Picture this.
You’re standing at the top of a ladder inside a skylight when it suddenly slips backwards.
There’s nowhere to jump.
No time to think.
So, you ride it down like a surfboard and do a press-up as you hit the ground.
Most people would expect a serious injury. Instead, Mary walked away with little more than a sore ankle.
“I felt superhuman,” she laughs. Mary was 65 at the time.
Now, approaching her 70th birthday, Mary looks back on that moment as a reminder of why strength training matters for seniors.
“It’s insurance for a strong, healthy, active life,” she says.
For more than ten years, Mary has been making the trip from Hillsborough to Body Torque Gym in Newmarket to strength train. What started as a commitment to staying fit has become one of the most important investments she has made in her future health and independence.
Like many women as they age, Mary’s biggest health challenge has been bone density, but she recently received some remarkable news.
Mary’s latest scan showed a significant improvement in her spine since 2024. The results were so unexpected that the clinician reviewing the scan initially questioned whether there had been an error.
“The graph was right off the charts,” Mary says.
The improvement has been attributed to a combination of medication and consistent strength training using progressively heavier weights.
Mary’s hip readings have also improved, returning to levels last seen in 2017.
While Mary knows there is still work to do, these results have reinforced her belief that ageing does not have to mean becoming weaker.
“My goal is to improve it even further so I can march into old age fit, robust and independent,” Mary says.
It’s a philosophy we share at Body Torque. Our Strong for Life 60+ helps people build the strength, balance and confidence needed to remain active, independent and capable for years to come.
One of the things Mary values most about Body Torque is the people.
“There’s an incredible community spirit. It’s a welcoming space where we support each other, laugh, and train hard. The combination of expert coaching, a supportive environment and a long-term focus on healthy ageing has helped me achieve results many people believe becomes impossible with age,” Mary says.
Today, Mary is still getting stronger. Her story is a powerful reminder that while ageing is inevitable, becoming frail is not. With the right training, consistency and support, it is possible to build strength, improve resilience and maintain independence well into your later years.
If Mary’s story resonates with you, you are not alone. Many people in their 50’s, 60’s and beyond want to stay strong enough to travel, enjoy hobbies, keep up with the grandchildren and remain independent for as long as possible.
Call Alex Flint on 021 808 210 to book an assessment to discover what’s possible.
