One-legged talks and rubber bands — how a PE teacher built a retiree brotherhood of fitness in Gqeberha

At 84, Johan Calitz isn’t slowing down – and he’s making sure others don’t either.

In the quiet suburb of Sunridge Park in Nelson Mandela Bay, a small but spirited fitness revolution takes place every Monday morning. A group of 10 senior men – aged between 66 and 94 – gather under a tree at the St John Stella Londt Retirement Village to stretch, walk, balance and breathe. Their goal: staying healthy, staying mobile and ageing on their own terms.

It all started when Calitz, a retired physical education teacher and lifelong sportsman, moved into the village four years ago. He kept up his usual routine – daily runs and strength exercises – but noticed something was missing.

“I’ve always been active, from very early in my youth. I was a gymnast until 27, took up swimming, tennis, running and all kinds of sporting activities. So, when I got here, I just carried on with something I was already used to,” says the man who takes his walks with a whistle hanging around his neck. One of the many initiatives Calitz started was the Londt Park Archery Club.

While women residents participated in a Wednesday fitness class, the men had no equivalent. Calitz decided to start a Monday morning group – and it caught on.

“I then got the idea to start a men’s active club, and to my surprise, they showed up, until there were 10 of us. The oldest member is 94 and the youngest is 66,” he said proudly.

Every Monday morning the men arrive in comfortable clothing and shoes, gathering at their usual meeting spot – a shaded area with benches and a table under a tree. Before any stretching or movement begins, Calitz leads them in a “one-legged talk”, a short motivational session that also trains balance. The men all stand on one leg for the talk. 

“People lose their balance as they grow older, that’s why for about a minute, while I motivate them and explain what we’ll be doing, I ask them to stand on one leg, to promote balance control.”

A warm-up session follows, before they move into a short round of tai chi, a Chinese martial art that has evolved into a gentle exercise and meditation practice.

“This is to promote focus and mobility. It may look easy, but it’s actually quite difficult, with health benefits like improved balance, coordination and flexibility, as well as stress reduction and increased energy.”

The final part of the session is circuit training, tailored to each man’s individual fitness level. To track their laps they use rubber bands as a simple memory aid.

“As you grow older, your memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be, hence the rubber bands,” Calitz explained.

For many in the group, the sessions have led to visible, even life-changing results. Michael Hart (85) said he no longer needs the walking stick he once relied on.

Hart used a walking stick before joining the sessions 11 weeks ago, but after just a few sessions he proudly packed it away. “I don’t need it anymore, my balance is still not where it needs to be, but I can walk and run without that stick!” 

Nursing services manager at St John’s Ansunette Dickason said that since the sessions started she has never seen her patients looking happier. “My goodness, they smile more and are looking more handsome by the day, it’s incredible,” she laughed. 

“They are coming out of their shells and speaking to each other more. For them this is fun and gives them a little boys club, while the women do their own knitting and exercises too.” 

The centre’s managing director, Ronwynne Fourie, said: “The men are certainly getting stronger – one gentleman had breathing difficulties, but since joining the sessions he experiences none of that anymore.

“Others have transitioned from bench push-ups to normal push-ups. At first we panicked, thinking one of them will have a heart attack, but they’re coping just fine, enjoying it all even!” 

A resident with dementia had also joined the group. 

“He used to be a big sportsman, hiking up Kilimanjaro, Everest, and accomplishing great things. It’s good to see the social aspect – I commend Johan for all his effort.” 

Laurie Marx (92) also spoke about the benefits – and the challenge.

“I used to be a rugby referee in my youth, and walked every single morning, but my legs are still my weak point. This is why I enjoy the challenge of leg exercises – I push my legs, and the results are great.”

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His wife, Anna (88), takes part in the women’s Wednesday sessions.

“Living right and moving your body is very important at my age. I still drive my own car and everything,” Laurie said.

An unexpected reward 

For Calitz, the exercise regime is just one part of a broader philosophy of health and longevity.

Read more: End of work is the start of life — golden oldies embrace their twilight years

“My principles are exercise, a proper diet, pure, fresh air, sunshine, temperance, water and enough rest.”

But there’s another, more unexpected reward: friendship. The weekly sessions have created a space for community and connection.

“Some of these guys did not even know each other before this, but now they have become such good friends, and visit each other often. My wife passed on two years ago, but the friendship of these men also helps me – I’m very grateful and fulfilled,” he concluded.

Calitz does not hold any grudges against ageing. In fact, he embraces it, and is now even studying the natural transition from youth to old age.

“When we’re young we never think we will ever get old, until we do. But how we age is fully dependent on how we live in our youth. In my research, I have noticed that legs become a huge problem for old people. And when your legs don’t work, you’re stuck, literally. So, I would advise young people to work on their legs from very early on,” he said. DM