Twenty-five Alexandra locals aged over 65 meet weekly for a fun exercise class and they’re living proof of the ‘move it or lose it’ mantra. 

Instructor Teresa Noble said it was amazing that none in the group had fallen ill with covid-19 yet.

“They come for a combination of reasons, there is the social aspect and it might be rehab after a fall or injury… they’re as tough as they come and want to keep moving.

“We have a gossip at the start of class…. then it’s lots of functional balance and movements.

“There is a lovely bond within the group, when they’re finished they go out for a coffee.”

Roly Lethan is the oldest attendee and he turns 83 this year. He said he has been coming to the gym for the past 10 years.

Roly Lethan, a former NZ athletics representative, values his workouts for general fitness. PHOTO: Anna Robb

“I want to continue to be fit… I only gave up veteran athletics eight years ago.

“I’ve seen a lot of my contemporaries just sit on the sofa and die.”

The New Zealand hammer throw representative said he enjoys the laughs and bikes down to the class regularly.

Joan Hobson (79) said she feels like she’s gotten younger since she started working out. She initially started the class to improve her balance as she had experienced a couple of falls.

All smiles... Joan Hobson sports a twinkle in her eye while she's at the gym. PHOTO: Anna Robb

“It’s fun, I come for more strength and I’m walking straighter than ever before.”

Joan said she did exercise in her younger years, playing netball back when it was 9 players per team and also running regularly.

Jenny Patterson (77) began attending ten years ago as she had little to no balance and her doctor suggested the class. 

Jenny Patterson never exercised when she was younger but said the class was a great chance to meet new people. PHOTO: Anna Robb

The former sub editor said she wasn’t intimidated back then as she knew the class was for people who needed exercise in their lives as some had experienced strokes, falls or heart attacks. 

She still loves coming ten years later, has developed friendships, and important connections while seeing benefits in her physical and mental health. 

When asked about how she felt getting out and about during the covid-19 pandemic she said wasn’t fazed.

“If we locked ourselves away two and a half years ago. Two and a half years would have disappeared doing nothing. You’ve got to keep on living.”

In New Zealand the Live Stronger for Longer movement is a multi-sector, systemwide response to the threat that falls and fractures present to older people, and this class in Alexandra is part of that approved activity.

Live Stronger for Longer is delivered by ACC, Ministry of Health, local community health providers, the Health Quality and Safety Commission, home carers and community groups across the country. 

Live Stronger For Longer’s website has community group strength and balance classes listed across Central and many have affordable entrance rates of a few dollars.

Clyde, Cromwell, Ranfurly. Lawrence and Alexandra all have classes being run by different providers including Age Concern and gyms. 

Only exercise providers who meet nine clinical assessment criteria for community group strength and balance, or in-home strength and balance programmes, will be eligible to use the quality ‘tick’. 

The class The Central App visited is called 'Fit for Function' and is run at a gym which has been approved by Wellsouth as a part of Live Stronger for Longer.

From left: Peace out...Kay Hayes, Joan Hobson, Diane Dawson and Margaret Thompson (obscured at rear) enjoy a few laughs at the conclusion of their exercise class.

PHOTO: Anna Robb