- 93-year-old great-grandmother spends spare time in gym.
- Three Islanders in their 80s also regular gym-goers.
- Watch them in action in our video.
MANY Islanders who reach their 90s enjoy relaxing at home or taking the odd stroll along one of Jersey’s sandy beaches.
But great-grandmother Jean Powell, who will be 94 next month, spends her spare time on the treadmill at Springfield gym.
Mrs Powell, who lives in Trinity, said that she has always been active and enjoyed swimming and fitness classes in her younger years.
And even though she may be a little older than the average gym-goer, she still enjoys sessions on the running machine and exercise bike twice a week.
‘I enjoy it very much and the staff at Springfield are very friendly. I am just trying to keep active and be independent for as long as I can – it seems to be working for now,’ she said.
Mrs Powell began training at Springfield gym two years ago as part of the exercise referral scheme following three knee operations. And she has been renewing her membership ever since the programme finished.
The exercise referral scheme is a ten-week programme that gives Islanders the opportunity to try some physical activity to help improve their health and well-being.
‘I will carry on coming for as long as I can. You have to just never give up and keep trying,’ the 93-year-old said.
Mrs Powell is not the only senior member of the gym. The JEP spoke to three Islanders in their 80s who all enjoy keeping fit.
Barry Gale (82), Derek Harley (85) and John Pamby (89) all train at Fort Regent twice a week and enjoy the social aspect of exercise as well as the health benefits.
‘It makes me feel a lot better overall in myself.
‘The worst thing anybody can do is to sit and watch TV all day,’ said Mr Gale, who did not retire from his work as a brochure distributor until he was 79 because he wanted to keep active and have a ‘reason to get up in the morning’.
Sessions for the exercise referral programme take place throughout the week both Fort Regent, Springfield stadium and Les Quennevais sports centres.
Paola Mitchell, exercise referral tutor at Fort Regent, said:
‘The older clients are inspiring to the younger ones – even the staff are inspired to see them because you think, well if they can do it, so can I.’
