“At forty, I was what you would call Mr Average Businessman. I was out of shape, worked long hours as a Contracts Manager for Fletcher Construction, didn’t eat too well, and was overweight,” says Aucklander Ron Smith.
“One night, my boss and I were sitting in the office and having an after work gin and tonic. We started talking about how much exercise we did (or, rather, didn’t do). My boss suggested I have a look at all the gyms, pick the best one and we would join.”
This was 1971, before the gym craze started - there were only two gyms in Auckland. The Businessmen’s Health Club under Morrie Rendle was just starting in the basement under the YMCA in Grey’s Avenue. We decided to sign up.
That was forty years ago. Ron has just turned eighty and been an active member of the YMCA all this time. He still works out three times a week (to leave time for golf) for up to 2 and a half hours combining cardio with weights.
“During those forty years the Y turned a very unfit forty year old into a gym junkie who worked out every day. I had my daily exercise plan, plus (from Mondays to Fridays) a few laps of running or walking around the Y’s hall.
“I was pushed by one of the instructors, Barry Hislop, into running in the first Around the Bays Run on the 9th of March 1974. This started from the Auckland Town Hall, down Queen Street to St Heliers. We thought we were doing so well with 900-plus runners. Look at it now!
I then became one of the first members of the YMCA Marathon Club. During the next twenty years Ron ran three full marathons, with a best time of 2 hours 53 minutes and 3 seconds at Wiri in 1981; many half marathons and fun runs. After retiring in 1991 he transferred to the North Shore YMCA.
“When I had a hip replacement five years ago, I had to stop running. But getting back into the gym really helped my recuperation. I thought ahead and spent time tuning up my leg muscles and quads before going into surgery. Afterwards, I got back onto the exercise bike and slowly worked my way back into it. After 18 months, I was back to my usual routine.
“But this is not about me - it’s about an organisation, the YMCA, an organisation that quietly works in the community without a lot of fuss to help families and individuals lead a healthier and fuller life. I am in no doubt that without the help of many, many individuals at the Y; I would not be enjoying my eightieth year.
When I ask some of my friends why they don’t go to the gym, they tell me it’s too late for them. I tell them that whatever your age, it’s never too late to start - and why not at the North Shore YMCA."