

So I fear I am biased and would first ask why you want to do some jumping when there are so many other ways to stay fit?

[HeavyFoot in reply to CBDB]

Thanks for that very full answer, CBDB. It was out of curiosity that I tried to jump. Perhaps it’s hankering after younger days that I’ve discovered so much that I have allowed to stultify: ten years ago,a lousy sense of balance; three years ago an inability to run further than 20 yards (hence going on C25K); last year impossible to run up rocky trails; now a jump lower than a drunk tortoise’s. Not to mention rising from the floor after exercising more like raising the Titanic.

I’m certainly going to look at all those links you sent. Very useful. My non-running exercise is mainly swimming about 2-3 hours a week, different strokes and speed. According to Mrs Garmin it gives me a cardio workout almost the equivalent of running.

Our local Pilates sessions are very female oriented, but the attendance of a retired policeman there encourages me to try.

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold in reply to HeavyFoot]

That’s great! Yes, maybe it just needs a lot of patience.

I realise that it took my body 10 years to get the way it was (also due to 5 years being undiagnosed and untreated), so it will probably take longer than just the 2 -3 years of running under my belt to get anywhere near where I was.

However, those years of running and yoga have improved my sense of balance immensely , and I am much more nimbler getting off the floor.

And then there is always “slow and steady”. So doing a few tiny jumps regularly but incrementingly ( not sure this is a word) might get you a long way!

Anyway, welcome to this community. With your swimming, running and Pilates we might just pick your brain for ideas for S&F! So I’m so glad you joined!