If you thought that the gym was only the
domain of youngsters either wanting to be
fit or maintaining their ripped physiques,
think again. The gym caters to a wider
age group, including people in their
mid-70s, a group the numbers of which
are gradually increasing. The gyms in Goa
are now frequented by senior men and
women who want to stay fit and healthy
and are trying to get over their various
ailments.
Sunil Karmalkar is one personal trainer
who pays utmost attention to his clients at
the gym. The motivation he provides and
the different routines he chalks out keep
their spirits high and let them challenge
themselves. “There are many clients who
join the gym for reasons other than being
fit. Some clients have body pains which
they want to overcome and with the right
exercises, their pain can ease over time. I
have many clients who are above 60 years
of age, the oldest of the lot being 74,” says
Sunil.
Merlyn Velho from Panjim enjoyed
walking for an hour every day no matter
what the weather. Her passion led her
to join the gym but unhappy with the
progress, she gave it up after four months
and started exercising at home on her
own. “I live just across a garden and I used
to walk every day; I followed the routine
despite the rains. When I joined
the gym, I found the exercises very
boring. But while exercising at home
using a stretch band, I injured my
shoulder. My son suggested that I
start developing my muscles and
introduced me to Sunil (Karmalkar).
I enjoy the wearying routine as he
has different sets for different days.
He challenges me and I like being
challenged. It is quite tiring and
with cardio exercises the stamina is
tested. I enjoy the gym because it is
important to have someone guiding
you and paying attention so that you
don’t hurt yourself,” says Merlyn.
Norbert D’Souza is a name
synonymous with health and fitness. Over
the years, he has seen many senior citizens
join the gym. “Usually their exercise
requires a lot of balance, flexibility and
cardio activity. They are not given any
heavy lifting. When they join the gym, I
ask them to fill a form which helps plan
a program for them. In that form, they
have to mention if they have any medical
concerns and if it is major, we ask them to
get a fitness certificate from their doctor,”
says Norbert.
He further explains what exercises
work well: “Due to the muscle stiffness, we
give them flexibility exercises. Inflexibility
in the hamstring causes back problems
or lumbar issues. Cardio exercises help to
keep their heart healthy and it is important
to build their strength, which is done by
training on the machine. this helps in
building the limb muscle tissue. Over the
last 4-5 years, the number of senior citizen
members have increased. Earlier maybe
2-3 clients would train at the gym but now
there are 10-15 clients, making up nearly
5 per cent of our clientele. Each client
is prescribed 45 minutes to one hour of
exercise with personal supervision.”
Oswaldo Velho is 64 years old and has
been visiting the gym since November
last year. His one-hour training has altered
his opinion about fitness and he enjoys
his twice-a-week workout at the gym.
“My son has been going to the gym for
the past two years and he advised me
that walking for an hour is not enough
and I require muscle strengthening. I do
cardio and weights and exercise in the
morning. I enjoy the whole workout as
there are different routines to be followed.
I have a problem with blood pressure
and hypersensitivity but things are under
control after training at the gym. I follow
my normal diet which excludes rice, sugar
and fried food,” says Oswaldo about his
healthy life post retirement.
