When our family moved to Oregon from Southern California in 1974 for my husband’s new job, I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. But there was one problem: There wasn’t enough sunshine or swimming pools — both of which I had enjoyed in California.
When the community college where I taught offered free memberships at a new gym, I quickly signed up. I expected exercise, but I got so much more.
Over 30 years later, I’m 81, and still going to the gym every other day. It’s still an important part of my health routine.
I found that the gym isn’t just for young people
The weight room is full of young people lifting weights, and they pound their feet on treadmills like the start of the Kentucky Derby.
But the gym is also filled with older people. There’s the 87-year-old woman who runs up and down the stairs “because it feels good,” while her 91-year-old husband maintains a steady pace on the treadmill.
As a swimmer, I’ve met several people around my age, welcoming each other into the pool.
With a somewhat older crowd, I am pleasantly surprised at how disabilities and imperfections are of no consequence in the pool. Surgery scars, including mastectomies and even amputations, are not worthy of the slightest stare or question. The miracle of being in the water is that handicaps and age disappear.
Even those who enter the pool in a lift achieve equality once they are buoyant. I’ve witnessed physical challenges that make me realize how insignificant my own are.
I was surprised to find deep friendships at the gym
When I first came to the gym to exercise, I didn’t expect to make friends — acquaintances, yes, but not friendships that mattered.
But then I met Maria, an 80-year-old Austrian with an infectious laugh. I heard her in the locker room as she shared a recipe for Wiener Schnitzel with someone. I had seen her in the pool, swimming with her head held high to keep her beautifully coiffed hair dry. I smiled and said goodbye as I left. The next day, I swam alongside her. I switched to a slow breaststroke so I could keep my head out and hear her story — and what a story it was.
A well-to-do Austrian, married to a doctor, she, her husband, and three children were reduced to refugee status under the Russian occupation at the end of World War II. In 1957, they were able to emigrate to the US. Because of their belief in the American Dream, they thrived. Maria often commented on their good fortune; she also taught me European history. She taught me a little German and showed me that laughter is the best antidote for any problem.
Soon, our casual acquaintance became a dear friendship that lasted until her death at 103 in 2022. We spent over 20 years together at the gym, four days a week. I made other friends as well. All of us loved and admired Maria.
I believe moving my body and socializing are keeping me young
Going to the gym multiple times a week has kept me more than young; it’s kept me moving into my 80s.
I have fairly severe scoliosis, and it hurts. Without swimming and core strengthening at the gym, I don’t want to think about how much worse it would be.
Over the years, I’ve learned that going to the gym is the best thing I can do for myself.
I am stronger than yesterday — stronger in my body, stronger in friendships, and stronger in optimism.
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