Art of Aging: Fitness in the retirement years

BRYN MAWR, Pa. (WPVI) -- Jim Zug is a lean, limber, 21 times national squash champion, and a 74-year old athlete who loves the game.

"The competition is fun and the fitness is fun, too. My first championship was the national juniors which happened to be at Penn. When you win the national juniors, you say, 'oh my, I better play this some more."

And, so Jim's remarkable run began. And continues, as he just took home his 21st trophy winning the plus 70 category. He's been featured in Sports Illustrated 3 times as well.

"As I got older I definitely needed to work the weight machines to keep my upper body strong. I go to a fitness center about 3 days a week."

He works out where he lives, at Beaumont at Bryn Mawr. He says the camaraderie and activities at the resident-owned retirement community help keep him young.

"It simplifies life. It takes away some of the complexity. The meals are here. The shopping's less. It's a nice way of life." he says.

For Zug, fitness is a way of life and he says exercise keeps him mentally sharp. He still sits on several boards of directors.

"If you have to sit in a board meeting for 10 hours a day it helps you to be in condition for that as well as the next squash match," says Jim.

He has some friendly advice for the less active among us.

He says, "As you get older, staying fit, I think really makes you feel better."

You can find more stories on staying fit as you age in our Art of Aging section.