Fit After 50: Three Fun Ways to Exercise Without Setting Foot in a Gym
- Wendy Weber
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
I love the idea of going to the gym. Years ago, Wellington had a wonderful women’s gym with doable classes (four different aerobic dance classes!) and a cheerful array of shiny machines. Then it went bust—and I’ve never quite found another place where I feel at home. Most gyms cater to a younger, fitter crowd (let’s call them the under-50s), and whenever I’ve tried their classes, I’ve walked out feeling both ancient and not up to snuff.
As a Nutritionist and Health Coach, I see the same thing happen with some of my clients. They join a gym with the best intentions, only to be discouraged by the relentless pace of group classes, the endless “reps” handed out by personal trainers, or the monotony of treadmill life—unless, of course, you can watch some Netflix while going through the motions.
So, I’ve started scouting for alternatives—ways to stay fit without stepping foot into a traditional gym. My criteria were simple: it has to be fun, something you actually look forward to, full of variety, and accessible for almost everyone.
Below are the three options I’ve found and now genuinely love doing myself. No sponsorships, no discounts, no kickbacks—just honest endorsements from the heart. And yes, sorry guys, the first two are a bit more geared toward women.
1. Never Stop Dancing
I believe that dancing is one of the most joyful ways to boost your aerobic fitness. The choreography needs to hit that sweet spot—not so simple that you get bored, but not so complicated that you just want to give up after a few minutes. That little bit of challenge is great for your brain, too. And of course, the music must be fun and uplifting; bonus points if you catch yourself singing along.
I’ve tried all the major online aerobic dance providers (trust me, all of them), and most missed the mark. The one that absolutely nailed it is Never Stop Dancing. To my infinite delight, Virginia—the wonderful human behind it—also runs live classes here in Wellington, which I now attend religiously. She offers a big library of online classes as well, perfect for those moments when I have a spare half-hour and need a quick mood and energy boost.
If you’d like to check it out, here’s her website: https://www.neverstopdancing.co.nz/
2. SeniorShape
Once you’ve got the aerobic side of things sorted, strength and flexibility still deserve some love. SeniorShape by Lauren is a bit of a one-stop shop, with an impressively wide range of online classes: strength, cardio, yoga, Pilates, barre, stretch, flexibility, balance—you name it, she’s got it.
I mostly gravitate toward her dumbbell strength classes. They’re varied enough to keep things interesting, and they work muscles you didn’t even realise were quietly minding their own business. All her sessions are geared toward active older adults and beginners - so also suitable for couch potatoes in their 30s and 40s who want to start exercising.
I also enjoy her kickboxing, barre, and stretching/flexibility sessions. As for yoga and Pilates, I personally prefer going to my local studio—there’s something about the atmosphere and having highly trained instructors that makes a big difference. But SeniorShape has one very compelling advantage: it’s completely free. Lauren accepts donations, but they’re entirely optional.
You can explore her classes here: https://www.seniorshape.com/
3. Walking Outside
Walking is sooo good for you. Research consistently shows that regular walking improves cardiovascular fitness, reduces inflammation, and supports healthy blood pressure and glucose control. Large studies also show that taking 7,000–10,000 steps a day is linked to lower all-cause mortality. And because walking gets you outside, you naturally soak up some sunlight—helping your body produce vitamin D, which is essential for strong bones, immune function, and overall vitality.
I’m lucky to live right in the centre of the lovely city of Wellington, and the fact that I don’t own a car means walking is built into my day. My Fitbit keeps me honest, and I aim for at least 9,000 steps daily. A walk to the supermarket doubles as strength training on the way home—not that I’m always thrilled about that part 😊. I also love walking with friends; it’s the perfect mix of conversation, gentle exercise, and the occasional sit-down on a bench along Oriental Parade. Okay, now I do sound old!
For a more intense workout, adding hills is brilliant. I’m also planning to start combining walking with very short stretches of jogging. I even bought special running shoes last October. They’re still pristine… but hey, it’s good to have goals!
Conclusion
As a Nutritionist and Health Coach, I’ve worked with plenty of clients who genuinely love going to the gym—and it is certainly not my intention to change their mind! But there are just as many people (myself included) for whom the traditional gym environment simply doesn’t feel like the right fit. If that’s you, I hope these three alternatives have sparked a bit of inspiration and reminded you that movement can be joyful, varied, and completely tailored to your preferences.
You also don’t need much gear to get started. For the first two options, a laptop or tablet works perfectly—bonus points if you can stream to your TV for the full studio experience. If you’re exercising in the living room, you might need to slide the coffee table out of the way, but you certainly don’t need a ballroom. For SeniorShape’s strength classes, a couple of sets of dumbbells and a yoga mat are helpful—unless you already have soft, forgiving carpet, in which case you’re halfway there.
If this article has inspired you to make some positive changes to your diet or lifestyle, feel free to check out my Special Summer Offer or book a Free Consultation Session. It’s a relaxed, no-obligation chat where we explore your goals, your challenges, and whether my programmes might be the right fit for you.