Seniors Month is all about celebrating the contributions, connections and active lifestyles of older Australians and at SWELL Palmerston, Peter is leading by example.

At 72 years old, Peter is proving that staying active doesn’t slow down with age. What started as just some hydrotherapy for a knee injury has turned into a full fitness routine, where he now takes part in every single group fitness class on the timetable.

Peter first joined SWELL in early 2025 to use the warm water pool for rehab. Once his knee improved, he decided to try group fitness classes. Six months later, he’s a familiar face at yoga, aqua aerobics, Pilates, circuits and more, often turning up multiple times a day.

“Being older doesn’t mean you can’t be fit,” Peter said. “I never thought about activities like yoga or Pilates and now I think they’re great. The trainers and team at SWELL are great and make room for all levels of fitness so my advice is to just give it a try. You might find something you love.”

Beyond the workouts, Peter has built strong connections with the SWELL team and other members. He’s even enrolled in adult swimming lessons to continue learning new skills and building his fitness.

Ashley Stephens, Venue Manager at SWELL, said Peter’s commitment is extremely inspiring. “If I don’t see Peter when a class is on, I’m worried because he’s always here, ready to work out and he encourages others too. His attitude and warm nature are an absolute pleasure to have in our classes and at our venue.”

Peter’s story is a motivating one to share, not just for Seniors Month but as a reminder of the connections and wellbeing our community spaces like SWELL create. It’s inspiring to see him staying active after his injury recovery and proving that age really is just a number. 

To join in the fun at SWELL, visit the SWELL Palmerston website.

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