At 95-years-old, Slack Creek’s John Hunt is as fit as a fiddle – completing four fitness classes every week without fail.
We met Mr Hunt – who turns ninety-six this year – at his Monday chair exercise class that he does twice a week at PCYC Logan. He also does a tai chi class and a balance class elsewhere.
Before coming to Australia in the 70s, Mr Hunt was a lighthouse keeper in New Zealand and led a very active lifestyle.
“After I retired, I was still very active in the garden and at home, but I found I wasn’t getting out enough,” he said.
“I love plants, but they don’t talk back.”
“Getting out into a class environment is totally different, it gets me out of the house and I meet some lovely people.”
Funded by Logan City Council’s active and healthy program, the chair exercise class is designed to help people – such as the elderly or injured – with everyday activities.
Mr Hunt said at first he found the chair class a little bit difficult, but now he loves it.
“It’s no good sitting there and thinking about it, you just go to get up and do it,” he said.
“It’s not a competition with anyone and you don’t have to keep up with the people next to you, you just go at your own pace and take it easy.”
“My favourite part of the class is when the lights come on and we get to go home.”
Class instructor, Renata Hammond said Mr Hunt was an amazing member of the community.
“John is a very special part of our class, he is a regular and has been with us for three years,” she said.
“He is an inspiration to many and shows just want you can do if you put your mind to it and stop questioning whether you should do something or not.”
Mrs Hammond said the class involved a mix of seated exercises.
“We do a little bit of cardio, strength, flexibility and balance and use props where we can like pool noodles and bands, but it’s mainly all body weight,” she said.
“It keeps us fit for the everyday, so you can cope well with a range of daily activities – dressing yourself, brushing your hair, bending and picking up things and its good for people with injuries.”
It’s worked for John Hunt.
The chair exercise class runs at 10.30am every Monday and Wednesday at PCYC Logan and it’s $5.
For more information contact Renata on 0400 701 676 or revasi@hotmail.com
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