New Rochelle, NY – At 87 years old, Don Bunch defies expectations as he leads his Abs & Tone class at the New Rochelle YMCA. The moment the music starts, Don guides his class through a series of stretches, lifts, crunches, pushups, and twists, counting down each set with precision. He keeps pace with his students, using props like hand weights, exercise balls, and body bars, showing that age is no barrier to fitness.
Don has been teaching both abs and spin classes at the Y for the past six years. During a recent class, he wore a black cap, gym shorts, and a neon yellow shirt, socks, and shoes, with a small gold hoop earring dangling from his left ear. His fit, youthful appearance makes it hard to believe he’s 87.
“Working at the Y gives me the motivation to get up and get moving every day,” Don says. Though he retired from his 43-year career at Columbia University’s physics research facility in Irvington, NY in 2001, he teaches at the Y every day except Wednesday. “I never get tired of it.”
Don says what he loves most about the Y are the people. “They inspire me. They’re friendly, supportive, and they make things fun.”
His students feel the same way. Lisa Teddone, the Y’s Chief Financial Officer, is a regular in Don’s classes. “I came with some health issues, and I’ve never gotten hurt in his classes. He changes things up and makes it fun,” says Lisa, who works out with Don at least three times a week. “I feel lucky to have his classes to pull me away from my desk.”
Longevity seems to run in Don’s family. His mother lived to 96, and he hopes to continue teaching fitness classes for many more years. To see if you can keep up with Don, try his class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or visit nrymca.org for more information on the latest offerings at the Y.
