91-years-old and fit as ever
Senior citizens show us that fitness is fun and achievable.
The gym is not often the place one would find 91-year-old residents.
Yet five mornings a week, sprightly nonagenarians Minda van Rooyen and Margaret Hill lace up their trainers and spend over an hour working out.
Their example is an inspiration to personal trainer Shane Cordier.
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Taking Minda and Margaret through their paces, he has firm belief that exercise could stem the onset of dementia in the elderly.
“I believe it helps to not sit around waiting for the end.”
Minda and Margaret agree – they hope to motivate others of a similar age to get active instead of waiting for death to claim them.
Fitness and good health are simply benefits of the whole exercise.
Although the nonagenarians’ journey with gymming began in August 2018, they have long been adherents to a life of activity.
“I played cricket and tennis for Lancashire in England,” says Margaret. “My husband got a job offer and we came to South Africa 48 years ago. I’ve been a resident of Newcastle since 1979.”
Minda is a born and bred Newcastillian who taught children for 42 years.
Margaret and Minda have been friends for many decades and since 2000, both reside in the same housing complex.
They enjoy encouraging each other in many aspects of life.
“We used to do the Memel Walk and marathons like the Comrades [Marathon]. We have many medals in our display cases.”
After their previous gym closed its doors more than a year ago, Minda and Margaret went on regular walks to keep fit.
They still walk to and from gym each morning they train.
“We also make our own health rusks, which we enjoy with coffee after our training.”
Minda and Margaret have inspired Shane to such an extent, he hopes to launch a special gym class focusing on health and fitness for pensioners.
He plans to run these classes himself.
“The classes would focus on movement and cardiovascular workouts.”
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