This is the case for ‘The Legends’, who meet at CrossFit OL1 in Derker every Monday and Wednesday morning.
Most of the members, who are aged between 55 and 82, came to the group after experiencing health issues, including knee replacements, heart attacks and cancer.
We were invited along to meet them during one of the morning workouts to find out more about how the group has helped them and how it could help other people their age change their lives too.
Most of the group’s members have overcome health problems. (Image: The Oldham Times)
John Roberts is about to turn 70. Over the last decade, he has only been cancer-free for about two and half years and continues to have regular chemo.
He has always tried to keep fit, but joining the Legends gym group was a completely new experience for him.
John told The Oldham Times: “I think it’s helped to save my life. When I got diagnosed at 60 with cancer, I didn’t expect to see my 70th. I’ve been coming for about four years now and it’s just been a godsend to me personally.”
John Roberts (Image: The Oldham Times)
The gym group is a family affair for John, who attends with his wife Cath, 67, a breast cancer survivor.
When asked about what the group means to her, Cath said: “Everything. We both had to retire because of ill health, so it’s just given us a purpose in life.
“And we’ve made so many good friends, who have gone through different things in life, but we’ve all been there for each other. It means a lot.”
Their daughter Angie Thewlis, 47, is a CrossFit coach and the group’s leader. She had the idea to start the group a few years ago after she led a three-month Battle Cancer programme, which her mum also attended.
Angie said: “I coach from 20-year-olds all the way up to 50-year-olds in normal classes, but these are the ones who just inspire me every single time they come into a class.”
She explained that the workouts are designed to help improve their day-to-day movement, such as picking up shopping bags or reaching for the cupboard, as well as core control and strength.
Most of the group’s members have overcome health problems. (Image: The Oldham Times)
All the exercises can be adapted to suit each person’s abilities, which means everyone works at their own pace.
These workouts have definitely helped the group’s “glamour queen”, 82-year-old Irene Lorenzelli.
After having two knee replacements in 2023, she was worried that she would no longer be able to visit family in Brisbane.
She said: “Even the plane, it was daunting because I just couldn’t sit very well. The left knee particularly I suffered with, but I’m just pleased to say that I’m fitter now at 82 than I was 25 years ago.”
Irene made it to Australia and even fit in a trip to Hawaii on the way back. She is now able to do the things she loves, like gardening and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who have all been “amazed” by her achievements.
Irene Lorenzelli (Image: The Oldham Times)
James Price, another one of the group’s cancer survivors, has had a similarly transformative experience since starting at the gym.
He told The Oldham Times that he has reduced and even stopped some of the medication he was on before and now also combines his gym classes with daily cold showers, inspired by Wim Hof.
Aside from the physical benefits of going to the gym, James has also seen an improvement to his mental health, thanks to the friends he has made there.
James said: “To me, it’s more of a social. I mean we work hard, believe you me, and it’s exhausting, but we come out, we’ll get a coffee, have a chat, just talk about the day.
“We’ll joke to each other: ‘Angie is trying to kill us again’, but it works – it works for all of us.”
James Price (Image: The Oldham Times)
The same can be said for 63-year-old Jackie Hartley, who joined the group after having a heart attack.
Jackie said: “If you’ve had cancer, heart attacks, you need that confidence again to get up and going, that independence to go out and meet other people, so it’s good for mental health as well.
“That’s why we all just get on, we’re all there to support one another. Some weeks, we’re having a bad week but we still go and work through it together.”
Jackie’s daughter Danielle Hartley Touil, who runs the gym, said that the group has been a “great addition” to the community.
She was particularly proud of the Legends when they took part in the CrossFit Open alongside the gym’s other members.
Danielle said: “It was really inspirational for the younger generation to see – and they’re still going.
“Just because you’re over 60 or 65 doesn’t mean that you have to stop training. Everyone’s just really benefited from having them here and they’ve been a great asset to us.”
Most of the group’s members have overcome health problems. (Image: The Oldham Times)
All the group members we spoke to said they would encourage other people their age to start their own fitness journeys.
John said: “You couldn’t have a more welcoming place than when you walk through this door.
“It’s just such a fantastic place. It’s not something to be scared of. It’s not like walking into a normal gym where they’re flashing their muscles. We have a laugh, there’s a lot of banter, as well as working out.”
Irene said: “The social side is terrific. They’re all fabulous. If you’ve had knee operations, hip operations, backs, cancer, any sort of recovery, it is so good. What you get out of it is terrific.”
Most of the group’s members have overcome health problems. (Image: The Oldham Times)
James said: “I won’t ever pretend that I’m at the fitness level of some other people my age, but what I will say is that it’s given me a new lease of life.
“I think genuinely there’s been a massive improvement on my mental health – and how many people can say that they come to the gym for their mental health alone?
“We’ve had a lot of conversations about how this helps focus the mind, and that includes your physical and your mental health.”
The Legends group is open to new members and the first session is free for anyone who wants to give it a go.
More information about the Legends group at Cross Fit OL1 can be found on the gym’s website and social media.
