Where does energy come from? When the mind and body are in good sync, you naturally feel full of vitality. 92-year-old Kawamura Kikuko has made swimming 2m twice a week a part of her daily rhythm, and lives a healthy life. While many people shy away from exercise after hip replacement surgery, Sugimoto Hiromi has steadily regained what she can do through hard work, and now has big dreams. We spoke to these two people, who have achieved physical and mental health by making attending Central Sports a part of their lives.
Swimming is the secret to good health. Received the "Nenrinpic Senior Citizen Award" at age 83
Kikuko Kawamura (Suminoe store)
Kikuko Kawamura of Suminoe Branch is 92 years old and still full of energy. She still enjoys swimming twice a week. She started working out at a sports gym when she was 2 years old. What made her decide to start going to the gym in the first place?
"While I was caring for my mother-in-law, my daughter suggested that I should start exercising to relieve stress. So I decided to try and change my inability to swim and began taking swimming lessons. I enjoyed improving my swimming skills little by little, and I still vividly remember the first time I was able to swim 25 meters."
Kawamura continued to enjoy swimming after that, but a major turning point came in 2015, when he was 83 years old. He participated in the 50m and 25m freestyle events at the Nenrinpics (National Health and Welfare Festival), and won the Senior Citizen Award on his first visit.
"This was the happiest moment since I joined Central Sports. I even received a plaque with a large design of the Kintai Bridge, which has become a very precious memory. 153 women participated in the swimming event, and seven of us, including myself, were in our 80s. I believe that I was able to participate and win this award thanks to my continued efforts at sports at Central."
Continue doing what you think is good for you. Daily habits are the key to good health
Kawamura-san is so full of energy that it's hard to believe he's 92 years old. He currently focuses his training solely on swimming. What has enabled him to continue swimming for so long?
"I believe in the saying that persistence is power, and I am the type of person who will continue doing something that I think is good. When I was in my 40s, I decided to do 50 sit-ups when I woke up in the morning, and I've still been doing that to this day. Similarly, I've been able to continue swimming because I think it's good for me. Now that I'm older, I can't go to the gym and do everything like I used to, but I can continue swimming even in old age. More than anything, swimming feels good."
Kawamura-san laughed and said that it feels weird to quit something you've started. He also pays attention to his diet, such as alternating between fish and meat, and told us that the shortcut to good health is to live a carefree life without worrying too much. His energetic attitude seems to encourage the customers who visit the Suminoe store.
"When I go swimming, people tell me, 'I'll try my best to stay healthy until that age, too,' or 'That's my goal,' and I feel happy. My future goal is to win the oldest person award at the Nenrinpics. If one is held in a neighboring prefecture, I'd like to participate and try to win."
One thing that made Kawamura happy recently was becoming the first platinum member at the Suminoe store. When asked about his future goals, he said, "I saw a person on TV who was 102 years old and still swimming in the pool three times a week. I want to be like that person." Central Sports will continue to support Kawamura, who continues to swim energetically.
Central was there during the days of recovery from surgery.
Hiromi Sugimoto (Ashiya store)
Hiromi Sugimoto has been working up a sweat at Central Sports since 1986 when the Ashiya branch opened as a corporate member, and since 2010 as an individual member. She has loved dance since she was young, and has always enjoyed a variety of dance styles, including jazz, street, and hip hop. She joined the club because she wanted to strengthen her core for dancing.
Sugimoto-san had been living a long and healthy life, but about seven years ago, he started to experience pain in his hip joint. Four years ago, unable to bear the pain any longer, he decided to undergo hip replacement surgery. Although the surgery was successful, the range of motion of his hip joint became limited and his muscles weakened, so he was discharged from the hospital using a cane.
"The pain went away after I had the surgery. But there were many things I could no longer do, and I wondered what to do from now on. But I decided to look forward and do what I can now."
Sugimoto worked hard on his rehabilitation after the surgery, as his joints would become stiff if he didn't move. He was discharged from the hospital just as the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading, and Central Sports was closed. One month after he was discharged from the hospital, the Ashiya store reopened with rules such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance in place. He participated in his favorite programs such as "Shape Pump" and "Fight Attack BEAT" as much as he could. He made an effort to make a comeback, incorporating stretching and machine training.
"Because the range of motion in my joints is limited, at first I couldn't even bend over. I asked if it was OK for me to participate even though I couldn't move like other people, and I took part in lessons. The instructor, who was a familiar face, welcomed me warmly, and I was able to move forward in my own way."
Dreams make life shine. Aiming to compete in the Honolulu Marathon
The turning point came when an instructor who knew Sugimoto's situation introduced him to personal training by trainer Kitamura. Trainer Kitamura, who is a licensed judo therapist, is knowledgeable about restoring hip function and suggested a variety of training options that were possible for Sugimoto given his current condition.
"At first, I did stretches to increase my range of motion and exercises to regain my muscles. I continued for a while, but I didn't see immediate results. But I trusted Dr. Kitamura and worked hard on the training he suggested. Then, after about six months, I was able to bend over!"
As I continued training after that, I started to feel more strength in my lower body and I was able to stand on one leg. I gradually started to be able to do the same movements as everyone else in "Shape Pump" and "Fight Attack BEAT", and I started to see big changes in my real life.
"I always had to hold onto the handrail when going up and down the stairs. I was especially scared when going down. I used to have to keep my feet together on each step, but now I can go down one step at a time with one foot. This is one of the most joyful memories I have of sharing with Professor Kitamura."
Trainer Kitamura actively incorporates Sugimoto's requests for dance and functional improvement and creates a training menu. For Sugimoto, who works hard on this menu every day, what kind of place is Central Sports and what are his thoughts on the future?
"It's a part of my life. It's been a routine for me for many years to come home from work, have a light meal, and then go to Central. Even on days when I'm not feeling well, I go because not going would be stressful. Recently, I've been particularly keen to run in the Honolulu Marathon, which I've always wanted to try. And dance is an essential part of my life! I have an annual recital coming up."
Sugimoto-san told us that the secret to enjoying life is to try anything and find what suits you and incorporate it into your life. And to broaden your horizons. Central Sports will continue to support Sugimoto-san as he continues to take on new challenges.