Lilly Putziger swims during The Vi retirement community’s triathlon. The event was part of The Vi’s celebration of Active Aging Week. (Photo by Kevin Beese/for Chronicle Media)

At 77 years of age, Ellen Hofman spends 30 minutes a day on an Elliptical machine, works out at the Glenview Park District’s Fitness Center three times a week, and goes walking every day.

“It is so important to be active,” said Hofman, a resident of The Vi retirement community in Glenview.  “It is putting years on your life.”

Hofman was one of a handful of residents to compete Sept. 29 in the retirement community’s version of a triathlon: working out on a NuStep bicycle machine, walking or running on a treadmill, and walking or swimming in the facility’s pool. The triathlon was just one of a host of activities The Vi conducted during Active Aging Week.

The goal of the week’s activities was to inspire individuals to try something new and perhaps adopt a wellness focus in all areas of life.

The triathletes’ time working out was included in the Vi Nationwide Fitness Challenge called “Minutes in Motion,” where residents’ fitness minutes for September at all 10 Vi communities nationwide were tabulated to determine gold, silver and bronze medalists.

Hofman said while maintaining an active lifestyle is the goal of her working out, a little hardware wouldn’t be bad either.

“I am very competitive … I do like medals,” Hofman smiled.

Viviane Clemens, personal trainer at the Glenview retirement community, said physical activity is vital for seniors to have a healthy lifestyle.

“I think it’s the youth pill,” Clemens said of exercise for seniors. “It’s better than medicine. It keeps you strong. It keeps you balanced. It keeps you coordinated. Hopefully, it keeps your blood pressure in check, your cholesterol in check, your blood sugar levels in check. It is the fountain of youth as far as I’m concerned.”

She said The Vi triathlon was something fun for seniors to do. She said if you make a game out of exercise, seniors are less likely to focus on the difficulties and more likely to participate.

Seniors competing in the triathlon did a quarter mile on the treadmill, the NuStep at their own pace and then walked or swam in the facility’s pool.

Clemens said the annual triathlon introduces some seniors to the center’s fitness facility for the first time.

“It introduces them to the equipment,” Clemens said. “They are like ‘Oh, I can do this’ and it is like ‘Yeah, you can do this.’”

Leo Gallan, 91, works out on the NuStep exercise machine during The Vi retirement community’s triathlon in Glenview as Vi personal trainer Viviane Clemens stands behind him and monitors his progress. (Photo by Kevin Beese/for Chronicle Media)

She said the pampering that seniors get at the Glenview retirement community is a double-edged sword.

“You don’t have to clean anymore. You don’t have to cook anymore. You don’t have to do anything anymore,” Clemens said, “but then you end up getting weak because you’re not gardening anymore. You’re not mowing anymore.”

She said working out helps seniors keep their independence. Residents at The Vi, she said, want to stay out of the care center portion of the retirement community. To do that, they have to stay active, Clemens said.

Vi resident Leo Gallan, 91, said staying active really helps his health. He said he tries to work out three days per week at the retirement community’s fitness center and takes stretching classes two other days.

“I have an appetite for breakfast. I skip lunch most of the time,” Gallan said, promoting the benefits of working out, “and I have a good dinner. “

The Long Island, N.Y. native said he regularly walks to the nearby Glen shopping plaza to get a haircut and to pick up groceries.

“Once I can’t do that, I know I’m finished,” Gallan said.

Vi resident Lilly Putziger swims on Saturdays and Sundays and takes Clemens’ exercise classes during the week.

The 87-year-old Vienna, Austria native said she swam and walked a lot when younger. Before hitting the treadmill during the Vi triathlon, Putziger stressed the importance of seniors staying active.

“If you want to stay well, you have to exercise,” Putziger said.

Read the current issue of the Cook County Chronicle

Free subscription to the digital edition of the Cook County Chronicle

—  Senior community promotes physical activity to help residents bloom —