Matt WeigoldBBC Radio Stoke and
Laura McMullanBBC Midlands Today
A fitness instructor of fifty years has no intention of hanging up her trainers despite being about to turn 80.
Sheila Jones teaches 14 classes a week across Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek and is described by one of her participants as a “living legend”.
Her loyal followers, some of whom have been attending for decades, thanked Mrs Jones for the motivation, energy and laughter she brings to her sessions.
“I just love it,” Mrs Jones said. “Plus, I think people have fun, so that’s the main thing.”
Mrs Jones, from Meir in Stoke-on-Trent, began teaching in the mid 1970s and her commitment to fitness has rubbed off on her members.
“I’ve been coming to this class for forty years,” Angela Richards said.
“That’s why I get out of bed in a morning – for Sheila,” she added. “If she can do it, then I can.”
Fellow class member Linda Goodwin agreed and also recognised the contribution of the eldest participants.
“Everybody’s such good role models for keep fit at any age,” she said.
Mrs Jones has ensured members with limited mobility or recovering from major surgery feel included and safe to take part in her sessions.
Referring to members with hip and knee replacements, she said: “Once the doctors sign them off, they seem to be fine and we have loads of fun.”
Mrs Jones taught at Brough Park Leisure Centre in Leek before its eighteen-month closure for extensive refurbishment.
Such is the demand for her classes, one of her Leek participants requested she run her sessions from the retirement apartments, Daisy Haye.
She now conducts a chair aerobics class for the residents once a week until the leisure centre reopens.
The 79-year-old insisted she would continue her busy fitness schedule even beyond her upcoming 80th birthday, citing her resilience when returning to work six months after being treated for bowel cancer in 2009.
“You’ve just got to be positive,” she smiled.
