Edna Sheppard: Meet the 100-year-old fitness fanatic who still does up to five gym classes a week
Edna Sheppard is an inspiring 100-year-old fitness fanatic who hits the gym three times a week – proving that age is really just a number.
Her great-grandmother has been a devoted member of the Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Center in Melbourne’s north for 40 years.
Regardless of her age, Edna can do push-ups, sit-ups, planks, barbell squats and full workouts while holding a 5kg weight in each hand.
‘I enjoy working out, it makes me feel good and it’s important to keep my body moving,’ Edna told FEMAIL.
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Melbourne’s beloved great-grandmother Edna Sheppard (pictured) has been a devoted member of the Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Center in north Melbourne for 40 years and participates in up to five gym classes each week
Regardless of her age, Edna can do push-ups, sit-ups, planks, barbell squats and full workouts while holding a 5kg weight in each hand.
In the 1980s when her late husband Max retired at the age of 60, she ‘didn’t want him to sit at home doing nothing’, so she enrolled them both in classes at the recreation center.
These days she goes to the gym every Monday and Friday taking part in tai chi, aerobics and weightlifting classes – and on Wednesdays she walks with the club. Sometimes she participates in up to five classes a week.
“We do weights and all sorts of floor exercises, which I like,” she says.
From the age of three to her teenage years, Edna loved to dance and do gymnastics. When she was a young adult she also took part in ballroom dancing.
“At the age of 11 I won the prize for ‘best child of physical culture’ in Victoria,” he recalls.
In previous years Edna took eight classes a week, including swimming and Zumba classes.
On days when he doesn’t feel like working out, he can still put on his sneakers and visit the recreation center for training sessions.
“I do what I can – you need to know what you can and can’t do as you get older,” she said.
In the 80s when her late husband Max retired at the age of 60, she ‘didn’t want him to sit at home doing nothing’, so she enrolled them both in classes at the recreation center. And from there he hasn’t stopped coming back since (photo: Edna in front of gym class working out)
During the Covid lockdown when the gym was closed Edna worked out in the comfort of her own home using dumbbells.
And his main advice to others is to ‘try hard’ and ‘keep moving’ but also ‘understand your body’.
‘Make sure you know what you can do and what you can’t do, it’s not good to push yourself or hurt yourself,’ she said.
From the age of three until her teenage years Edna loved dancing and gymnastics (photo: Edna, far left, with her sister). Edna married her late husband Max (photo: second from right) in 1942 but sadly he died 15 years ago
When asked what the secret is for a long and happy life, Enda said the key is to take care of your body and be nice.
“I never smoked or drank alcohol and I always exercise as much as I can,” she said.
‘I always try to get along well with people and do things for other people.’
Edna says her diet consists of ‘good plain food’ and never eats spicy food because she doesn’t enjoy it.
She cooks all her meals herself and makes sure she eats plenty of fruit and vegetables too.
‘Make sure to take care of your body, because no one else is going to do it for you,’ she says.
Edna and Max married in 1942 but unfortunately Max died 15 years ago, and Edna says the key to a long relationship is communication.
‘You need to listen to each other and if you have differences [in opinions]talked about it and everything went well,’ he said.
‘I had a wonderful marriage with Max because we were able to do just that – we always will.’
Earlier this year on January 29, Edna celebrated her 100th birthday at the Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Center surrounded by family, friends and club members.
“Sport has always been a part of my life and I wouldn’t be happy if I couldn’t do it,” he said.
Earlier this year on January 29, Edna celebrated her 100th birthday at the Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Center surrounded by family, friends and club members.
“We have families from all over Australia coming and visiting, it’s absolutely beautiful,” he said.
‘Sport has always been a part of my life and I wouldn’t be happy if I couldn’t do it.’
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