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If anyone personifies the phrase “you’re never too old to …”, it is Grace McFarlane of Little Manly.
At the age of 92 she is the oldest member of the Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre’s Never2Old programme and instructor Aviv Jones says she marvels as she watches “amazing Grace”, as she calls her, workout.
“She gives anything a go,” Aviv says. “I’ve had people many years younger than Grace say they are “too old” to do a particular exercise but Grace is an example of the attitude that says there’s always a way, at any age.”
Grace started attending Never2Old classes eight years ago. She says she has always enjoyed keeping fit. When she worked in a sedentary office job, golf and swimming were her favourite forms of recreation. She is a former swimming instructor.
She says she sees a negative attitude to exercise among some of her peers.
“You can’t sit down all day and knit,” Grace says. “As you get older everyone has got a health issue or condition but there’s some form of appropriate exercise for everyone.”
Arthritis in the knees is an issue from time to time for Grace but she says the Leisure Centre’s course designed specifically for people with arthritis helped by getting her on a bike. She also swims regularly.
Along with the fitness benefits, the camaraderie is something that keeps Grace coming to the gym.
“She is fitter and stronger than people 20 years younger,” Aviv says. “And a lot of that is down to a positive attitude.”
