Cyndy Sax, 70, center, joins about two dozen other 60- to 85-year-old women for a senior aerobics class at Chancellor’s gym. The class is similar to other aerobics classes, but the seniors move to a slightly slower beat.

Story and photo by Dave Schafer

As she sat awaiting takeoff, her carryon luggage crowding her legs, Meg Lonero saw a woman at least 10 years older heave a carryon case into the overhead bin with one hand.

Then in her mid 60s, Lonero could no longer lift her carryon into the overhead compartment with two hands.

And not just her strength was fading. She had difficulty climbing stairs and getting out of the sand traps that claimed her golf balls.

“You’re getting old,” she told herself. Lonero, who retired as manager of Hobby airport in 2005, started thinking about the things she likes to do – windsurfing, skiing, bike riding – and wondered if her stiff, weakened body would allow her to do them again.

As people get older, they lose strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. But The National Institute on Aging says that’s not necessarily a result of aging. Most likely, it’s because of inactivity.

As little as 30 minutes of exercise a day can help regain some of what’s lost, as well as improve chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis.

Studies have shown seniors who exercise three or more times per week are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Physical and memory exercises, a healthy diet and stress reduction will improve memory in older adults.

Yet, only 30 percent of Americans over 65 exercise on a regular basis, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Lack of physical activity combined with eating unhealthy foods is the second greatest underlying cause of death in the United States, according to the NIA.

But it’s never too late to start exercising, experts say.

Tailored aerobics
Lonero, 67, discovered the older woman maintained her strength working on her farm.

“Do I have to get a farm to stay strong?” Lonero asked herself.

No. There’s plenty retirees can do to stay in shape.

Cyndy Sax, 70, lifted weights three or four times a week for nearly two decades. After she retired from the Human Resources Department, where she supervised the communications division, she added yoga, Pilates and senior aerobics to her regimen.

Sax exercises so she can enjoy an active life and can ride horses and play hopscotch with her grandchildren.

“I have muscles now,” Sax said. “And I enjoy a new sense of serenity and peace.”

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