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Originally posted by Northeastconfederate
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That's a cool opportunity and a great compliment.
My parents are both 80, and both have been training (in their home gym, which I helped them put together) with a trainer (via Skype) for the past couple of years. My dad just competed in an alumni track meet a few weekends ago!
I'll see if I can find out what sort of exercises they're doing. But I know she started them both off with pretty simple stuff - even "partial movements", and works up to the "real thing". For example: "wall pushups" - arms outstretched, palms flat on the wall, standing up straight. Lean toward the wall, bending elbows as if going down for a pushup; then push with arms, chest and shoulders back to upright.
These progressed to "bench pushups" on the knees: kneel in front of a flat bench, arms outstretched, hands on the edge of the bench, kneeling up straight. Lean forward, bending embows until chest just about touches the bench, then push back to upright.
These eventually progress to bench pushups with feet out behind, like a real pushup but with hands on the edge of the bench.
Eventually, they get to doing real pushups.
Likewise with dumbbell presses. Do these lying on the floor with lightweight db's to limit the lower range of motion and get the feel for stabilizing and moving the weight. Trainer refers to this as "safety presses". Progress to flat bench db presses.
Lots of bodyweight and crossfit type exercises like burpees, "man makers", dumbbell swings, etc. She likes to combine various exercises in groups of 3. Like 40 jumping jacks; 20 man makers; 20 bodyweight squats. Rest for 30 seconds (or whatever is appropriate for the fitness level of the subject - same goes for the rep ranges) and repeat. Do 3 rounds of that.
These are a few ideas based on my own experience working with this trainer - I work with her on conditioning - and conversations with my dad about what she has him do.
Oh, one other comment. The trainer was telling my wife a story about one of her clients who was older, maybe roughly 70 but I'm not sure. Trainer wanted the client on the floor for one exercise or another. Client's response was, "I can't do that". Trainer's answer: "That's because you never do!" So, I don't know that I agree with adapting exercises to mostly seated. Doing things standing forces one to engage the core, recruits a lot more stabilizing muscles and does more to benefit the whole body.
Hope all this helps and gives a few ideas.
My parents are both 80, and both have been training (in their home gym, which I helped them put together) with a trainer (via Skype) for the past couple of years. My dad just competed in an alumni track meet a few weekends ago!
I'll see if I can find out what sort of exercises they're doing. But I know she started them both off with pretty simple stuff - even "partial movements", and works up to the "real thing". For example: "wall pushups" - arms outstretched, palms flat on the wall, standing up straight. Lean toward the wall, bending elbows as if going down for a pushup; then push with arms, chest and shoulders back to upright.
These progressed to "bench pushups" on the knees: kneel in front of a flat bench, arms outstretched, hands on the edge of the bench, kneeling up straight. Lean forward, bending embows until chest just about touches the bench, then push back to upright.
These eventually progress to bench pushups with feet out behind, like a real pushup but with hands on the edge of the bench.
Eventually, they get to doing real pushups.
Likewise with dumbbell presses. Do these lying on the floor with lightweight db's to limit the lower range of motion and get the feel for stabilizing and moving the weight. Trainer refers to this as "safety presses". Progress to flat bench db presses.
Lots of bodyweight and crossfit type exercises like burpees, "man makers", dumbbell swings, etc. She likes to combine various exercises in groups of 3. Like 40 jumping jacks; 20 man makers; 20 bodyweight squats. Rest for 30 seconds (or whatever is appropriate for the fitness level of the subject - same goes for the rep ranges) and repeat. Do 3 rounds of that.
These are a few ideas based on my own experience working with this trainer - I work with her on conditioning - and conversations with my dad about what she has him do.
Oh, one other comment. The trainer was telling my wife a story about one of her clients who was older, maybe roughly 70 but I'm not sure. Trainer wanted the client on the floor for one exercise or another. Client's response was, "I can't do that". Trainer's answer: "That's because you never do!" So, I don't know that I agree with adapting exercises to mostly seated. Doing things standing forces one to engage the core, recruits a lot more stabilizing muscles and does more to benefit the whole body.
Hope all this helps and gives a few ideas.