Exercise should be enjoyable: 79-year-old encourages fellow seniors with fitness programme

Clive Baker enjoys riding the surf in his kayak. Pictured here at Pandora, Napier. Photo / Warren Buckland

CAPTIONS: HBT18240804.JPG Clive Baker, 79, is a fitness enthusiast and keen kayaker and wants fellow seniors to share his passion for fitness. Photo/Warren Buckland HBT18240803.JPGClive Baker enjoys riding the surf in his kayak. Pictured here at Pandora, Napier. Photo / Warren Buckland

The old adage use it or lose it befits Havelock North's Clive Baker, who turns 80 this year, and firmly believes that age shouldn't be a hindrance to mental and physical fitness.

A keen kayaker and photographer, he is now encouraging people in the "retirement bracket" to get moving without it seeming like exercise.

He's joined forces with Focus Health Physiotherapy (with branches in Hastings, Napier and Havelock North) to start a "Get Moving" programme primarily for seniors.

Having been in the "recovery seat" multiple times, he knows only too well about taking steps to stay fit.

"There have three or four times when I have been recovering from illness and been to fitness programmes.

"I've seen people (my age) unfit and not motivated. I talked to them and decided to start a programme for them."

Unfortunately, he says, a lot of seniors see exercise as too much work and that needs to change.

"I think that no exercise routine ever holds up if it is not enjoyed first and foremost.

"I don't like people pounding pavements or sidewalks. I want to take people out to the parks, take photographs, provide intellectual stimulation.

"I want to get small groups of two to three people, living in the same geographical area together so they can explore together. I believe mental wellbeing is as important as physical wellbeing.

"Why would people want to get fit? It makes life easier."

Baker has been a patient with Focus Health Physiotherapy and he first approached them with a question: how can we help people become more active, and suggested the idea of a workout being a by-product of an enjoyable activity.

Clive Baker, 79, is a fitness enthusiast and keen kayaker and wants fellow seniors to share his passion for fitness. Photo / Warren Buckland

Focus Health marketing consultant Dee Gairdner says when he offered to organise outings and see if he could get more activity groups to form, they decided to get behind his initiative by offering a hosting platform on their website and promoting it through their network.

"Typically when you tell people they need to exercise, they clam down.

"Clive's idea is to get people out and moving without realising they are exercising.

"We are hoping multiple people put their hands up to lead the groups."

She says Baker is a great example of what exercise can do to your health.

"He keeps himself fit through weekly cycling and kayaking. He's also a keen (and very talented) photographer. He's out and about but he recognises it is not for everyone.

"Amongst seniors there's a belief that after a certain age you can't exercise. That is completely wrong.

"They think it is all about going to the gym etc, they give up. When all they need, for example, is a regular, light walk in the park."

The first Get Moving outings will combine easy walks in local parks with a friendly and social aspect, she says.

"Clive is organising these to kick-start the campaign but we need more keen leaders to organise their own groups."

The walking schedule can be found on the Focus Health website.