Gail Scanlan took aerobics classes in the mid-1980s following the birth of her son to get back into shape. The joyful nature of her trainer encouraged her to continue working out. “It was fun, and not rigid,” she remembers. That approach resonated with Scanlan—a nurse-turned-personal trainer—which led her to teaching aerobics. She continued to work in nursing while teaching fitness part-time. In 2004, she earned her American Council on Exercise (ACE) certification and joined Iron-Bound Gym where she focuses on helping aging clients move better and live fuller, healthier lives.
My fitness philosophy…
…is to be healthy and keep yourself in the best shape so you can enjoy your life, especially as we age.
My clients say…
…that I’m a little nuts. We laugh. We joke. We have a good time. Laughter is the best medicine and it makes everything go down a bit easier.
The movie that inspires me…
…The Wizard of Oz.
On my workout playlist you’ll find…
…nothing. I don’t have an iPod. In my classes, I like a wide variety of music with a good beat. If there isn’t, then a good distraction on the television. I’ll watch home improvement shows and cooking shows. People ask, ‘How can you watch food shows when you’re working out?’ and I say, ‘Have you ever seen the carrot in front of the donkey?’ It’s where I get my ideas.
The clients that inspire me most…
…are some of my older clients.
You should embrace a fit lifestyle…
…so you can keep doing all of the things you love to do as you age—well into your 80s and 90s. Why not?