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INUVIK - At 76 years old, Gulshan Esmail doesn't look a day older than 60.

Her smile never seems to leave her face, even as she pedals an exercise bike at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex gym. She is one of many regulars at the Elders Fitness program. Every Wednesday and Friday afternoon, she gathers with other elders to exercise.

Community health representative Crystal Navratil, far left, provides advice and support for elders taking part in the Elders Fitness Program. Participants meet at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex gym every Wednesday and Friday afternoon for a workout. Shown here are, second from left, participants Shirley Rabey, Gulshan Esmail, Alex Elanik, and Peter Kiktorak. - Brodie Thomas/NNSL photo

"Every Wednesday and Friday I never miss it, and Thursdays I go swimming," said Esmail.

The Elders Fitness program is designed to help elders stay active by helping them get to and from the gym, as well as advising them on exercises and equipment.

Crystal Navratil, Inuvik's community health representative, manages the program. Her job is to help everyone learn how to properly use the machines. She teaches participants how to find their target heart rate and stay within that healthy zone. If anyone comes with an ache or a pain, Navratil suggests how to gently exercise that joint or muscle.

Esmail said often these aches and pains are a sign your body is calling out for more exercise, not less. She said you have to use your body or else you'll lose it.

"I had a pain in my shoulders but Crystal showed me an exercise and the pain is gone now," said Esmail.

Navratil creates a special workout program for each of the participants. She begins by asking them what part of their body they would like to work on. She said many of the elders want to focus on their legs because mobility is such an important issue for them, but it often grows from there as they get more involved.

"Everyone has their own thing they want to work or improve on," she said.

Alex Elanik is another regular. While Esmail likes a good cardiovascular workout, Elanik prefers to work on his joints and muscles. He does a simple exercise with thin sheets of elastic which gently work his muscles and joints.

The program is funded by the IRC. Recently all the regular participants got new gym clothes with the Elders Fitness logo. They also got towels, swimming trunks and tops and water bottles. Navratil looks after the water bottles at each meeting, making sure they are ready to go at each workout session.

Peter Kiktorak came to Elders Fitness for the first time last Friday. Navratil started him out on a machine designed to strengthen the legs.

"I'll come again because my legs are not very good lately," said Kiktorak.

Navratil picks everyone up and drops everyone off at the end of the program free of charge. The ride is especially important in the winter months when sidewalks and roads turn icy. She said she has lots of space available for more participants. The gym equipment may look intimidating, but Navratil hopes more elders will give it a shot.

"If there are any elders interested, please call us because we would love to have you join," she said.