A 92-YEAR-OLD is calling on older Silhillians to get active.
As part of Everyone Active’s Age is Just a Number campaign Alan Martin has spoken about his fitness journey.
Now in its fourth year, the campaign celebrates the senior demographic by showcasing their fitness stories and proving what can be achieved by staying active into later life.
It launched on Saturday, October 5 – the same weekend as Silver Sunday, the national day for older people – and runs until November 17.
Alan, from Marston Green retired 30 years ago and has attended Better Breathers sessions at North Solihull Sports Centre every week for five years.
The specialist sessions are designed to help people manage breathing conditions and are suitable for those with lung conditions such as lung disease, severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – which is caused by damage to the airways or other parts of the lung.
Alan said: “I’ve had asthma since the age of 23 and now have COPD.
“It slows you down and there are times when I have no energy, and because it’s difficult to breathe you don’t move very fast.
“I exercise once or twice a week just so that I can keep breathing.
“In the Better Breathers class we do general exercises, walk a bit, use arm weights, stand up and sit down, and do vertical upright press ups.”
However, Better Breathers sessions not only help members physically, but also offer those attending a way to socialise and beat loneliness.
As well as attending classes at Everyone Active Alan is also a member of a horticultural society volunteers for the Midlands Air Ambulance with his wife.
Alan said: “A lot of people who go to the class do have a breathing problem, but it’s for the social side of it as well. It’s a case of meeting other people.
“When you get above 70, one of the things you find is that more and more people are single. I’m very lucky as I have a very energetic wife. For some people, the classes are possibly the only outside contact they have.
“The thing is, is to join things, even if you don’t take a very active part. At least you meet people. I think that is very important. It’s an attitude of mind.”
