Let’s face it, we all make excuses when we don’t want to do something: “Sorry, I can’t hang out with you tomorrow. I’m too busy” when you actually just want to stay home, “My car broke down. I won’t be able to go to work today” when you’re merely hoping for an extra day off, and “I’ll get to it later. I just need some time to rest” when you’re really just procrastinating. Have you used one of those excuses before?
Many of us also make excuses when it comes to staying physically fit. Some people say they’re too old. Others say they don’t have time. Then there’s those of us who use the classic, “I’m too tired.” But a 91-year-old man by the named of Lloyd Black, who wears denim overalls when he exercises at the gym, is encouraging even the most sedentary folks to get fit!
Black first joined Anytime Fitness gym in Semmes, Alabama approximately a year ago. Although he’s a relatively new gym member, he’s already caught many people’s attention.
“Mr. Black became a part of our Anytime family 1 year ago and we have seen nothing but motivation and inspiration from him since he started,” said the gym on Facebook as they named him Member of the Month. “He says he is 91 years young and brags about how much his workout routine has helped him in his daily routines.”
According to Gym Manager Ashley Seaman, when Black first joined the gym, he struggled to stay on the treadmill more than 10 minutes at a time. These days, he can powerwalk a half hour before moving onto the rest of his workouts. And now, he’s assisting other gym members!
“He’s just a friendly soul. It’s cute because he will go to the other silver sneakers—the elderly members—and he’ll show them how to use the machines,” Seaman said.
But like many people, Black didn’t always regularly work out, that is, until he realized that doing household chores was becoming physically more difficult for him due to loss of muscle tone and random aches. The 91-year-old went from rarely exercising to making it a part of his daily routine.
“He says that, even before his feet hit the floor, he will do his bicycle (exercises) in the bed and it helps them to get up and do things in the morning. [He shows] that age is just a number, it doesn’t mean you can’t get into the gym, and it’s never too late.”
It’s true: age is just a number. You’re never too young or too old to start exercising. And really, you don’t need a specific reason like Black to start exercising. Simply wanting to be healthy is a good enough reason.
“Seeing someone like him inspires others to keep it up and incorporate fitness into their life. Seeing him in the gym 3 times a week working out in his overalls brightens our day and we hope to have him many more years to come!” the gym continued.
If you’d like to learn more about Black, check out the video below.
