Question #1 In my trade we have a book system, which after being laid off you wait on til your number comes up and you go back to work. Sometimes the wait can be a few days. After the recent financial "depression" we went thru the wait was 21 months to 36 months.

Question#2 Doing physical labor for 8 hrs a day we use muscles that are not necessarily used in everyday life, along with flexibility and balance. If you aren't using those physical attributes for months at a time while laid off you can deteriorate rapidly.

I don ;t see where you NEED a personal trainer, just some advice, perhaps....

I go to the Y 4-6 times a week. I do cardio for 25-50 minutes.. depending.
'Then machines. for 30 minutes-- depending.... And I swim sometimes--

Also good are yoga, tai chi,

then, if you are interested in something else--- aikido(although a bit rough on the knees, to which I can attest), tae kwon do,gung fu

for all of those I suggest you need a very good teacher... otherwise it can become... something else....

Also run stairs? That’s good for balance and keeping strong.
Go do some sprints?

That’s what I do. You can also do CrossFit though it can get expensive.

the working construction all day and being way too tired to do any additional meaningfull exercise at the end of it. By meaningful, I mean aerobic, good for the heart stuff. I use most of my muscles climbing staging, hammering, grinding, drilling, etc, but seldom actually 'get out of breath' type aerobic heart workout, that I know I need.

So, my son the personal trainer says get up and do aerobics BEFORE work: run, jog, calisthenics, HIIT, or whatever. But, I say, I have to start work early. He says "Dad, I have clients that come to the gym by 6 A.M. for 30-40 minutes and THEN do heart surgery all day. Suck it up"

There went that excuse.

Anyway, the key seems to be doing anything aerobic, especially HIIT (high intensity intervals) What we used to call "wind sprints" to get more benefit in a shorter time.

And, as far as staying in shape during lay off time, probably just do some "circuit training" where you move from one type of exercise, (or machine if you're at a gym) to another...the so-called "full body" calisthenics. You could go to a gym, or get a personal trainer to get started, or even check out TONS of options on YouTube.

Good luck! Your heart, and your doctor, will thank you!

and retired almost 18 years ago from a super physical job. Started running a year ago. Look forward to that runners high every other day. Started slow and short. Now long, 4 to 6 miles. Never a runner before. I love it and feel great. Weight is down, blood pressure is the best I’ve ever had. Hope to run a 5K on my 70th Birth day on thanksgiving. Started out with 17-18 minute miles and just under 10 minutes now. Seems to help my balance too. Works for me. 😀

He says find what you like for aerobics (he rides bicycles off road), could be running/jogging/hiking, swimming, volleyball, etc. For balance and flexibility he swears by yoga. He goes regularly three times a week (early evening classes), or more if he’s feeling especially sore or tired.

This is a very interesting question, Tink41. All the best to you.

Appreciate the responses and I've committed myself to trying some of these. I'm a fan of water aerobics, and pilates I've tried kettle bell but that might kill me just starting out again. The bad part is we start work at 6am, I leave by 445 am so early morning is out.