For Unley’s EFM longest tenured member Viv Hood, 93, his beloved gym has been a shining light

Despite having a combined age of 312, these fitness buffs are putting youngsters to shame, committing their life to their gym and making lifelong friendships.

They say health is wealth, and for these gym junkies, that is nothing but the truth.

Unley’s EFM is home to a wide range of characters who believe having the club in their life has kept them going through the hardest of times.

Viv Hood, 93, one of the original members from the clubs inception back in 1991, says that through his fight of stage four melanoma and the passing of his wife, the club has filled the void.

“It was always a part and parcel to have some form of exercise in my life, I played Australian rules until I was 46,” he said.

Viv Hood, 93, Ross Wilson, 79, Jo Richardson, 64 and Bob Ebbs, 76, at the original EFM Health Club which was established 30 years ago this month. Picture: Tom Huntley

“When I lost my wife seven and half years ago, the gym now fills in the day which otherwise would be very vacant.

“They’re all a very nice group of people and it’s become part of my life.”

Mr Hood started at the Oxford Terrace at the age of 63 and now estimates he has attended over 4000 sessions, with a total of four sessions a week and still shows no signs of slowing down.

“I still do a bit of cardio and weight work but not so much the floor work,” Mr Hood said.

“I do most of everything but just to a slightly restricted situation.”

The club is no stranger to it’s older members including Ross Wilson, 79, Jo Richardson, 64 and Bob Ebbs, 76, with EFM’s Chief executive officer Peter Rhodes saying their members are at the crux of their success.

“For the quality of life, it’s really amazing to go down there and train with them and see how fit they all are,” he said.

“Most of the people that go to the gym long term, it’s not only about the physical side it’s about the interaction and the culture and camaraderie they get also.”