What does staying active in your 70’s really look like? For Helen Teal, it’s about finding the right balance between movement, mindset and enjoyment. At nearly 72, Helen is proving that age is no barrier to building strength, improving wellbeing and staying socially connected.
Like many people her age, Helen faces a familiar challenge. Her body sometimes wants to act its age, while her mind still feels much, much younger. Living with arthritis and a bad hip, she’s learned that staying active isn’t always straightforward. It can be frustrating at times. But Helen’s approach is simple: keep going, stay positive, and don’t give up.
Helen found her way by doing what she loves, while listening to her body at the same time. She regularly attends a wide mix of classes, including Yoga, Pilates, Aqua Aerobics, Stretch and Tone, and Zumba. These sessions help Helen stay active, social and motivated. And just as importantly, they’re enjoyable.
Alongside her classes, Helen works with one of the personal trainers, Richard, in the gym on a controlled programme tailored specifically for her. This helps her safely build and maintain muscle strength, something she knows is key as she ages.
“It’s all a balance between doing what I love and also knowing when my body needs rest.”
Helen has been a member at Alsager Leisure Centre for three years this time around, although she’s also been part of the community in the past. For her, it’s about more than just exercise. It’s the people and the support that make the difference.
She speaks highly of the team who’ve supported her along the way – Andrea, Louise and Julie for Yoga, Adrienne for Zumba, and Richard in the gym. Their encouragement, enthusiasm and professionalism have played a big part in keeping her going. She can’t praise them enough for the help they continue to give her on her fitness journey.
Helen also knows when to pause. With a bad hip, she’s careful to rest when needed and takes the right steps to understand what is going on, even when that patience can feel frustrating. For her, it’s not about stopping. It’s about adapting.
Through it all, she keeps her sense of humour, surrounds herself with like-minded people in her classes, and continues to put up what she calls “a good fight”.
For Helen, the future is all about continuing what she’s already doing, staying active, staying positive, and enjoying the journey. She hopes to remain a member at Alsager Leisure Centre for many years to come, building on the physical and mental benefits she’s already experienced.
“I have benefited greatly both physically and mentally since joining Alsager Leisure Centre.”
Her story is a great reminder that there’s no one way to stay active. Whether it’s group classes, tailored gym programmes, or simply finding what works for your body, it’s about doing health and wellbeing your way.
At Everybody Health & Leisure, there’s support for every stage of life. From friendly fitness classes, expert-led gym sessions and welcoming spaces where you can move at your own pace, you’ll find everything you need to feel stronger and more confident.
Because feeling healthier and happier isn’t about age. It’s about taking that next step, whatever that looks like for you.