The unusual gym man 老年健身達人

黃園園

運動不分年齡，正如本文中的主人公一樣，盡管已經92歲，他卻仍然堅持運動，享受著運動帶來的樂趣。

Lloyd Black decided to join the Anytime Fitness gym in Semmes， Alabama last year after he found himself struggling to finish simple household tasks. The 92-year-old man hoped that joining a gym might help him build strength and reduce his aches and pains. Over the past year， Black has been faithfully coming to the gym three times a week. His overalls （工裝褲） really catch plenty of attention. He says that he prefers to wear overalls during his workouts because they are comfortable.

When Black first joined Anytime Fitness， gym manager Ashley Seaman says he could barely last 10 minutes on the treadmill （跑步機） without becoming winded. Now， however， the senior can effortlessly do power walking for thirty minutes before moving on to his workout routine. According to Seaman， Black has become a valued member of the gym through his dedication to improving his personal fitness， his helpfulness and his genuine warmth toward other members. As a means of praising Black for his advance， Seaman recently named Black “Member of the Month”.

He also takes time to help other seniors new to the gym learn how to use the weightlifting machines. “He’s just a friendly soul. He will go to the other elderly members and show them how to use the machines，” Seaman shared in a post on the gym’s Facebook page. “Someone like him always encourages others to keep it up and include fitness in their life，” the post reads. “Seeing him work out three times a week in his overalls brightens our day！” While Black is not currently a member of Facebook to see the reaction to the post， he has received local attention for his fitness journey.

As a result of his work at the gym， Black finds it easier to mow （割） the seven acres of grass at his house and work in his woodworking shop. He experiences less daily discomfort and moves more easily. He always says， “Age is just a number and it doesn’t mean you can’t get into the gym.”

Reading Check

1. What makes Black draw much attention of the gym members？

A. His pace.

B. His clothes.

C. His age.

D. His appearance.

2. Black won the name “Member of the Month” because of his? ? _________? .

A. physical state

B. operational skills

C. willingness to help others

D. great progress in workouts

3. How did Seaman describe Black in his post？

A. He’s inspiring.

B. He’s proud.

C. He’s moody.

D. He’s demanding.

4. What can we learn from Black’s story？

A. It’s never too late to take exercise.

B. Walk after dinner and live to ninety-nine.

C. The stronger the body， the more intelligent the brain.

D. Practise running daily， getting younger.

Language? Study

Sentence for writing

He says that he prefers to wear overalls during his workouts because they are comfortable. 他說，他更喜歡在鍛煉時穿工裝褲，因為它們穿起來很舒服。

【信息提取】prefer to do sth意為“更喜歡做某事”。

【句式仿寫】捐贈者希望不留姓名。（匿名的 anonymous）

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