Never too old...

Star News Group

HUME’s seniors are proving they are still fighting fit.

“We’re very energetic people and we put the young ones to shame,” University of the Third Age social secretary Win Bell said.

At a U3A conference held last week, Hume members put on their gym gear to perform chair aerobics in front of the Hume City Council.

“It’s exercises either done sitting at the chair, either side or at the back of the chair,” Ms Bell said.

“There are at least 100 movements you can do with chair aerobics. It’s a very energetic exercise class.”

Ms Bell, 72, said ages in the class ranged from 50 to 81.

Hand weights and tactile balls are incorporated into the exercises, which participants can perform at their own pace.

“In the class you’re always told, ‘You know your own body so you only do what you can do’,” Ms Bell said.

“One of our greatest achievements – we had a lady come three years ago in a wheelchair. Within two years it went from a wheelchair to a walking frame, now to a walking stick. She’s a wonder. We think she was about 83 or 84 – she would never tell us her age,” she said.

But Ms Bell said the classes weren’t just about fitness – everyone had a lot of fun, laughing and talking.

“There is no excuse for people being couch potatoes these days. There are so many things available to them,” she said.