Ninety-year-old Ruth Clarke has been gifted a life long membership at Merimbula Health and Fitness.
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Ms Clarke chose the gym lifestyle 26 years ago and has not let anything get in her way.
“I have had cancer and chemo and I think that is the reason why I have kept going, I came to the gym most days having it,” she said.
Previously, she had also broken her wrist choosing to continue her exercise using one arm, whilst the other was in a cast. Ms Clarke said that training at the gym ‘keeps the mind as well as body active’.
“Aerobic movements with the ball are my favourite, the movement, the rhythm and coordination to the music – I feel really good after it.”
In the past, Ms Clarke spent her days working on a farm near Delegate. She is currently retired living in Tura Beach and drives herself to the gym twice a week.
“I have always been very active because I had to help on the farm.
“So here I am retired, and I didn’t know what to do,” Ms Clarke said.
“I started going to the gym in Pambula, and have been to a few other gyms and now I’m here [at Merimbula Health and Fitness].”
Ms Clarke turned 90 years old on Christmas Day, she is the oldest member of the gym and the first to receive a life membership.
“I really like the atmosphere and the companionship everyone here is friends,” she said.
“I feel that from exercising I have reached the age of 90, I don’t know if I ever wanted to be 90 – but I am!
“It’s apart of my life now, that I wake in the morning and I go to the gym,” Ms Clarke added.
It’s part of my life now, I wake in the morning and I go to the gym.
- Ruth 'Struth Ruth' Clarke
Merimbula Health and Fitness manager Gordana Raeck said the atmosphere is very supportive and social.
“Even though we have our hiccups we will always have a giggle and a laugh,” Ms Raeck said.
“She has been here since we took over the facility which has been nearly 9 years.”
Ruth is well known around the gym as ‘Struth Ruth’, she continues to impress and inspire many with her dedication and enthusiasm.
“Ruth is very motivated, I have not once heard her whinge about being sore or having aches and pains.
“She is a big mentor to everybody even the younger generations, they just can’t believe she still comes into the facility,” Ms Raeck said.