Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

At the age of 84 most pensioners would be taking it easy but this one refuses, instead she works up a sweat in the gym three times a week. Gwynedd Baker enjoys nothing more than pounding the treadmill, cycling, working the cross trainer and wave machine and taking part in fitness classes at Carmarthen Leisure Centre. Although the former midwife and college lecturer suffers with high blood pressure, osteoporosis and arrhythmia, the sprightly pensioner shows no signs of letting up. Mrs Baker, from Carmarthen said: “I love keeping fit and also enjoy the social element to it. “It’s easy to sit back, watch television and do nothing but that’s not me, I like to keep active.” The fitness enthusiast also takes part in the balance and strengthening class and is one of the oldest members at the leisure centre. She was referred by her GP under the National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) and works to a tailored fitness programme delivered by the centre’s qualified instructors. She said: “The st...

This 76-year-old Emphysema sufferer has proven age has no barrier for keeping fit. Twice weekly, Des Jones attends Carmarthen Leisure Centre for his workout session hooked up to an oxygen bottle and nose tubes. The grandfather works the treadmill, hand bikes and does standing push ups as part of his hourly sessions at the centre. He also does twenty minutes of gently exercise three times a week from home. Before he joined the gym the pensioner was unable to walk around a supermarket without his oxygen bottle and had to take rest stops. Now he is able to walk unaided. Des said: “With my condition I was rapidly getting out of breath and found it difficult to even get out of the car. Since I’ve been exercising, tasks which I found very difficult before are now a lot easier and I’m much stronger. “Before going to the gym I enjoyed cooking in the kitchen but had to stop as I was constantly attached to the oxygen bottle and it couldn’t be exposed to heat. But now it’s a thing of the p...