Most people put off diet and exercise for as long as possible. For Macungie resident Peter Buttacavoli it was 40 years. He started working out as a young man, but work and family obligations put his exercise routine on hold at the age of 22. It was not until he was 62 that he had free time to pursue his hobby of working out. That was 10 years ago.

On January 22 Peter turned 72. It also marked a decade of consistent workouts - and it shows. Peter goes to OxyFit Gym in Macungie where he is a SilverSneakers Fitness Program® member, but he decided to follow a different exercise routine than is typical for this program. In fact, gold is more his style, and he prefers to pump iron with those half his age. One look at Peter and one would guess that he was 55. He has a Bert Reynolds mug with a Stallone physique; built like a solid 30-year old with big guns (literally, he has two pistols tattooed on his left arm), enough bling for the Mr. T starter kit and a Rocky swagger.

The part-time engineering consultant is articulate and soft-spoken and his actions do the talking. Each week he does 3, 2-hour workouts; strength training and body sculpting are performed at intense levels to help with his cardiovascular fitness. He is motivated by a competitive spirit to not only improve his own performance, but also stay ahead of the 40-year olds that surround him. His routine, which was fatiguing just to listen to, includes 90 lb.. dumbbell bench presses, 200 perfect push-ups, dozens of one-armed push ups and one-armed chin ups ... and that’s not even the half of it. His workouts “energize his whole being” and that he “hates missing workouts.”
“People invest in their homes, cars and in the stock market. They also need to invest in their body with health and exercise,” says Peter. He doesn’t have any special diets but admits that he watches what he eats and limits red meat. Beyond that he credits his health and strength to good genes and takes natural vitamin E that he considers a “magic vitamin” and attributes his good skin to it.

It is no surprise that when asked “what advice do you have for someone looking to start working out?” he responded, “just start!” Peter Buttacavoli exemplifies a vibrant and healthy life and I was encouraged by his energy after meeting him. It was obvious that others at the gym respect him and are also motivated by him.

Thanks Peter for pushing yourself and in turn, pushing us. OxyFit Gym is recognizing the unique needs of the older adults in the community by partnering with the nationally recognized Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program.

About the Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program
The SilverSneakers® Fitness Program is offered by Healthways, an industry leader providing specialized, comprehensive Health and Care Supportsm solutions to help people maintain or improve their health. SilverSneakers was founded in 1992 and is the nation’s leading exercise program designed exclusively for older adults, offering an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially-oriented programming. The unique program may be available at no additional cost (other than any medical plan premium) to eligible Medicare health plan members and group retirees at more than 9,000 participating fitness and wellness centers, YMCAs, and Curves® locations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and D.C. For more information on SilverSneakers, call 888-423-4632 or visit www.silversneakers.com.