| Lancette Arts Journal Founded in 2000 |
Feature Stories From our Archives |
January 2005 |
Personal trainer talks about his book for those over 55
By Alidė Kohlhaas
Have you ever noticed that bookstores offer very little material, either in the form of magazines or in books about physical well being that is directed at those over 55? When it comes to physical training, the books are all aimed at those way below this age group, and magazines are aimed at the young, but not the young at heart.
So, I wondered what made Michael Fekete write his book, Strength Training for Seniors. As he admitted during our conversation, at 58 "I'm going to be a senior soon, and most of my clients are seniors. I find it very important to elevate the quality of life of seniors."
The certified coach, personal trainer, strength and conditioning specialist, has won a number of quadrathlons. His latest was in 2003 when he won the American Master Championship in Washington in the C.C. kayak/canoe category winning five gold and five silver medals (single, double and four).
"I do volumes of work in old folks homes," he said. "That is how I see the improvement [in the residents] and how more independent they are when they work out." He said he was motivated to write his book because there is a lot of material on physical training for children, highschool students and adults, but very little for seniors. "They seem to be the forgotten age group, and we seem to forget they can benefit to a very late age. When they take up strength training, all kinds of possibilities open up to them."
Fekete, who is also a physiotherapist, was born in Hungary and received his education there and in Canada. He now makes his home in Toronto. He works with the YMCA and with Sports Clubs of Canada to give lectures to staff, and trainers on strength training. He also writes articles for various magazines on fitness. I mentioned to him that I have a cousin who still mountain-climbed in BC in his high 80s. This did not surprise him. "Several of my senior clients . . .
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