Lilian Brimelow
AEROBICS INSTRUCTOR AT 75!
It's not often you come across a 75-year-old woman who is doing a job she loves - and that keeps her fit and healthy. Lilian Brimelow, from Southampton, is Primetime Coordinator at her local LA Fitness club, teaching aerobics classes as part of its Prime Time programme for over 55s. Working with the company for almost five years, Lilian is now studying with leading leisure training provider, Lifetime, to extend her current fitness instructing qualification.
Lilian says: "I used to work as a manager in a home care service but when I moved from Sutton Coldfield I didn't know anybody and needed to find a way of making new friends. When I joined LA Fitness as a member I decided to teach my own fitness classes at the club. I loved the social aspect and found that making friends in the gym came so easily. With my love of aerobics instructing, I knew I wanted to provide a fun and active class to people of my age."
"When the management team suggested I take up a course with Lifetime, I jumped at the chance. Once qualified, I will be able to instruct in the gym as well as teach more aerobics classes in the studio. Exercising in the gym is really important so I want to be able to give older people advice on the benefits which can be gained from using the wide variety of machines available. I love helping people improve their health and fitness and watching them make new friends is fantastic too - it's a very rewarding job."
Lilian is working towards an NVQ Level 2 in Fitness Instructing with Lifetime which enables her to study for a qualification while working part-time at LA Fitness. Lifetime's Fitness Instructor Award qualifies individuals to work within a gym environment, inducting clients onto equipment and to plan and supervise their workouts. With on-the-job training and her own personal experience and knowledge, Lilian will be able to confidently deliver professional classes and provide advice to seniors as well as those with disabilities.
Lilian continues: "I'm really enjoying the practical component of the course. I'm currently working with our gym manager on how to devise exercise programmes for over the 50's. I originally found the Exercise and Fitness Knowledge theory quite difficult, especially the technical terms as people my age often use layman's terms. However, my colleagues and the team at Lifetime are always there to help. Now when I teach an aerobics class, I can explain to members what muscles are being used for each exercise and the benefits."
While studying for her qualification, Lilian has been teaching two classes a week and they have become extremely popular with the members. In addition to teaching aerobics, she runs classes for Age Concern and sheltered housing as well as organising social events in the local area. The classes at LA Fitness have grown considerably in popularity - Lilian started with just two people in her class and now has around 18 regulars on average.
Lilian says: "There are so many enjoyable aspects to my job. My career always involved helping people and, as I enjoy socialising and exercising, fitness instructing is perfect for me. I am learning more about my own body and I'm exercising much more than I used to. At the club, I have since seen people improve their health and there is always laughter in my classes - exercise has to be relaxed and fun. We have members who come to every session and if they can't make it, whether it's due to something like sickness or holidays, they let me know."
It is no surprise that Lilian's aerobics classes are so popular. The classes are ideal for the over 50s which involve gentle exercises including warm ups, all over body exercises in time with marching music, stretching, and ten minutes of relaxation. Members have also found it is a good way to network with fellow fitness enthusiasts and recommend other social activities in the area. Many have even enquired about Lilian's career, particularly on behalf of their younger relatives who are interested in working in the fitness industry.
Lilian adds: "People are finding that working as a fitness instructor is a perfect way to keep fit and socialise - and someone of any age can do it! I have seen my fitness levels increase and it's very important that older people exercise especially around the winter time. When I gain my instructing qualification I'm looking forward to teaching clients in the gym to improve their health. My next goal is to take up a nutrition course with Lifetime so I can offer professional advice on nutrition particularly relating to common conditions in seniors like osteoporosis."
"I feel great at 75 - I'm fit, healthy and I'm having so much fun with the members. I have a job that I love and I get to share my enjoyment while helping improve people's lives."