A 93-year-old gym regular says daily workouts keep her feeling 50. She credits exercise, beans, and family for her long life.
Cecilia Gomez, a vibrant 93-year-old grandmother from New York, is a living testament to the benefits of an active lifestyle, social engagement, and healthy eating. Every weekday, without fail, she can be found at Gold’s Gym in Smithtown, dedicating hours to her fitness routine. Describing her gym visits as “like my religion,” Gomez embraces a regimen that includes weight training and cardio exercises, often using three to five-pound dumbbells and marching in place. Her commitment to fitness has earned her the title of SilverSneakers Member of the Year for 2025, highlighting her dedication to staying spry and active. Gomez’s daughter, Pat Schneider, notes her mother’s competitive spirit, recalling how she was always picked first for dodgeball in her youth. This zest for activity continues to define her, as she claims to feel like she is in her 50s, stating, “I can play soccer, I play basketball, I do whatever.”
In addition to her rigorous exercise routine, Gomez attributes her longevity and vitality to a nutritious diet rich in beans, vegetables, and fruits. Beans, a staple in her meals, are recognized for their health benefits, particularly in promoting longevity, as they are a common food source in the so-called Blue Zones—regions known for their high concentration of centenarians. Along with beans, she enjoys plantains and oranges, both of which provide essential nutrients that contribute to heart health and immune support. Gomez’s healthy eating habits, combined with her active lifestyle, showcase the significant anti-aging benefits of consuming whole foods filled with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which help ward off diseases and promote overall well-being.
Moreover, Gomez’s strong social connections play a crucial role in her longevity. Living with her daughter, she maintains an active social calendar, engaging with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and participating in community activities such as singing in the church choir. Schneider emphasizes that these social interactions are vital to her mother’s health, stating that they provide her with a sense of purpose and routine, even during challenging times. Gomez’s resilience is evident; despite facing health challenges that led her to the hospital, her determination to return to the gym remains unwavering. “Oh no, no, I have to get to the gym,” she insists, showcasing her commitment to maintaining her active lifestyle. Through her example, Gomez inspires others to prioritize fitness, nutrition, and social engagement as keys to a fulfilling and energetic life, regardless of age.
93-year-old grandmother Cecilia Gomez love socializing, going to the gym, and eating a (mostly) healthy diet.
Courtesy of Cecilia Gomez
A 93-year-old woman goes to the gym five days a week, sometimes for hours at a time.
She said her routine of exercise, socializing, and healthy eating makes her feel decades younger.
Follow her example by lifting weights, building a strong community, and eating more beans and veggies.
From Monday to Friday, without fail, you’ll find 93-year-old Cecilia Gomez in the gym.
“It’s like my religion, for me to go there,” she said.
The New York-based grandmother has been a staple at the Gold’s Gym in Smithtown from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each weekday for decades.
“I’m in almost perfect condition. I feel like I’m 50,” she told Business Insider. “I can play soccer, I play basketball, I do whatever.”
Take her advice for a long life full of energy: socialize regularly, eat healthy, and (most importantly)
get consistent exercise
.
“When people say ‘I want to be like you,”‘ I say, ‘ Welcome to the gym.'” Gomez said.
Exercise for staying spry
Gomez said she’s proud to be the oldest in her workout classes.
Her 60-year-old daughter, Pat Schneider, said Gomez is more than a little competitive — in her youth, she was always picked first for dodgeball and spent much of her childhood free time outdoors.
These days, her typical workout includes a mix of
weight training and cardio
exercises, such as pressing three to five-pound dumbbells overhead and marching in place.
Cecilia Gomez was named a SilverSneakers member of the year for 2025 to recognize her dedication to exercise.
Courtesy of Cecilia Gomez
Gomez attends classes through SilverSneakers, an exercise program for adults 65 and older (available at no cost with eligible Medicare plans). She recently received a Member of the Year award for her commitment to fitness.
The program helps train
balance and stability
, good longevity traits for any age, but particularly for older adults to prevent fall injuries, SilverSneakers instructor Andi Kwapien previously told Business Insider.
A surprising superfood
Outside the gym, Gomez said her other key to healthy living is eating well.
Beans are a staple food in her diet, often with rice and vegetables. The humble legume is linked to major longevity benefits, as a major food source in
Blue Zones
, regions with some of the longest-living people on Earth.
Gomez also enjoys other produce like plantains (a good source of potassium which supports heart health) and oranges (rich in vitamin C that helps bolster the immune system.)
The nutrients in whole foods, particularly those from plants, offer significant
antiaging benefits
. Vitamins, minerals, and fiber help stave off diseases like cancer and cardiovascular illness, and protect the brain and body over time.
Strong social connections for longevity
Gomez has a busy social calendar that her daughter said is a major factor in her good health and high energy.
“That’s actually a key to her longevity, is that she’s always active with everyone. The grandkids, great grandkids. She’s never alone,” Schneider said.
Gomez and Schneider live together, and every Sunday, the extended family comes together for dinner. Her
longevity-boosting social life
also includes singing in the church choir, chatting with friends before and after the gym.
The community is part of what keeps Gomez going, providing a sense of purpose and routine through illness.
“She’s been in the hospital various times, and they think that she’s not going to make it. And she’s like, ‘Oh no, no, I have to get to the gym,'” Schneider said. “It really has made a huge difference.”
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