For the last month I’ve been working out with a personal trainer once a week. PT has helped me put a little variety into my daily gym routines and has shown me more safe and beneficial ways to train my body, as I grow older.

The trainer I chose is just few years younger than me, so I knew she could better relate to my workout needs than a young trainer. I recently did a Q&A with her. Here’s what she had to say.

General

How old are you? 66 How tall? Five feet seven inches. How much do you weigh? 125 pounds, but my normal weight would be 140.

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were? 38.

What is your educational and workout background? I was born in Moline IL and was always an athlete. Both my parents were athletic. I graduated from Northern Illinois University with BS in physical education and taught physical education for 14 years. Early on I played tennis and ran. Now I lift weights in the gym as much and as heavy as I can – safely. Pull-ups are my favorite. I also teach classes three days a week. I do something every day. We have to move everyday or we’re not happy. I like to loosen it up and keep it greased.

What do you eat? I eat peanut butter every day – a peanut butter sandwich for breakfast or half of breakfast burrito with beans and then I eat the other half later in the day. For lunch I eat a scoop of tuna on lettuce and arugula, and every night I eat a veggie burrito from Trader Joes on a bed of spinach with chopped red bell peppers, snap pees, avocado, cottage cheese, and salsa. I also drink a half glass of wine and eat some good chocolate every night. I don’t eat ice cream, butter or cheese – except cottage cheese.

Training Experience

How long have you worked as a trainer and fitness instructor? Almost 40 years.

What classes do you teach? Cardio pump where we lift weights to music. I don’t include jumping and too many artifacts because too much stuff makes people lose their posture. My class is for ages 18 to 80 and is safe for anyone. I offer options for folks depending on what they can do and encourage people to make their own decisions about what to do in class.

How many people in your classes are over 60? At least 25-30 per cent – some have been taking my class for over 25 years. We’ve grown old together.

How many people do you train who are over 60? Half of my clients are over 60. That’s the age group that stays. It becomes part of their life. It feels good for them to go someplace where someone is glad to see them.

Why do you think you’re so successful as a trainer? People stay with me. I have a commitment to be here. It’s all about the client for me. I’m here for them 38 to 40 hours every week.

What signs of decline to you see in older people at the gym? People get angry if they can’t function like they used to. Younger trainers aren’t aware of that. Older people also run the risk of bumping into things. I feel it is important to not leave gym equipment lying around.

What is your best advice to someone who is over 60 to get and stay fit? Look at your frame. Look in the mirror. Also slow it down and let go while on the treadmill. It’s about balance. Holding on while walking doesn’t do any good.

Is it ever too late to start an exercise program? No. You’re proof of that. You’re learning some new moves for your exercise program right now. I’m showing you that as we get older we should work on the gluts the most. It will keep your back healthy and pain free.

Do you think there is a point in one’s life when he/she should stop exercising? No. I think we should work whatever works. Work our upper body if our legs don’t work. People have to keep moving. We have to workout our brains.

Which parts of the body should older people be careful not to over strain when working out? Knees, shoulders, back, neck – we have no cartilage in our knees. We can always lift weights, do yoga, and swim.

Does being fit after a certain age keep a woman feeling sexy and good about herself? Yes. Women wouldn’t have trouble finding men if they are fit. It gives a woman confidence in herself and strength to save herself. A woman wouldn’t get attacked walking down a dark street if she walks with confidence.

Do you know if there is a link between fitness and mental health in the older age group (e.g., toward warding off Alzheimer’s, etc.)? Absolutely. The brain needs oxygen and moving provides oxygen.

How is the fitness business different now from the way it was when you first started? The personal part is the same. People still want the same things. But now the equipment is different. It’s more institutionalized. And people don’t talk to each other. They watch TV or listen to their music. So technology has changed the gym atmosphere.

What issues do you see at the gym? We’re not doing enough for our older people. We need yoga for seniors. We need more senior trainers because only a few know how to work with seniors. Also, we need to be nicer to each other. Smile, walk slower, make this a friendlier place.

What is your favorite thing about your job? The people. I’ve met some really, really nice people.

Madeline is the author of Leaving the Hall Light On: A Mother’s Memoir of Living with Her Son’s Bipolar Disorder and Surviving His Suicide (Dream of Things) and Blue-Collar Women: Trailblazing Women Take on Men-Only Jobs (New Horizon Press). She co-edits The Great American Poetry Show anthology series and wrote the poetry for The Emerging Goddessphotography book. See more at http://www.MadelineSharples.com