I was at the gym early this morning doing a cardio interval workout on the stair climber and saw something really interesting. I see a lot of interesting things at the gym, and from time to time, I’ll pass them along to you to illustrate a point.

In front of the stair climbers at my gym is a row of treadmills. In front of me on one of these treadmills this morning was a woman who appeared to be in her early to mid-sixties. I don’t know this woman. I’ve actually never seen her before. She appeared to by in good health, was perhaps 25 pounds overweight at most, and did not walk as if she had any type of physical disability.

First of all, kudos to her for being at the gym and moving her body. For all I know, it could’ve been her first day at the gym. Any movement at all is better than nothing.

Now for the reason for this post: This woman was wearing a nice pair of black patent leather flats (with about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch heel) while she walking on the treadmill. I’m no shoe expert, but they looked a lot like Ferragamo shoes. Maybe Cole Haans. In any event–nice shoes. Really nice shoes (like, about $300+ nice). This caught my eye. So I kept observing her.

I was able to read the speed display on her treadmill: 1.9 miles per hour, which she increased to 2.0 mph a little later on (FYI: When we are “strolling”, most of us are walking at about 2.0 to 2.6 miles per hour). She had on a nice pair of capri pants and a shirt with collar on it. They looked to be made of a breathable fabric, so I give her points for being dressed somewhat appropriately with regard to clothing. She also wore beautiful, large gold earrings and a lovely, thick (probably an inch wide) heavy gold bracelet as she worked out. She looked just great. Definitely has nice taste in jewelry. She looked very put together and very comfortable (except for the shoe part–I could see her heel being rubbed by the back of the stiff leather shoes).

So, what’s the problem?

First off, the shoes. The shoes she had on, although very nice shoes (really nice shoes), were absolutely wrong for a workout. Her shoes had no right to be on a treadmill! Good, supportive athletic shoes and quality absorbent socks are a must. The only place we should see a “loafer” type shoe in a gym is in the locker room for after your shower. Never, ever, on a treadmill or anything else in the gym. Never.

Second, the workout intensity. Again, I don’t know this woman. It’s possible she’s just getting back into the gym after a health issue. If so, bless her for getting herself to the gym and for exercising. But assuming no health or mobility limitations–the 1.9 miles per hour is just not going to effect change for her with regard to her fitness or fatness level (could be beneficial for stress reduction, though). Granted, any exercise is better than none. But we need to break a sweat and exert ourselves to some degree to force our body to adapt and change.

Frankly, the speed at which anyone walks on a treadmill isn’t my point. The point is–how hard are you working when you exercise? A good cardio workout should get you to the point where your breathing is somewhat rapid and you’re breaking a sweat. Whether it takes a treadmill speed of 2.5 miles per hour or 8.5 miles per to do that is irrelevant. This woman in front of me on the treadmill today just looked too comfortable. As my friend and fitness colleague, BJ Gaddour, in Wisconsin says “If you work out comfortably, you’re gonna look comfortable” (think soft and squishy).

My third and final point: Leave the bangles and dangling earrings at home. I don’t own a lot of fine jewelry. But what I do own doesn’t go to the gym with me (except sometimes my wedding ring). Heavy, cumbersome fine jewelry doesn’t belong in the gym. You’re there to work, sweat and move your body. Your shoes and clothing need to be up to the task.

We boomer women are very busy women. We need to use our time wisely. When you exercise, make your time count for something. Burn some serious calories. Lift some weight that really tires out your muscles. Ladies, we may be older, but most of use aren’t that fragile.

Get into it with your workouts and break a sweat. Get a little breathless. This is how we keep the “middle age” inches from creeping up. We don’t do it by walking on a treadmill at a terribly slow pace wearing designer shoes and solid gold jewelry.

Committed to your success,

Becky

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