You Won’t Believe What This 65-Year-Old TV Star Does in Just 60 Minutes to Stay Fit!

Ruth Langsford, a well-known television presenter, has long been a dedicated practitioner of Pilates, utilizing the discipline to cultivate strength and stability in her body. At 65 years old, her commitment to fitness remains steadfast, as she trains regularly with her coach, Siobhan Lloyd. In an interview with Women’s Health, Lloyd revealed that they typically meet once or twice a week for sessions that last around 60 minutes. Even with a busy schedule, Langsford is determined to keep active, often squeezing in workouts of 15 to 20 minutes when necessary.

Langsford’s Pilates routine is diverse, incorporating a variety of equipment, including the reformer, chair, and ladder barrel. According to Lloyd, this mixture keeps sessions engaging and effective. Langsford even has a small reformer at home, enabling her to maintain her practice outside of their studio sessions. During their workouts, they utilize mat Pilates as well, often adapting exercises to suit Langsford’s surroundings.

Ruth Langsford’s 60-Minute Pilates Routine

The focus of their training has shifted over time. Currently, they are enhancing Langsford’s repertoire on the reformer, ensuring that if she can't meet with Lloyd, she can perform her routine independently at home. In addition to the reformer, she uses hand weights, a ball, and a Pilates ring gifted by her son, Jack, to diversify her workouts.

Their sessions begin with a foundational exercise known as the sit-stand, where Langsford crosses her legs while standing, performs a curtsey, and lowers her body towards the floor. Lloyd has also devised a method for Langsford to practice at home using stairs, where she attempts to sit on the bottom step and stand back up again, minimizing the risk of falling.

After this initial movement, Langsford progresses through ten classical Pilates mat work exercises in sequence. These include:

• The Hundred
• The Roll-Up
• The Roll-Over (substituted with short spine stretch on the reformer)
• Leg Circles
• Rolling Like a Ball
• The Stomach Series of Five, which comprises:
  • Single-Leg Pull
  • Double-Leg Pull
  • Single Straight Leg
  • Double Straight Leg
  • Crisscross (targeting the obliques)

Lloyd notes that their breaks for instruction and adjustments effectively fill the hour-long session, allowing for a thorough and engaging workout.

Post-Menopausal Training

Langsford’s training goals resonate with those of many women navigating post-menopause. Muscle strengthening is a priority, as it can bolster metabolism, while also addressing neck strength, which often becomes compromised due to prolonged periods of sitting and writing. Flexibility is another critical area of focus, especially considering Langsford’s busy schedule that demands high energy levels.

Despite her age, Lloyd describes Langsford as an impressive powerhouse—active, focused, and possessing excellent posture, likely a byproduct of her long television career. Lloyd has found Langsford to be a quick learner, making her easier to teach. In fact, their sessions are more demanding than what many might expect from a typical 65-year-old.

Among Langsford’s favored exercises is the short spine stretch on the reformer, which involves inverting the body with feet in straps while lying on her back. This exercise focuses on developing hamstring length, a crucial aspect of her routine. To address tension in her neck, they utilize a small, soft Pilates ball, enhancing recovery and mobility.

Each session concludes with the long stretch on the reformer, akin to a dynamic plank exercise. Lloyd is working with Langsford to build up to a floor press-up, a comprehensive movement that engages the arms, shoulders, and back.

Interestingly, Langsford’s current regimen is a stark contrast to when she first began training with Lloyd. Initially, her focus was on postnatal Pilates, where the emphasis was on rebuilding abdominal strength and realigning the pelvis. At that point, the hormonal influences of higher estrogen levels led to different training needs, requiring a focus on core and hip stability rather than the more demanding exercises introduced in her post-menopausal training.

As Langsford continues her Pilates journey, her dedication serves as an inspiring example for those looking to maintain their fitness and well-being at any stage of life. Her commitment to regular training highlights the importance of adaptation in exercise routines to meet individual needs, particularly as one ages.