? Abt working out with my MIL

[howzitbn]

I've been exercising with Cathe for years so all of my weight training is done at home. We belong to the YMCA (where my DH likes to workout), but I rarely go anymore. Anyways, to motivate my MIL I asked her if she'd start going with me to the YMCA. It's been great and now she wants to start doing the weights (which I think is awesome!). BUT, how do I get her started?? We went today and did two sets of 8 reps on the upper body machines. Is that fine? I'm totally unsure about the sets/reps for her. She's 65 and very active, but hasn't lifted weights in years (if ever). I love her and I'm proud of her for doing this, but I just don't want to overdo it or underdo it. Does that make sense?

Thanks in advance!
Tana

 

[Aquajock]

Tana, I think it's great that your MIL is interested in weight training, AND it's great that you and she work out together. However, given that she's a novice at weight training and she's 65 to boot, I think it would be better if she had a certified trainer, preferably one who's educated and skilled in the art of training mature beginners, introduce her to the basics of resistance training. It's one thing to train one's self, which I'm sure you've done successfully; it's a wholly different thing to train another, and given the facts of your situation IMHO your MIL needs instruction from a professional. I'm sure your YMCA has trainers on staff.

FWIW -

A-Jock

 

[howzitbn]

Thanks for your response, A-Jock. I totally agree! She had an appt with one of their trainers, but cancelled it. :-(

I've mentioned it since then that she really needed to meet with one of them especially for the set/rep reason (and definitely for safety), but she blew me off. I'll keep at her. Maybe if I offer to go with her to the appt as moral support, she'll reschedule. I know she's intimidated. Maybe when we're doing cardio tomorrow we can find a trainer that she thinks looks friendly and request that one.

Hmm...kinda reminds me of the thread the other day about becoming a personal trainer at an "older" age. Having someone "older" would definitely help my MIL. I think I'll call the Y and see if they have a recommendation.

Thanks again!
Tana

 

[jdawnc]

What if you booked a double session with both you and your MIL. She could be intimidated of the personal trainer. I work out with my MIL and we did personal training sessions and that helped a lot for me to hear what MIL is expecting out of a gym program.

 

[howzitbn]

Double session with a trainer...AWESOME idea!! I could use some gym pointers too since it's been a couple of years since I've used their weight machines. I tried before, but got bored and didn't feel like I was getting as much out of it as 'training' with Cathe.

Thank you for the fabulous idea!
Tana

 

[jodijodi]

DH and I did a double session with a trainer, and it was great. He learned how to use the machines, I got some form pointers for dealing with some injuries, and overall it was very helpful. One session was all we needed, plus it was helpful for each of us keep up with what the other one was doing. As an example, I was able to keep an eye on his form for squats until he got the hang of it, and he was able to watch me on my lunges.