Germ Cities

We are to some degree out of the Covid scare stage now, at least sort of. Masks, for example, are now an option in most places, as this is being written. But a few holdovers from Covid isolation days are valid health-wise, under all circumstances. Staying away from people showing flu-like symptoms and washing our hands with soap and water after being in public places always makes sense. Covid or no Covid.

What about going to the gym? Gym memberships can be great! On the other hand, they are notorious bacteria and virus breeding grounds. That was true before anyone ever heard of Covid. Good gym managers do their best to keep things sterile, with frequent equipment disinfectant wipe-downs by staff. Still, truly sterile gym conditions are nearly impossible. I’m certainly not denigrating gyms. My wife and I worked out in commercial health clubs for years and taught classes in them.

Today, however, I wonder how many senior subscribers belong to a health club or gym? Who knows? But certainly many do belong. If you happen to be a gym member, have you ever considered switching to working out at home?

Your own weights, resistance bands, and/or bodyweight exercises make it easy to create your own home gym. For years now, I’ve been exercising at home, exclusively. It’s unlikely that I’ll ever join another health club. Home workouts are too convenient.

If you have the self-discipline, the hours saved by not having to drive to a health club is another good reason to create your own gym. My home gym won’t pass for Gold’s — but it’s effective. Take a look. Even when I belonged to a health club, I would still use my home workout gear on days when I was pressed for time.

Home gyms can be as simple or extensive as you want them to be. Look at George Boedecker’s home gym, as an example of a home gym that has everything. Younger seniors still using heavy iron would find plenty of it at George’s. Yet nothing more than a set of dumbbells or kettlebells, plus some bodyweight exercises, can be highly effective too. Add resistance bands and you’ve made your gym portable. Multi-purpose machines take up more space but are worth considering, if your budget allows it.

At my age, 85, I’ve graduated to resistant bands for most exercises. I’m a big fan of the bands and I can workout almost anywhere with them.

There’s a place on my website where trainees can create their own personal story page and include a picture of their workout space and equipment. Take a look. Fitness devotees, bodybuilders, and lifters of all ages are always interested in seeing where other people train and the kind of equipment they use. If you have a home gym, why not share the history of your training space and how you decided on your equipment? It could be a couple of kettlebells in the corner of a room or a big space filled with everything from free weights to fitness machines.

There is an easy-to-use form to walk you through your contribution. I promise that plenty of people will be interested.

Stay healthy. Stay fit.

Logan

Senior Exercise Central

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Sincerely,

Logan Franklin
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter
www.senior-exercise-central.com