72-year-old instructor joins Holmes Place

Two heart attacks and a subsequent heart bypass operation acted as a catalyst for 68-year-old bookseller David Corran to radically change his life.

Today, aged 72, he is enjoying his new role as a fitness instructor at Holmes Place Crouch End. He is also a member of the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs).

Corran became a member of Holmes Place six weeks after his operation and took up an exercise programme specifically designed by fitness staff.

Four years later, staff at the club persuaded him to take a fitness instructors course with YMCAfit, which he successfully completed in May this year.

“When I passed the course I was in tears,” said Corran. “When I started I was overwhelmed at the volume of information I had to absorb. I hadn’t been to school for years, although I do have a degree in English literature.”

“I work out in the gym pretty much every day and think I’ll still go when I’m 100 years old.

“There is a huge case for encouraging people who are over the age of 50 to work out – think about the effect on posture, flexibility and motor responses. I am a big believer in a healthy body for a healthy mind,” said Corran.

Holmes Place was recently acquired by Virgin Active and all sites will be rebranded over the next six months.