Leamington Spa care home resident visits gym for the first time

A 92-year-old Leamington Spa care home resident recently had his wish to work out in a gym fulfilled, enabling him to reconnect with his active past and passion for keeping fit.

 

Despite never setting foot in a gym before, Jack Marvel, a resident at Care UK’s Priors House, on Old Milverton Lane, led an incredibly active life and achieved many impressive fitness feats. 

Jack, who recently celebrated his 92^nd birthday, was a keen runner throughout his life, pounding the pavements four evenings a week and often taking part in half marathons and 10k races. He also ran for the athletics club Birchfield Harriers and kept up this hobby until he was 80 years of age. 

Walking and running have long been Jack’s favourite type of exercise. On his 60^th birthday, he completed a 200-mile coast-to-coast walk in the North England with friends to celebrate. He was no stranger to long distance walking and even recalls a time when he walked over 20 miles across the Derbyshire peaks. 

Jack also kept fit through gardening and tending to his allotment, which helped him build and maintain strength and muscle mass throughout his life. Even after experiencing a stroke at the age of 92, Jack was determined not to slow down too much and keeps active at Priors House by walking in the garden daily with his wife Marlene. 

After expressing to the Priors House team that he would like to visit a gym for the very first time, they got to work organising a special afternoon out for Jack at Nuffield Health Warwick Fitness & Wellbeing Gyms. During his visit, Jack used the treadmill, exercise bikes, rowing machine and strength linear leg press. 

Speaking about his visit, Jack said: “I wanted to discover what I was capable of and make my legs stronger. I had never been in a gym, but I really enjoy it. You’re never too old to try something new and won’t know what you are capable of until you try!”

His secret? “Eating my porridge with milk, that’s gives me fuel, even now.” Jack shared. 

This experience was made possible through the Care UK Wishing Tree at Priors House, which enables residents to put forward activities they would like to do to reconnect with past passions or try something completely new. Whether it’s a fish and chip supper, a skydive or a gym visit, no wish is too big or too small. 

Francine Summers, Home Manager at Priors House, said "Jack is so passionate about fitness and stays so active here at Priors House. When he told us that he’d like to visit a gym for a workout, we knew we had to make that happen for him. 

“It’s incredibly important to us that residents live active and fulfilling lives, and that they have opportunities to reminisce by reconnecting with past passions and hobbies. Jack enjoyed every minute of his gym session and even put some of the younger members to shame on the treadmill! His dedication to staying active is really inspiring and we were so please to be able to grant his wish.” 

Priors House, which is rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.