Age no barrier to exercise for Eric

Eric Henry, regular at Cornubia Park Sports Centre, is no stranger to the pumping iron – he’s been a keen gym-goer for 20 years.  

Eric is also 91 years young. 

The first time he stepped into a gym was when he was 70 – and he says he hasn’t looked back. 

Used to an active lifestyle with a busy, high-ranking job in fashion, Eric and partner Gerard spent a year after retirement travelling around Australia, and, when they returned home, Eric wanted to ensure he stayed active. 

He loves his thrice-weekly sessions at Cornubia. 

‘I absolutely love it here, it is such a good gym and so friendly,’ he says. 

‘It is like a social club as well as a place to exercise. 

‘I come here 3 mornings a week at about 5.45 am and work out for an hour. I do 7 upper body exercises, and 2 exercises for my legs.’ 

Keen on resistance training, Eric gets his cardio by playing croquet 3 times a week. 

He says he thinks exercise has helped him bounce back from health issues, as well as filling him with endorphins for the day. 

‘Exercise is something I look forward to, I enjoy the environment here and you feel so good afterwards.  

‘I just want to encourage anyone who is thinking about it (getting active) to think about taking up exercise. I don’t know what I’d be like if I didn’t come here! 

‘A friend of mine has recently started at a gym near her too because she sees what it does for me and how active I am.’ 

But what if you are worried you are too old, too much of a beginner, or won’t fit in? Eric’s message is simple. 

‘You have got to get over all that,’ he says. 

‘The benefits outweigh all of it.’ 

Fellow Cornubia gym-goer Malcolm Kirkwood agrees with Eric, and says he is an inspiration – and proof that exercise benefits everybody. 

‘I think people can be worried about coming into a gym, but it is a friendly place and everyone is doing their own thing,’ he says. 

‘Exercise is important at any age but particularly resistance training as you get older – you are more likely to be able to prevent falls or recover more quickly. 

‘I think Eric is pretty amazing.’ 

Feeling inspired? Head here to find out more about Eric’s gym!