Art of Aging: Staying in shape

SPRING GARDEN (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia couple is working hard to prove that even if you lose it, you can always get it back through hard work and exercise.

Three times a week, Larry and Karen Metzger of Penn's Landing, rise well before the crack of dawn and hit City Fitness on Spring Garden Street.

Larry hits the treadmill and lifts weights while Karen takes small group classes with personal trainer Richard Gross.

"It's a nice start to the day," said Karen.

Karen never exercised at all until her 40's, when she started walking to lose weight.

"Back in the early 80's, it was not the emphasis was not on workout like it is now," said Karen.

She started training with Richard about a year ago.

Richard Gross, Personal Trainer of City Fitness says, "When she first started with me, she couldn't do a basic walking lunge. Okay, she didn't have the hip mobility. She did not have the strength through her glutes and her hamstrings."

Now, Karen does single leg squats on the TRX.

At 67, Karen still works full time as a paralegal. Her 72-year-old husband is a practicing attorney who says he goes to the gym to spend time with his bride.

"If it wasn't for her, I'd be home eating cereal," said Larry.

But, he says the benefits of their fitness routine are undeniable.

Larry said, "I've lost maybe 10 or 15 pounds since I started working out here and it helps with your balance. It helps just moving around every day. You move quicker, faster and you're more alert."

"I used to think, when you were 65, that was about it and now I see that you look much younger. You feel much younger," said Karen.

And her physical progress fills Karen with pride.

She says, "When I'm in the shower, I'm amazed at the strength of my arms," she laughs. "I know it sounds ridiculous but I can lift things more easily."

"That arm sag that so many women have, so many people complain about, it's getting better. It's really improving," she adds.

Her trainer, Richard says, "As you can see the smile on my face and me blushing, that means a lot to me, definitely, definitely," he laughs.

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