Until last year pensioners Alan and Valerie Boreham, from Dronfield Woodhouse, had never set foot in a gym. But after giving it a go 76-year-old Alan and 74-year-old Valerie now keep active at their local leisure centre three times a week, and say you are never too old to start.

Both are regulars at Chairobics and low impact circuit training sessions at Dronfield Sports Centre, and they also use the gym to work up a sweat on the treadmill, cross trainer and rowing machine.

The couple, who have both suffered various health problems, first tried the gym after being referred by their doctor in Sheffield, and six months ago began using Dronfield Sport Centre, where they receive help and advice from Mark Walsham, Health Referral Operations Officer for North East Derbyshire District Council.

Valerie said: “I would recommend it to anyone. I suffer with arthritis, a recurring back problem and angina – I’m the original creaking gate – but exercise helps. It also makes your whole outlook on life different, you feel good all over.

“We used to go walking, but never dreamt of going into a gym – that was for young people!”

Alan added: “The first time we did chairobics we thought it was going to be a doddle – you wouldn’t think you could do so much exercise sitting on you bottom!

“I enjoy it. I’m the only chap in the group, but I don’t mind if it’s going to do me good.”

Alan had heart surgery in 1996 which saw him have his aortic valve replaced, and Valerie has had stents placed in her arteries. But instead of feeling held back by their health problems they both say they feel fitter and healthier as a result of doing more exercise.

Valerie said: “It is easy to stay home and do nothing, but that can just makes things worse.

“My mobility has improved. Going to the gym also helped lay a ghost to rest – I didn’t like the treadmill because when I went to the hospital with heart problems they put me on a treadmill. But now I look at the treadmill in a different way, it’s not in a hospital environment and they’re not testing you, it’s helping you.”

Alan said: “It is just about making that initial effort and going in and speaking to someone. When we first started we had a programme arranged for us and after two or three weeks we had our blood pressure checked to see how our body reacted to exercise, so we felt reassured and looked after.

“Age is just a number – it’s your attitude that counts! We couldn’t recommend it enough.”