“The fear that people have when they go to the gym at my age is that they will meet younger instructors and feel out of place.”
“If I can do it, anyone can,” he said. “The way I look at it, the body was made to move. If it’s your car and you leave it there, everything stops moving. That’s why I go to the gym and people The fact that we can encourage people to move their bodies is great. It has huge benefits.”
Jim was involved with Greystones Football Club for 19 years and was always active, but when he retired he had no plans in place to maintain some level of fitness and was apprehensive about the prospect of living on the sofa. He said he realized what he was facing. His son Adam, who owns Ignite Fitness in Delgany, suggested he go to the gym to take classes, and he happily enrolled in five or six classes a week.
He was seen as a role model for people a little older to approach for advice. That’s when the idea of becoming a fitness instructor and helping people of a particular generation was born.
“We found this to be a huge benefit,” Jim said. “The fear people have when going to the gym at my age is that they’ll meet younger instructors and feel out of place. Once you get over the stigma of being old, it’s a great time to get out of bed. That’s because bed is an outlet, allows you to meet other people and have fun. It also has health benefits: you’ll have higher energy levels, sleep better, and eat better.”
Jim said he found the discipline of studying and training that took him a year to earn his qualification an extremely valuable experience. During the course, he took part in a four-hour spinathon at the family gym as a charity act, and took the plunge to qualify for the National Fitness Games to be held at UCD in April 2023.
The game follows a rigorous formula that showcases all levels of fitness and includes tests of power, endurance, strength, and speed. The game caters to a variety of abilities and fitness levels, from beginner, intermediate to elite. Jim said this was one of the highlights of his fitness journey, given that he and his team members were able to add a new category, albeit unofficially.
“We called ourselves The Bandits, but the four of us were 220 years old,” he said after competing in a grueling test of fitness and stamina with other younger members of the gym. Jim said.
With Jim’s certification, he can now teach his own classes. The class will be held at Delgany’s venue, and there’s some words of reassurance for those who have never stepped inside a gym’s doors before. “I aim to take about three classes a week to cater to people my age,” he said.
“But it’s great to see older people come to class. They’ll start off with a lighter mind. Older people might be worried that if they come to the gym they’re going to meet a younger coach. But for me, sitting on the floor means starting with light to moderate training. It’s then up to each individual to reach the level they want. At this age, I If I can do it, I don’t see why anyone else can’t.”
Jim also points out additional benefits of going to the gym for people who are retired and can only see a yawning gap in the days ahead.
“You’re meeting people and having a good time. Every day is different, it’s never the same, and there’s always something new happening. There are great benefits to improving your fitness and mobility. Group Because it’s a class, you can meet up with friends, go for coffee after class, or take a walk.”
Adam explained that older people really need and benefit from strength training, as putting a little force into their muscles makes movement and mobility much easier.
“It’s also very important to keep relaxing and stretching, so our main goal is to try to create an environment where seniors can live at their own pace in retirement.” he added.
For those who are still on the fence because of their age, Jim has formed a team called “The Bandits” and actively trains at the Delgany Center to provide positive motivation. Contact: [email protected]