I've been really focusing on my blood pressure numbers for the past couple of years - which I've never had to do. I've switched to low salts, more potassium and increased fiber. I also make sure I get enough protein to support my workouts - although, probably not enough to support more growth.

On my last docs appointment my doc asked me to get more cardio in for heart health. I can't do steady state cardio of anything. I get way to board and know I wouldn't stick to it. I started incorporating kettlebell deck squats in my workouts just as a fun exercise to do. Once my workout block was over I switch to plyometric exercises. What a difference! It's not total cardio because it taps into the anaerobic energy system but after 15 minutes of plyo training I'm left with nothing in the tank. Every muscle in my body is sore - in a good way - and I feel that high you get from running a 5 or 10K race.

I've been doing it for a month and have been really feeling the benefits from it. Anyone with experience with Plyometric Training?

I also get bored with steady state cardio and never did well sticking to it. Years ago I started intermittent sprinting and plyo. Very happy with it - super efficient way to get the sweat going and the real world benefits far exceed running. My main advice is just to start easy and pay attention to form - the bouncing around can quickly cause an injury, particularly if you're joints and fascia arn't ready for it. Additionally, a light and easy intro phase also helps build confidence and doesn't make it so hard that you quit after a couple days.

On 3/8/2026 at 9:41 AM, Hartwood71 said:

Years ago I started intermittent sprinting and plyo.

Unfortunately the sprinting is out of the question for me. My knee (singular) just doesn’t like it anymore and, to be fair, I think it’s fine but it’s in my head.

What are you doing for sprints or is it kinda like a free style type of sprint and not really logging time or distance?

My son is into that

Sprints: I'm def not trying to break any records - or body parts.
2-4 min decent pace walk to warm up >

30 sec sprint >

90 sec pace walk >

repeat that cycle 10 times >

then walk for about 5 minutes to cool down.
End up being about 2 miles of total work over about 22 minutes. I Gets the sweat going and definitely has a good strength/stretch combo.
I sometimes do on a treadmill and other times on a outdoor track.

H.I.I.T. is my thing. Might be hill sprints, kettlebell or sandbag exercises or carries, running stairs, running stairs with 75 to 100lbs, plain old calisthenics. I do H.I.I.T. and long walks with my wife (30 - 60 minutes after work or a half day hike on the weekend). Long runs are a hard no these days. Outstanding work @Jigfishn10 . I'm glad you're enjoying it.

@BigAngus752 and @Hartwood71, great stuff! I love to hear what ppl are doing. I find myself incorporating different exercises into my own routines from what others are doing.

Thank you for your input.

I just came back from my annual physical and my BP was the best it’s been in a few years. 118/76! So very happy with those results. I lost about 10 lbs and now just have to wait for my blood work to come back from the lab. Biggest metric there is cholesterol. My last physical my numbers were on the fringe. He doesn’t seem overly concerned about it. He thinks it was a blip. I really never had an issue with it. We’ll see.

That's excellent. I also just had a physical two weeks ago and was genuinely surprised at my BP and bloodwork stats - Best they've been on 20 years. I'm def not obsessive about eating and exercising but cutting back a little on food and exercising just a few times a week has yielded real results. Funny, it turns out that following sound advice actually can make a difference.

1 hour ago, Hartwood71 said:

Funny, it turns out that following sound advice actually can make a difference.

So true and a lot of ppl don’t do it.

I see my parents with their meds and it’s staggering! I am trying to avoid meds for as long as I can.

Congrats on your clean bill of health, bud

I used to do plyos a lot more. Had some old injuries it aggravated so I scaled it back to a few rounds durning my warmup routine.

Anyways the best cardio is the one that you’ll do consistently and if you’ve found that with plyos thats awesome!

1 hour ago, bp_fowler said:

Had some old injuries it aggravated

Smart move. Training is supposed to help you not break you

I’ve been working on kneeling jump squats - start from a kneeling position and propel yourself up to a squat position.

I think this one will take time for a soon to be 60 y/o body. Haha

Being 73 my training is slow and deliberate.

I'm very conscious of making every movement carefully.

Mine is directed towards being able to kayak and fish, a lot on the aspect of paddling.

Spend around 20 minutes doing various stretching, balance exercises and broom stick exercises, then on to weight training or resistance bands.

The last section is sitting on my bench with a back padded pole to simulate sitting in a kayak, then paddle with a 7 lb black pipe using proper technique for 3 sets of 100 or more strokes.

Again I can't stress enough to be careful and deliberate, screwing up at this age the recovery time ain't what it use to be.

Best wishes to all who take the time to keep active, sometimes it's not easy to get motivated but it's crucial to keep at it.

You plyometric training studs are a lot braver than I am.

At this point, ballistic and/or impact-type resistance movements are my arch enemy.

Way too much risk for injury for this guy.

Train Hard, Smart & Safe.

A-Jay

As I have made my way into my 60's I have found I need more/extended recovery time -- frustrating for a life-long athlete that wants to get after it -- but, if I try and go, Go, GO without extended recovery time I find myself nursing an injury -- So I would caution doing the plyo's without significant warm-up and extended recovery times -- I agree with @A-Jay -- train hard but stay smart and safe when doing so

7 hours ago, herder said:

Mine is directed towards being able to kayak and fish, a lot on the aspect of paddling.

I’m all about training goals and what works for you. Training modalities are only good if you stick with it

7 hours ago, WaskaCrank12 said:

As I have made my way into my 60's I have found I need more/extended recovery time

Listening to your body and recovery are huge! Glad you’re smart with your training. Nothing wrong with that.

Plyo is scalable and doesn’t need to be high impact. Jumping rope, for example, is low impact and is plyo. I guess you can poo poo it if you want, but most can be scaled and can be very beneficial as you enter your senior years.

I'm in my 80's now and it's sad to admit the old stud horse ain't what he used to be. I trained 6-7 times a week and competed in regional body building competitions until my late 60's. I hated cardio then, and still do; it's boring. What I did, and still do, is high repetition leg presses non stop for 15 to 20 minutes, walking lunges with dumbells, box jumps, and unweighted deep squats; any of those when done in volume with light weights will always leave me huffin' and puffin' like an old freight train. This routine may not be for everyone, but keeps my weight and blood pressure down and I'm not on any meds. This year I've reduced my gym sessions with weights to 3-4 times weekly, but my Border Colly still demands her daily walks, swimming, and fetch sessions which last for 1-2 hours; keeps me off the couch.

@Tackleholic, LOVED THAT POST!

I’m still waiting for warmer weather but a pair of dumbbells and a high school track is great for a 400 meter walking lunge trip!

You have a great mix of exercises there, keep it up young fella!

6 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

@Tackleholic, LOVED THAT POST!

I’m still waiting for warmer weather but a pair of dumbbells and a high school track is great for a 400 meter walking lunge trip!

You have a great mix of exercises there, keep it up young fella!

That trip will really get you high!

56 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

@Tackleholic, LOVED THAT POST!

I’m still waiting for warmer weather but a pair of dumbbells and a high school track is great for a 400 meter walking lunge trip!

You have a great mix of exercises there, keep it up young fella!

Ah yes, the good ol’ lunge to nowhere. I remember those from two-a-days in high school and still shudder 😂