You’re never too old to get fit

A group of residents from The Bridges, on Buxton Road in Macclesfield, have started 2020 with a focus on fitness to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

The fitness enthusiasts, mostly in their 70s and 80s, have been inspired by recent studies highlighting the benefits of regular physical activity, even if you don’t start exercising until your senior years.

Mrs Marjorie Bex, aged 80, said: “It’s never too late to get fit. If anything, it’s more important than ever to build some exercise into your regular routine in later life. It’s really good for your physical health and it’s also good for your brain.”

According to the latest report from the Office for National Statistics, 70 is the new 65. Our life expectancy has vastly increased over the years, thanks to improvements in healthcare and living conditions and we’re now more likely to be fit and healthy into our mid 80s and beyond.

A recent Norwegian study found that physical activity is the number one contributor to longevity, adding extra years to your life, even if you don’t start exercising until your senior years.

Alexandra Johnson, Sales and Marketing Director for Adlington Retirement Living said: “A number of our homeowners expressed an interest in some sort of regular fitness classes, so we invited PhysioFit to run classes at The Bridges. Physiofit classes are run by a trained later life specialist to ensure the classes are safe, progressive and appropriate for the group. They have been really popular, with more than 20 regular participants, so we’re pleased to extend them.”