BRIAN COLLINS reckons as people get older they outgrow the everyday gym, so he feels lucky to have found a place to workout that caters to his generation.
Mr Collins, 73, not only found a gym in integratedliving's Newcastle Wellness Centre, but a social hub where he could make and maintain friendships.
So when the Wharf Road businesses had to close in March due to the coronavirus, like many other gym-goers, it was a blow to both Mr Collins' regular physical routine of attending two or three sessions a week, and his social life.
"It was disappointing because there's obviously a social element of coming here," he said.
"You're friendly with the people you work with, they're in your generation and we've got the same sort of needs.
"And once you reach a certain age, you need constant exercise to maintain strength and flexibility, if you don't do that you find your condition deteriorates."
Mr Collins said integratedliving's trainers kept in contact with members by phone and eventually ran at-home classes via online video conferencing.
But he said nothing could compare to exercising with friends and having trainers at hand in the gym, which overlooks Newcastle Harbour.
Mr Collins was one of dozens of seniors to return to the centre yesterday after its four-month shutdown.
Catherine Daley, integratedliving's CEO, said the company's eight wellness centres would all reopen over the next few months.
"The health and safety of our clients and staff is always our highest priority and rather than returning to normal, we will be creating a new normal with clear guidelines in place for the safe practice of all," she said.
