This October and November, across Stratford-on-Avon District, Everyone Active is encouraging a greater number of over 60s to become physically and mentally active, with the launch of its Age is Just a Number campaign.
Now in its fifth year, the campaign celebrates the senior demographic by showcasing their fitness stories and proving what can be achieved by staying active into later life.
Launched on Sunday, 5 October - also known as Silver Sunday, the national day dedicated to celebrating older people - it will run until Monday, 17 November.
Stratford Leisure Centre, Southam Leisure Centre, Shipston Leisure Centre, Studley Leisure Centre and The Greig Leisure Centre in Alcester, run by award-winning operator Everyone Active in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, are encouraging the older generation to visit their local leisure centre and enjoy the wide range of activities on offer.
Everyone Active supports older people to exercise across the country throughout the year, with regular dedicated senior activity sessions already seeing more than 20,000 attendances each month.
To help older people to get active, we have spoken to some of our local senior members and heard just how transformative exercise can be. Whether it is for weight loss, recovery from injury, improved mobility, fitness or social reasons, there is so much that exercise can do to improve quality of life.
Record breaker Arthur Lowe, 90, from Shipston, attends Shipston Leisure Centre to swim twice a week and claims swimming has been his lifeline.
"Being 90, it is without a doubt swimming that has kept me going and my love of the sport. It obviously keeps me quite mobile compared to another poor old soul who might be 90. I just love swimming and I'm at home in the water," said Arthur.
Arthur is now the fastest 90-year-old male in Britain to swim 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle and the 50m and 100m backstroke, as he holds the British records in the 90-94 age category, proving he shows no signs of slowing down.
He swam for Birmingham Masters two years ago and now plans to compete in the Swim England Masters National Championships 2025 in Sheffield later this month, endeavouring to enter five events.
"I want to beat everybody in my age group," adds Arthur, whose competitive spirit is still strong. "The youngsters are infinitely faster than I am. I can live with that, but I can't live with somebody who's 90 plus beating me."
Arthur's swim routine involves early morning swims to keep him active, but also some socialising, he says.
"Swimming is such a wonderful sport - all your muscles are going at the same time, you're breathing and you're observing. I start at 8 o'clock in the morning swim for an hour, have a shower, then go home.
"It is a wonderful chance to talk to complete strangers, learn to talk to people and watch their expressions. And if they give you a frown, stop talking!
"If you want advice on your swimming - it is never, ever too late. Age is just a number. Get into the pool, it's not hard, and say hello to me."
Richard Bell, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "We are proud to offer our members a friendly and welcoming environment that motivates people of all ages to get active.
"Maintaining physical activity and keeping socially active is vitally important for older people in the local community.
"This campaign aims to inspire people to try a new activity or engage in simple exercises each week at home, helping people of all abilities discover the different ways they can enjoy exercise."
Cllr Lorraine Grocott, Environmental and Neighbourhood Services Portfolio said: "This really is a super initiative, and I would encourage more senior residents of our District to get involved, as age should be no barrier to keeping fit and healthy.
"Keeping healthy and strong as we age provides huge benefits. Arthur's story is a shining example of how age should never be a barrier to living life to the fullest.
"It is never too late to start a form of exercise, and this campaign offers the perfect opportunity to take that first step. Whether it's swimming, joining an exercise class, or simply moving more each day, the Age is Just a Number campaign reminds us that staying active is the key to living well at any age."
With more than 230 leisure centres across the country, Everyone Active offers activities for all ages, as well as specialised classes designed to appeal to older people.
By signing up here, people can find out more about local senior sessions and receive inspirational videos from our fantastic senior members, as well as being in with a chance to win a six-month adult membership.
Proving that gyms, swimming pools and other activities are perfect for people of all ages to use and enjoy, watch our inspirational stories from older members across the country here.
