{"id":380714,"date":"2026-04-15T13:19:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/380714\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:19:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:19:11","slug":"im-65-and-train-with-my-87-year-old-mum-this-simple-30-minute-routine-keeps-us-both-strong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/380714\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I\u2019m 65 and train with my 87-year-old mum \u2013 this simple 30-minute routine keeps us both strong’"},"content":{"rendered":"

During her 35 years in the fitness<\/a> industry, personal trainer and nutritionist Janet Osborne<\/a> has helped thousands of women of all ages feel better in their bodies, using movement and <\/p>\n

resistance training<\/a> to build lasting strength and confidence.<\/p>\n

However, it was her mum who inspired her to focus on creating home workouts for clients in midlife<\/a> and beyond \u2013 delivering movement that prioritised staying physically functional over being overly demanding or strenuous.<\/p>\n

Now, she and her mum enjoy working out together, combining full-body strength <\/a>training<\/a> with lighter mobility sessions, walking<\/a> and outdoor sports, while ensuring \u2018exercise snacks<\/a>\u2019 form a core part of her mum\u2019s routine. <\/p>\n

After decades in the fitness industry, I discovered that strength<\/a>, mobility<\/a> and independence matter far more than intensity \u2013 and my mum helped show me why.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been a personal trainer and group fitness instructor for over 35 years, working in fitness clubs, but it wasn\u2019t until I shifted my business online at 62 that everything really changed.<\/p>\n

At that point, I started sharing simple, at-home workouts. But I wasn\u2019t specifically focused on midlife and older women until I began posting with my mum, who was 85 at the time. That\u2019s when I realised women were looking for something realistic, approachable and supportive \u2013 not intense or overwhelming.<\/p>\n

Training with my mum \u2013 now 87 \u2013 has shaped how I think about exercise more than anything else. When I notice areas where she\u2019s losing strength or mobility, those often become the inspiration for what I share on Instagram<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>k. It keeps everything grounded in real life, not theory.<\/p>\n

\"65Our weekly routines<\/p>\n

Our weekly routine isn\u2019t rigid, and that\u2019s an important part of why it works.<\/p>\n

My schedule is anchored by the classes I teach online, where I offer both beginner (no floor, more modified) and all-level (more flow, optional progressions) versions of each workout.<\/p>\n

In between, I build in walking, mobility and lighter movement days, along with getting outside for activities I enjoy depending on the season, such as skiing, biking, golf and paddleboarding.<\/p>\n

My mum follows a similar rhythm. She walks daily, plays golf two to three times a week, and when we\u2019re together, we get outside for long walks or a round of golf whenever we can \u2013 always fitting in a workout too.<\/p>\n

That idea \u2013 \u2018exercise snacks\u2019 \u2013 has become a big part of how she trains. Instead of thinking of movement as one long workout, we break it into small, manageable pieces: a few sit-to-stands here, some balance work there, calf raises<\/a>, gentle stretches \u2013 and lately she\u2019s been working on her deep squat<\/a> using a railing for support. Sit-to-stands are one of our staples, as being able to get up and down from a chair<\/a> is a key indicator of independence.<\/p>\n

We also focus heavily on functional movements: exercises that directly support everyday life. This includes floor mobility \u2013 maintaining the ability to safely get down to the floor and back up again \u2013 along with balance and stability work to help prevent falls.<\/p>\n

\"65A typical 30-minute session<\/p>\n

Our workouts together are simple and approachable:<\/p>\n

Warm-up (5 minutes)Marching in placeLeg swingsHip CARsArm circles and swingsGentle mobilityStrength (20 minutes)<\/p>\n

Repeat for 2-3 rounds at your own pace<\/p>\n

Heel-to-toe raises x 15Sit-to-stands x 10Supported reverse lunges (or modify with tap-backs) x 10Seated bent-over dumbbell rows<\/a> x 10Lateral raises<\/a> x 10Side leg lifts x 10 each sideIncline push-ups<\/a> at the counterWall sit x 10-30 seconds
Finisher (5 minutes)Balance work (single-leg hold or supported)Gentle stretchingThe biggest shift<\/p>\n

The biggest shift \u2013 for both of us \u2013 has been confidence. For my mum, it\u2019s the confidence to move, stay active and continue doing the things she loves. For me, it\u2019s a reminder that fitness isn\u2019t about intensity, perfection or how hard you push. It\u2019s about showing up, staying consistent, and building strength that supports living life independently.<\/p>\n

Try<\/a> two free follow-along full-body classes with Janet.<\/p>\n

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