Sports or group exercise for quasi-fit 40-something mom?
March 6, 2019 6:26 AM   Subscribe

Looking for ideas of sports hobbies or group fitness classes I might enjoy!

I recently completed a 2-month course of personal training 2x/week, and remembered that I really like exercising and challenging myself, enjoy the social atmosphere, as well as being coached. I think I'm reasonably fit for my demographic (40-something working mom) but I tend to be prone to injury if I overdo it, and definitely need to build up muscle strength. Personal training is too expensive to continue long-term. My only "no" is Peloton or spinning - I do love to bike, but can't fathom doing it indoors. I'm in a major East Coast city with waterfront, so I have a lot of options.
posted by schwinggg! to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (26 answers total) 7 users marked this as a favorite
 
It's not an exercise class, but swing dancing can be quite vigorous, is super social, & is lots of fun. :) I've definitely improved my aerobic capacity (& also my strength in my arms from leading, haha) through it.
posted by diffuse at 6:28 AM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


I've done HIIT classes at 2 different gyms in my area and really enjoyed it. At the two I've tried there have been a range of people, super in shape and super out of shape. The instructors offer alternatives to make the exercises easier or harder.

A typical workout is warm-up for ~10 minutes, 20-30 minutes of exercising, and then either cool down stretching or a last bit of cardio to get the afterburn going.

The workout part changes, which keeps it from getting boring, but it's all done either using body weights, or dumbells, medicine balls, stretchy bands. No complicated machinery.

Would totally recommend these type of classes to anyone. My current gym offers free community workouts several times a year so people can try it out.
posted by MadMadam at 6:35 AM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


If you enjoy beer, find a local brewery with a weekly running group. Many places offer a 5K with a group (sometimes small, sometimes 150+) one weeknight a week, and usually have people running at every pace between Very Fast and Walking. And there's plenty of socializing happening during and after.
posted by bowbeacon at 6:51 AM on March 6, 2019


Tennis is highly social and generally contains a huge range of skill levels. If you're in a major east-coast city you probably also have good municipal courts (which are generally cheap or free), a couple of tennis clubs, and probably a gym or two that has a tennis program as well.
posted by cirgue at 7:07 AM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


Do you enjoy swimming? Consider USMS "Masters" swimming. Despite the IMHO offputting "masters" name it's just a swim club for adults rather than youngsters. There's usually a good range of abilities and good clubs have coaches who'll give experienced swimmers a good workout, while setting more modest goals for lanes with slower/less able swimmers. Heck I've turned up grumpy some nights and just wallowed 500 yards or so and noone minds - the workout itself is pretty optional provided you have room to do your own thing and aren't holding someone else up.

Often the coach will throw in some instruction if you make it known you'd welcome it ( many of the old hands just want to be told their workout and left to get on with it!) My old club did quite a few social outings too, and as we are on the atlantic coast we were able to sign up for assorted organized ocean swims etc. (Some of the wealthier members did swims in other bits of the world together, too). https://www.usms.org/
posted by aesop at 7:10 AM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


Orangetheory
posted by glenngulia at 7:32 AM on March 6, 2019


Barre classes are not high-intensity, but they do build muscle. The instructors will help you get in the right positions and make sure you don't hurt yourself, and the music and atmosphere keep you going. I've only done Pure Barre, but I think most of them are similar. They all seem to have introductory specials, so you can try different versions and see what you like.
posted by mogget at 7:41 AM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


I’ve recently started doing Barre3 and really like it. It’s an hour long group exercise class with a focus on core strength and low weight high rep strength training. I have noticed a marked improvement in my strength even going just once a week for the last three months (working mom of a toddler here!). There are other barre options, but I don’t know what those are like.
posted by wsquared at 7:41 AM on March 6, 2019


As you can tell from my user name, I really love fencing. I didn't start until I was 50. Also, I'm terrible at it. Nevertheless, I have found my local fencing community to be extremely welcoming. I love the sport and the social aspect. It's a great stress reliever. When someone is coming at you with a sword, you can't think about anything else. It makes me feel like a badass, when I'm totally not one. (I also love the look on people's faces when I tell them I - frumpy, older woman - am a fencer. It's like I'm a talking dog.)

There are two kinds of fencing: modern and historical. If historical interests you, search for HEMA in your area. I was fortunate enough to start with a club that does both. They are both fun in different ways.
posted by FencingGal at 7:46 AM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: These are all amazing ideas guys, what a range!

Orangetheory
posted by glenngulia at 7:32 AM on March 6 [mark as best answer] [+] [!]


