Richard Simmons might call it
”
Sweatin’ with the Oldies.
”
Richard Simmons might call it “Sweatin’ with the Oldies.”
Over the past year, more and more local seniors have been making it a priority to get in shape, according to World Gym owner and personal trainer Adrian Valles.
Valles has seen more members in their 60s, 70s and even 80s working out than ever before – showing an increase from 10 senior members last year to 30 this year, he said.
“I think the older generation has seen what fitness does,” Valles said. “It wasn’t important in that generation… but a few started coming in and they told their friends and it just snowballed.”
Hollister resident Reo Carr Sr., 84, began working out about six weeks ago after a lack in physical strength prohibited him from enjoying a duck hunting trip with his nephew, he said.
“He had to help me out of the duck pond and I didn’t like that too much,” Carr said. “I decided I had to do something about it.”
Carr had been active his entire life – running and playing sports in his prime. A laminectomy (a surgical procedure to alleviate pain and pressure on the spinal cord) 14 years ago put a stop to anything overtly physical.
“You either use it or lose it,” he said.
After six weeks of hitting the weights for about an hour, three times a week, Carr’s overall health has dramatically improved.
“When he first came in he could barely move his knees,” Valles said. “Now he’s doing so many machines – it’s amazing what he can do now.”
Other than feeling physically stronger, Carr has increased energy and has noticed an improvement in his cognitive abilities as well, he said.
“I’ve gotten responses from people,” he said. “You get older and you’re bound to (forget things) now and then, but I’m probably not as bad as a lot of people my age.”
Many seniors are finding exercise helps with arthritis, stiffness and heart problems, said Pauline Valdivia, executive director of Jovenes De Antano, a local nonprofit senior center.
The center promotes staying active by hosting low-impact aerobic classes that are always full and encouraging other types of physical activity, she said.
“Doctors are telling them they need to be active,” Valdivia said. “It keeps them young, and it keeps them mobile longer.”
More seniors have been frequenting Designing Women Health and Fitness too, with about a third of its members over the age of 60, said personal trainer Cindy Baumgartner.
An increase in health-related coverage in the media and a societal push to get in shape has brought out a generation that didn’t consider exercise important until now, she said.
“Women will come in and tell their friends, so word of mouth helps too,” she said. “When they’re happy, they like to share.”
Doctors championing the benefits of exercise to their older patients has also helped foster the trend, Baumgartner said.
Instead of simply prescribing medication for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, they are advising them to eat better and exercise, she said.
Hollister resident Cliff Ray, 74, has spent the last four years at the gym, two hours a day, five days a week.
“I had open heart surgery and I had never done anything physical in my life,” he said. “I figured if I wanted to live a few more years I needed to do something.”
After driving past World Gym one day, he decided exercising was about as good as anything, he said.
After four years, his routine, which he formulated over the years with help from the “young fellas” who frequented the weight room, has increased in weight and repetitions.
Besides losing about 25 pounds, gaining muscle and feeling healthier overall, exercising has become a social event for Ray and is something he’ll do until the day he dies, he said.
“I guess it’s like dope,” he said. “You get started and it’s hard to quit. If I stay away, I miss it.”
Seniors planning on beginning an exercise regime should consult their doctor before attempting to do so, Valles said.
Once they get medical clearance, giving a detailed health history to a personal trainer or health professional is imperative so their exercise routine helps them instead of hurting them, he said.
“We’ll show them the most efficient way to work (out),” he said. “Because it all depends on your body.”
