Staying active in their 90s

Sisters Athletic Club Manager Cindy Tintle knows that folks well into their 90s can benefit from regular exercise.

"At Sisters Athletic Club we currently have three members over the age of 90," Tintle says. "And we are extremely honored to have them as members and are proud of their accomplishments over the years. They have chosen a healthy and active lifestyle by committing to regular exercise."

Exercise helps keep aging bodies healthy by increasing blood flow to the brain, carrying oxygen and other nutrients. It also helps keep blood pressure and blood sugar at normal levels, lowering the risk for vascular dementia.

Tate Metcalf, owner and operator of Sisters Athletic Club, approached Tintle a couple of weeks ago with a novel idea: Metcalf decided to give all members over the age of 90 who have been a member with them for five or more years a free membership.

"We are as dedicated to their healthy lifestyle as they are and we want to make sure that they stay forever young and continue to come in to the club and inspire those around them," Tintle said.

The members who are receiving a free membership are: Peggy Benton, age 90, Spud Halsten, age 93 and John Turner, age 91.

Peggy Benton, who has been a member since 2003, explained to The Nugget why she decided to join the club at 77.

"I started back then because I thought it would be nice to exercise and get my body in shape at that point. I walked all the time but figured a little more exercise couldn't hurt and it would be good for me. I worked on machines including a lot of bicycling. I have always been part of the Q club, which stands for quality of life. I also love to swim and do water aerobics. My goal is just to keep active."

The Q club was created by one of the late fitness trainers, Jim Holcomb.

"He didn't want to label it as senior fitness because any age could join for a better quality of life," said Tintle. "They do spinning for half the class and then balance, strength and stretch work. It's a very social group and they meet twice a week."

John Turner jokes about the fact that when his wife told him to join Sisters Athletic Club, he did.

"I had been active my whole life, but when I retired, I just stopped," Turner said. "And so 14 years ago, when this club was on Hood Avenue, I went over there and joined and did some exercising on the machines. But my self-directed exercises weren't helping that much until about five years ago. Then I found a couple of trainers that were members, too, and they volunteered to help me train every morning. I come five days a week. One day they work on my shoulders then another day on the legs, etc. Four days a week we exercise according to their program and then I do yoga one day a week with yoga instructor Jeff Vancott.

"I continue to come here because I think I feel in better shape than 25 years ago. I can do things today that I couldn't do then. As a matter of fact when I first came I couldn't bend over to tie my shoes."

Spud Halsten has also been active his whole life.

"I lived and worked most of my life in Alaska. But when I moved down here to Sisters some years ago I really wanted to be more active again, so I joined the club," he said. "I enjoy using the bicycle machine most and the elliptical. I used to swim, so I am going to be doing water aerobics pretty soon. And I like to drink coffee and socialize with the men's club."

They also have some nice social time.

"We have the men's club or the 'round table' here every morning of mostly retired men of Sisters. They congregate here, drink coffee and try to solve most of the world's problems," Tintle said, smiling.