At Magna Vitae, we love celebrating our members – especially those who quietly (or proudly!) show what’s possible at any age. John, 75, is one of those people.
A friendly regular at both our Mablethorpe and Louth venues, he’s living proof that staying active and social can completely transform your wellbeing.
Just a year ago, John was recovering from knee surgery and being told he probably wouldn’t play badminton again. True to form, he wasn’t having that! While following his physio exercises on the bike, he kept noticing the rowing machine and wondered whether it might actually give him a better workout. He gave it a go—and that was the beginning of something big.
With encouragement from fellow member Karen, John signed up for a worldwide rowing challenge! Over the course of a month, he rowed as much as he possibly could, even with four days off for what should have been an England cricket match (which turned out to be “a lot of Guinness, not a lot of cricket!”).
Despite being new to rowing, he finished 62nd out of 75,000 people, with only four competitors of his age ranking above him. He even rowed half-marathons before and after his competition days when he was feeling good. Considering he only took up rowing properly this year, that’s nothing short of remarkable.
What motivates John isn’t beating other people—it’s seeing what he can do. The Concept2 app tracks all his metres automatically and since February he’s already passed a staggering three million metres.
“Once you see an improvement, that’s the spur,” he says. “You think, ‘Well, I’ve done that—now let’s see if I can do better.’”
His next goal? Breaking into the top 50. Knowing John, he’ll get there soon enough!
John laughs about it, but he means every word when he says rowing helped him lose three stone. He loves that rowing uses around 85% of the body’s muscles and believes anyone who sticks with it will start to see results quickly.
“It’s a fat burner,” he says. “After the first week or two, you see an improvement. And once you see that, it keeps you going.”
It’s helped his badminton too. He’s moving quicker, playing better and feeling stronger—ironic, considering he was told he’d never play again!
Beyond the physical benefits, the gym has become a big part of John’s everyday life. After losing his wife in 2018, staying active gave him structure, connection and a reason to get up and out each morning.
“It gets me out of the house,” he says. “I go in, have a chat, get my rowing done, and there’s always someone friendly around.”
Despite his incredible progress, John is always open to trying new things. He plays both competitive and social badminton, has given pickleball a go and even enjoys a walk on the treadmill when his knee allows. He likes having a balance—some sessions where he pushes himself, and others where he simply enjoys being active with others.
John knows that walking into a gym can feel daunting, especially if you haven’t exercised in a while. His advice is simple and reassuring:
“Go at your pace. Don’t look at what anyone else is doing. Start small—bit of walking on the treadmill, bit of bike—then push a tiny bit more. Once you see an improvement, that’s what keeps you going. It’s better than sitting at home and you meet people too. It makes a big difference.”
For John, it’s not about competition. It’s about proving to yourself that you can keep going, keep improving and keep moving – no matter what your age.
John’s story is a powerful example of how staying active doesn’t just boost your fitness—it builds confidence, connection and purpose. At Magna Vitae, we see it every day: it’s never too late to start and you never know where that first step will lead.
If John can achieve all this in just a year, imagine what you could do. We’re here to help you begin your journey, one step – or row – at a time.
Fitness at Magna Vitae
Explore our fitness facilities at our locations in Horncastle, Louth, Skegness, and Mablethorpe.
Featuring state-of-the-art equipment from EGYM, Life Fitness, and TechnoGym, all within spacious open-plan designs.
Start your fitness journey today with your local Leisure Trust!