Can you tell me what you like about Orangetheory? I am a little confused by it. Is it fun? Does it make you push past your actual limits? (Not good for me, since I'm prone to joint injuries.)
posted by schwinggg! at 7:53 AM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


I tried one OrangeTheory class and it did not feel like a safe experience to me - people around me were doing exercises with bad form, there was a lot of "go go go", and the coaches were not correcting people. However, there's got to be high variance between studio / classes and maybe I got a dud.

If you go for swing dancing, make sure you learn to guard your own right shoulder when following - it's a common source of injury.

I feel like a small HIIT class would be good (the one I went to was a max of 9 people per class and effectively was small group personal training), or Barre (small movements and light weights).
posted by batter_my_heart at 8:28 AM on March 6, 2019


The exercise that has revolutionized my life (at age 50) and made me absolutely look forward to working out is...ice skating. There are adult beginner lessons at most rinks, and what I have discovered is something that is fun, great exercise, a challenge, and so good for my brain and body. You will fall down much less than you think you will. And especially at the beginning you will fall in slow, non-dramatic ways that do not hurt you. There's an adult beginner curriculum, so you'll be able to set goals and watch yourself improve.

Go to a public skate one time and see if it might be for you. If yes, then spend under $150 on a basic pair of skates -- rental skates are trash. If you take lessons for a few months, you'll rise to a level that qualifies you to attend the rink's open freestyle skates, which means you won't have to practice on super-crowded public ice.
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:29 AM on March 6, 2019


I know someone whose wife was severely injured doing OrangeTheory in a way that keeps her from doing other exercise. I don't have more details, but that checks out with what batter_my_heart says.
posted by FencingGal at 8:32 AM on March 6, 2019


Swing dancing is aerobic in a way that a lot of other partner dance isn't, so I approve very much here. It's also somewhat less "sexy"/flirty than things like blues dance, which is a plus for me. If you find partner dance difficult, I'd recommend going to a few sessions of something easier first, like contradance or square dancing, so you can learn partner dance techniques in a simpler and much more structured setting first. I tend to give that advice to people who want to dance as a lead and are confused by the need to improvise before they have a vocabulary to improvise with, but I think that might be useful to new dancers who dance follower roles as well.
posted by twoplussix at 9:02 AM on March 6, 2019


ClassPass is really great for this. Try a bunch of different classes at different gyms and see what you like. I did this for a few months and it's not just the type of exercise you're doing--the general vibe/social aspect of each gym can really vary. If the exercise is great but I don't like the instructors/members then I know I won't want to go. Once I found a gym where I really fit in and enjoyed the classes, I quit the ClassPass and got a membership there and it's been really awesome. The biggest thing you'll want to look for are the quality of the instructors and how well they respect individuals' needs and offer modifications for exercises. I also think one of the reasons I like the gym I found is because the owner has a good relationship with the instructors so the morale is high and there's very little instructor turnover.
posted by shornco at 9:39 AM on March 6, 2019 [2 favorites]


Have you considered trying classpass for a month or two? That way you could try a variety of classes/studios/activities and see what you like and feel challenged but safe doing. Right now classpass is showing me $40 off the first month for a new member if I do a referral - if you don't know anyone who is a member (who would also get a discount for referring you), memail me if you're interested and I can do the referral.

Additionally or separately, maybe a rowing class? I've done them at several studios in NY and I find them challenging but fun. If you try one, do make sure that the instructor goes over the proper form with you so that you don't get injured. Row House is in New York but has franchised so it may be already or soon be in your city if you're elsewhere. There are several other rowing studios as well.
posted by Caz721 at 9:42 AM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


I started doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu about two years ago and love the social aspect of it as well as the challenge. I can't stand doing classes (spin, aerobic, etc)-- I'm sure it works for other people but I always get tripped up and frustrated and there's not much to keep me going. I can be pretty competitive and a perfectionist, but the idea that 1) no one is ever going to be perfect at jiu jitsu, 2) I can still work towards something (a higher belt rank) and 3) that work can/is at my own pace help ground me. Most gyms have classes every day of the week and many have deals on attending your first class or participating in a women's class. There are schools out there that are COMPETITION TRAINING ALL THE TIME and you basically have to fight to survive (or be noticed), but you can shop around and look for places that don't put a focus on competing and there are a wide variation in people and body types.

