INUVIK - Even Stephen Harper, during his visit here in August, commented on how great Gulshan Esmail looks.

Community health representative Crystal Navratil joined a few of her most faithful participants in the Elders' Fitness Program on Tuesday. From left, William Allen, Gulshan Esmail, Shirley Rabey and Alex Elanik. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

According to Esmail, the pair were drum dancing together at the community centre when the prime minister asked the vibrant woman about her age.

"I told him I was 77-years-old and he laughed and couldn't believe it," she said.

Lean and with energy to burn, Esmail, who turned 78 on Tuesday, looks like a woman about 20 years her junior. Just last week she got another clean bill of health at her annual checkup.

She believes her secret to staying young lies in staying active. She's among the 20 or so people who participate in the Elders' Fitness Program Wednesday and Friday afternoons at the Midnight Sun Complex gym.

With the guidance of community health representative Crystal Navratil, participants show up at the weight room and choose a workout they're comfortable with.

For Esmail, who Navratil said can keep up with her any day of the week, she goes the full two hours from treadmill to crunches to leg presses.

"It keeps me happy, healthy," said Esmail. "It's always so nice to have Crystal around to help us out."

Others come to rehabilitate after an injury, some for a brisk treadmill walk among friends.

Navratil has been running the program for the last six years. A regular gym member, she continues to be in awe of Esmail as well as several others who've steadily progressed over the years.

William Allen, 72, joined the group a couple of years ago and at the time could barely make it up the set of stairs leading to the gym. Now he handles a 20 minute brisk treadmill walk with ease.

That's what makes it all worthwhile for Navratil.

"You can redevelop lost muscle mass, which is so important as you get older," she said. "They come here and are motivated and are always willing to try something new.

"I love the fact that they come up those massive stairs to get here. I tell them 'you just finished your warm up,'" she said with a laugh.

The program is designed to improve mental and physical well-being. With strength and cardiovascular training comes better flexibility and co-ordination. This decreases the chance of falls, the consequences of which can be very serious for the elderly.

Navratil also organizes an elders swimming program on Thursdays, which also attracts the faithful. For both programs, she picks up and drops off anyone interested in the service.

She's not about to refuse anyone who'd like to join in the fun.

Navratil can always rely on Esmail, who has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

"I love it," she said. "I like this town and I'm very happy and I'll be forever here in Inuvik."

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