82-Year-Old Feels 50

At 82 years old, Harry King defies expectations as a personal trainer. His fitness journey began in his 60s after receiving an arthritis diagnosis that changed his perspective on health.

When his doctor identified arthritis in his knees, King was advised to limit walking to reduce strain.

Taking that advice, however, left him less active, causing weight gain and an overall decline in well-being.

Realizing the negative impact of inactivity, King sought other ways to stay mobile.

He started using a stationary bike and lifting weights, which proved to be arthritis-friendly exercises.

Before long, King progressed enough to take up long-distance hiking, and fitness soon became a core aspect of his lifestyle and ultimately led to a second career.

From Corporate Leader to Fitness Trainer

Formerly a senior vice president of sales and marketing for an insurance company, King has always been motivated by the idea of helping others excel, a passion that has carried over into his post-retirement chapter.

“My life’s purpose has always been to help others improve,” King told Fortune.

Now, as a personal trainer at his local Planet Fitness, King offers individual coaching sessions and leads strength-training classes.

“I primarily work with people aged 50 and older, focusing on reducing fall risks and improving balance and overall body strength,” he explained.

King himself is living proof of the benefits of weightlifting.

Regular training not only improved his bone density but also strengthened his knees, enabling him to exceed the limits once set by his arthritis diagnosis.

Today, his disciplined fitness routine allows him to enjoy active hobbies like walking his dog, kayaking, and hiking in addition to training his clients.

Harry King’s Fitness Routine

King typically starts his workday at either 6 a.m. or noon, clocking in an eight-hour shift as a trainer. Between classes and client sessions, he prioritizes his own workouts.

His fitness schedule includes lifting weights three to four times a week and warming up with 20 to 30 minutes of cardio on the stationary bike.

On days when he doesn’t strength train, he continues the bike cardio to stay active.

Outside of the gym, King enjoys taking his dog on hour-long walks or venturing into the state park behind his home for extended hikes.

These activities leave King feeling decades younger, and he now easily tackles 25-mile hikes.

“The key isn’t your chronological age but how your body and mind feel,” King said. “How do I feel? How do I want to feel? What can I do to improve how I feel? I’m not ready to slow down.”

King believes the secret to feeling young is staying consistent with exercise and doing activities you enjoy.

“The best approach is to stay busy and make exercise a regular part of your life,” he added.

It’s Never Too Late to Start

Though King exemplifies healthy aging, he’s not even the oldest person in his gym.

“I once worked with a 92-year-old client who started exercising with a weak hip. Thanks to consistent cycling and weight training, his quality of life improved significantly,” King recalled. “I could see the transformation.”

He strongly encourages everyone, especially seniors, to work with a personal trainer who can guide them toward appropriate exercises and proper form based on their specific goals.

When King first joined the gym, his workouts were limited to the stationary bike. A personal trainer eventually introduced him to weightlifting, launching his fitness transformation.

King emphasizes that building core strength is the foundation of a strong and stable body. He defines the core as not only the abs but also the glutes and lower back.

By focusing on exercises like squats and hinge movements, individuals can improve their core stability, which benefits their entire body.

“If you focus on strengthening that area, it helps you control the rest of your body,” he noted.

King understands that staying motivated can be challenging, especially for older adults. For him, the key lies in recognizing how exercise enhances his ability to enjoy life.

“It’s easy to go home and do nothing. But I want to make the most of my life, and working out is part of that,” King said. “I’ve never allowed being physically unfit to stop me from doing what I love.”

Source: fortune

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.