Like any sport or physical activity, you can injure yourself, but a lot of BJJ is understanding the movement and if you rush it, you won't get it. I don't work with people who I know are really rough or if I'm not feeling great physically (maybe I hurt my back sleeping or some other injury that comes from just getting older). I push myself and my training partners and professor push me too, but I feel safe about my actions and still get to work on goals I set for myself.
posted by thefang at 10:11 AM on March 6, 2019 [2 favorites]


Response by poster: I started doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu about two years ago and love the social aspect of it as well as the challenge.

I'm interested in this, since I did jiu jitsu for a while as a teen. Is there any way to identify dojos where the instructors are more safety-minded?
posted by schwinggg! at 10:41 AM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


I love kettlebells - it's a friendly class, everyone works at their own level, I get strength training to complement the cardio I get from running, and it's a good all-over workout. I'm not one for group exercise classes, but I've stuck with this for about two years now.
posted by penguin pie at 10:55 AM on March 6, 2019


I love archery, and wanting to improve at archery has motivated me to get more into strength training. I'm a regular at a range (and on the team, now) and it's very social if you want it to be.
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:16 AM on March 6, 2019


There's a 'Women's Grappling Network' on Facebook where people can recommend places they currently go to or have been to in your area. I was lucky and my partner was already going to my gym, but he tried a few other places (attended a class or two, watched some classes, asked around, Yelp'd) and found this was the best fit. A good school will let you come in and just watch and chat with you about what classes are like, how many students per class, schedules, promotions, who teaches, etc. You can (usually) try a class and see how it runs. If they're letting brand new people who have limited experience go out and free roll, then it's not going to be very safety focused. A school with one teacher who teaches karate/kickboxing/jiu jitsu/kempo/aikido is probably not someone who is very experienced in jiu jitsu (but maybe they are and they just really like martial arts!). I think it really is about the 'vibe' of a place: are people friendly and seem like regular adults with families and jobs and things that may take priority over jiu jitsu and it's okay? Or is it a place where it's jiu jitsu is LIFE and nothing else matters?
posted by thefang at 11:39 AM on March 6, 2019


I started doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu about two years ago and love the social aspect of it as well as the challenge.

I'm interested in this, since I did jiu jitsu for a while as a teen. Is there any way to identify dojos where the instructors are more safety-minded?
Brazilian jiu-jitsu involves a lot of quite vigorous partner work. I love it deeply but is a contact sport. If the jujitsu you've done was Japanese, it may surprise you how different the Brazilian form is: training involves full-contact wrestling with chokes and jointlocks applied live by an uncooperative partner.

The best way to find the safest Brazilian jiujitsu gym (within the bounds of its identity) is to try a class at all the gyms within commute distance, and mention your concern to the instructor. Checking various reviews and networks is a good idea too. But frankly if safety is a high priority and you "definitely need to build up muscle strength" then it may not be the best idea for you right now. Or maybe you'll love it and the risk is acceptable!

I say this not to dissuade you but to make sure you understand that injury management is a part of BJJ training even for hobbyists. At a good gym that usually means a couple light sprains per student per year, but the risk for worse injury is always present. I train BJJ recognizing these risks because it's ludicrously fun and rewarding and makes me feel great and powerful and skillful. But it's important to be honest that it is fundamentally a combat sport and training it involves more sacrifice than non-contact sports.
posted by daveliepmann at 11:58 AM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


I have been going to an HIIT gym called F45 and loving it. The trainers are attentive, encouraging, and offer lots of modifications and injury prevention tips. It’s not cheap, but the group class dynamic actually gets me to the gym 5 times a week so I find it worth it.
posted by coppermoss at 12:27 PM on March 6, 2019


The more injury-prone I get, the more useful Pilates or very-Pilates-flavored classes are to me. I like the small groups (8-15 students) for a reasonable price-to-observation ratio. Some of them are mostly flexibility, some of them strength-oriented.

You do want a trained or experienced teacher -- I find this with barre classes too, where I practiced something wrong and hurt an ankle.
posted by clew at 12:56 PM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]


Belly dancing / raqs sharqi.
posted by TrishaU at 5:20 PM on March 6, 2019


I go to an tiny box of a gym for small-group personal training; like, 2-8 people in any given session. It’s free weights/kettlebells/medicine balls etc. and HIIT with a great instructor and it’s not as expensive as straight-up personal training. As a fit-ish almost 40-something non-mom I have made a bunch of friends in my regular slot, which is very motivating and has led to activity partners and training plans for other things (like chill races/tris/relays).

I am SO much stronger than I was and my coach really is great and careful to actually coach and pay attention. Is there something like this in your area?
posted by charmedimsure at 7:05 PM on March 6, 2019


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