Natalie's Everyday Heroes: 97-year-old weightlifter keeps seniors in shape
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- We all know exercise is important. Especially as we age.
One man in Bay View credits his exercise routine for his longevity.
And at a time when most people would be slowing down, he's helping other seniors stay fit, too.
Sometimes the hardest part can just be getting started.
"Do not bend your knees," Marcelina Agbuis called out to a class full of seniors.
Even if it's small.
Dick Knepper
"I only use two pounds," she said of her weights.
Dick Knepper, though, has never had that problem.
"I just did it my whole life," he said of his exercise regime.
And it has been a long life.
"I was born in 1928," he said.
Knepper is 97, but he's not going to lead with that.
"I'm 39 years old," he said with a laugh.
In a lot of ways, that's how he acts.
"He's a go-getter. He's always got to be active," Agbuis said.
Knepper was in his 70s when he decided to put together a simple program for other seniors.
"I was doing exercises at home. And I thought you know what, I bet you this would work for people I know," he said.
So now, every Monday and Thursday afternoon, people come to the Bay View Community Center to take the class he created.
"Dumbbells for Seniors. And that's what we call it," he said with a laugh. "Dumbbells for Seniors."
Soon, Knepper will be off to winter in Florida.
Dumbbells for Seniors will go on.
He's taught Agbuis to teach.
"I didn't want to do it. I said no, let me think about it. I said I don't like to be in front of people like that," she said.
She's only 82, so she decided to try new things.
Marcelina Agbuis
With Knepper's plan typed up, she's flexing her confidence.
"Stir the chili is next. Put your dummies down," she said to the class.
"I hope I'm as active as they are when I'm their age," said Francesca Loiacono, program manager at the community center.
She says these classes build so much more than physical strength.
"They do it completely on their own. They teach each other. They welcome each other. They welcome new folks to join," Loiacono said.
They're building strength in community.
"It is wonderful to come to these classes. And you laugh and you talk. We do visit afterwards," Agbuis said.
Thanks to one man who loves to exercise.
"I don't think I would be here," Knepper said.
And he taught others to love it, too, with simple advice for going strong at 97.
"If you want to live a long life, eat good, exercise, and sleep good," Knepper said.
Dumbbells for Seniors happens Mondays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. The class is an hour long and it's free.
Knepper is also a World War II veteran. For people familiar with Bay View, he also started Knepper Brothers auto shop with his brother in 1952. His grandsons run it now.
For more information about classes and services offered at the Bay View Community Center, click here.
If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].