Barry Gale (82) trained at the Active gym at Fort Regent as part of an exercise referral scheme – a ten-week programme which gives Islanders the opportunity to try some physical activity.
When the programme came to an end, Mr Gale was asked to pay the senior citizen rate of £30 per month if he wanted to continue to go to the gym,
However, he believes that as there are so few people going to the gym who are over the age of 80, the States should be able to provide free access or a further reduced fee.
Until last year, some Islanders who were over the age of 80 were able to access to the gym for free. However, following a review, Active decided to introduce a senior citizen membership charge.
Mr Gale has written to Education, Sport and Culture Minister Rod Bryans, asking him to reinstate free gym sessions or reduced fees for those aged over 80 who have a low income.
‘Helping the elderly to stay fit and active keeps them out of hospital, saving the States money,’ he said.
‘People over the age of 80 who use the gym equipment do so to keep healthy and mobile. Building up strength to be successful at a chosen sport or wanting to have a body that looks good on the beach is not their ambition. They left that all behind years ago.’
Steve Pallett, Assistant Education Minister with special responsibility for sport, said that it would not be financially viable to give free gym memberships to a certain group of people.
‘You have to be fair to everyone,’ he said. ‘And saying to the over-80s that they can go to the gym for free is likely to swamp our gyms and we would need more staff.
‘It is great that they are keeping themselves fit and healthy, but I think we have got it about right as it is. It is not an excessive charge. We have to be realistic with the current market. We already do a good deal for people of retirement age.’
Mr Gale has also written to the head of Fort Regent Leisure Centre stating that he would like to see people over the age of 80 encouraged to go to the gym to maintain their health, rather than have them worrying about the cost.
