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many additional activities such as kayaking, football, full swing classes, line dancing, kite making, water sports, cooking demonstrations and much more. The choice can be confusing and the possibilities are really endless. MVP Athletic Club: This facility offers a valuable opportunity to get active and stay in shape. Membership includes over a thousand monthly group classes as well as state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment. Both gyms have personalised individual and group trainers available to motivate everyone to achieve all their personal fitness goals.

A Famous Resident: John LaFlamme, World Champion in the over 70s Category

In August 2023, the 72-year-old Village powerlifter broke the 70-and-over world squat in his weight class (93kg) at the North American Powerlifting Champi

onships in Panama. He even managed it twice - just a few minutes after the first record, he surpassed his own mark with 198 kg (437 pounds). LaFlamme may pos sibly be the world’s strongest person over age 70. He star ted lifting in 1978 and did it for about seven years until he stop

ped to focus on family and work. It was not until 2013 that he started again. Since restarting, he has set a lifetime best in the deadlift at 245 kilograms - a weight he did not think he could ever lift when he started powerlifting again. And the 70+ year old has no plans to stop lifting any time soon: he wants to keep going until his body tells him it is time to stop. Until then, he intends to continue striving to be the strongest. «The athletes show us that being ’old’ is a state of mind and that physical fitness is up to each individual,» says a Villa ges resident. «The Senior Games athletes prove that we can accomplish anything we put our minds to.» America’s Healthiest Hometown The philosophy of the community is clearly health-orientated. Therefore, guests are encouraged to start or maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. It is important to look after body, mind and soul and take steps to enjoy a long, happy life, in the spirit of longevity. Furthermore there is certainly no shortage of opportunities to keep in touch with friends and neighbours, which can have an additional positive impact on health.

Info: www.thevillages.com

STRONG and VITAL No. 1 - 2024

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