Bruce is 75 years old. He is a competitive athlete, a world record holder, and a Y member. He is still working as a consultant and sits on the Board of Directors for three organizations.
Growing up, Bruce wasn’t particularly athletic but he has always had a passion for basketball. He currently competes in 3-on-3 basketball, race walking, and the 400 meter individual and team running relays.
Bruce began competing in the National Senior Games in 2009 with his 3-on-3 basketball team after qualifying in 2008.
The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) held their first games in 1987 in St. Louis, Missouri. The NSGA exists today as a non-profit organization dedicated to motivating active adults to lead a healthy lifestyle through the senior games movement. The NSGA holds games every odd year with even years being for qualifying. The 2017 National Senior Games hosted in Birmingham, Alabama had over 10,500 athletes. Bruce will be competing in the 2019 Games to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico this June in both Power Walking and Basketball.
Bruce is also a member of the Philadelphia Masters Track Club and competes in the 400 meter individual and relay races. His relay team recently broke a World Record at the USATF Masters Indoor Championships in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Bruce averages six workouts a week. He sets a goal to burn 500 calories during a workout session. He combines cardio with strength training and enjoys relaxing in the Y’s sauna afterwards.
“Anyone can work out at home, but you don’t have to work out alone. The Y is a destination – a place where you can stay focused and build friendships,” Bruce explained. He plays pick-up basketball games 3-4 times a week at the Y and other area locations. He feels that the social aspect of coming to the Y is just as important as the physical. He is motivated by seeing the mix of ages at the Y, all making an effort toward a healthier lifestyle.
Bruce is still setting goals and has no plans to slow down. “I hope to compete in basketball in 2029 in the 85+ age category,” he proudly comments.
Bruce continues, “I don’t know what 75 is supposed to feel like, but I sure don’t feel it.”
Regular exercise provides many health benefits, including reducing the risk of injury and diseases. The North Penn YMCA offers programs for older adults including land and water group exercise classes, social events and activities, community education workshops and more.
