Photos by Krista Husa
eINLiving0
Making
The Years
rir r
same level of vitality throughout their
lives.
As one 56-year-old grandmother
puts it, "I'm staying in shape to keep
fight abs. Shapely legs.
up, stay vital." Dedicated to a regular
.1 I
Sculpted arms.
Sounds like scenes from workout routine, Sandy Schwartz
plans to be around for a good while.
a Calvin Klein 20-some-
"We don't keep age in the forefront
thing clothing ad or glimpses of a
of
our
minds in this place," says Dana
Jenny McCarthy centerfold, right?
Martin, referring to the Oakland Ath-
Not necessarily. Those are no longer
letic Club in Birmingham where
the sexy attributes of the young and
Schwartz is a member. Martin,
nubile only.
Sandy
OAC's fitness director, says the
With an increase in
Schwartz works majority of club members are
longevity among America's
out to keep up
between 35 and 55 years old.
population and numerous
with grand-
And not only are a growing
medical advancements, more
daughter Sarah number of 50-plusers working
and more folks pushing their
out to enhance their physical
late 40s and up to the 70s and Fisher.
appearance and to help slow
beyond are shaping up and
the proverbial biological clock, they
sweating it out right next to the wrin-
also know that if they want to grow
kle-free crowd at gyms and fitness stu-
older gracefully they must work out.
dios throughout the area.
Schwartz wants to grow old grace-
Times have changed. Aging experts
fully while creating new energy.
say that in 1900, one could expect to
Besides wanting to look and feel bet-
live until he or she reached the age of
ter, Schwartz receives motivation from
47. Today, many live well into their
her grandchildren. A 3-month-old
eighth decade and enjoy almost the
MEGAN SWOYER
Special to The Jewish News
r 1
Longer- life span
brings a strong commitment
from older people to physical fitness.
,
12/26
1997
L16