Aerobics and cake for 90 year old
A venerable fitness fanatic who once survived an attack by an angry 100kg seal celebrated his 90th birthday with a strenuous aerobics workout – and a slice of chocolate cake.
Retired motor mechanic Arthur Lester has been a regular member of New Plymouth’s 50s Forward fitness group, at the city’s Aquatic Centre, for the past 29 years.
‘‘I used to go along three times a week but now only manage the Friday class,’’ the sprightly widower said.
But it is not just strengthening the abs and quads which attracted Lester to classes. ‘‘The social side is what brings me along, more so than the fitness,’’ he said.
Lester is among more than 80 men and women who take part in hour-long, low impact aerobic, swimming and gym circuit workouts three times a week.
Members put on a party for Lester after class on Friday to celebrate his milestone.
A broken knee at primary school kept Lester away from most sports during his early years.
On retirement in 1988, after 45 years’ service with WR Phillips, he took up competitive race walking with the Taranaki Race Walking Club, clocking up 25 half marathons.
‘‘I never had many hobbies but I enjoyed walking.’’
Until a year ago the early morning routine would be a 10-12km walk before breakfast.
‘‘I still do most of the gym work. ‘‘I’m not quite as fit as I once was, my balance isn’t as good and my limbs are getting old.
‘‘But my doctor says I’ve got the heart rate of a teenager.’’
Five years ago on one of his early morning jaunts Lester was attacked by a large male fur seal lazily lying in the sun on the Coastal walkway.
‘‘I thought it was snoozing but then it snarled and took a lunge at me.
‘‘He moved faster than I could move to get out of the way.’’
The seal’s bite sunk deep into the elderly man’s leg and Lester spent the next six weeks recovering.
His recovery was credited to his high fitness level.
Now the target is to continue to go to the fitness classes for as long as he can. And that could be for another decade, he said.
‘‘I look forward to the future and looking on the bright side to when I get to 100.
‘‘Fingers crossed I will still be able to exercise.’’