78-year-old woman stays active with N.S. kickboxing class

At 78-years-old, Maxine Silva isn’t pulling any punches – during her kickboxing workouts.

Maxine Silva was told she might need a hip replacement; instead, she decided to pick up a pair of boxing gloves and get to work on a punching bag.

“I was looking for different things I could do to revitalize this old body,” she said.

Silva found 30 Minute Hit, a Dartmouth, N.S., gym that focuses on full-body workouts for women.

“We have all skill levels and you go at your own pace,” said Michelle Ruggles with the gym. “We have members as young as 14.”

“It is fabulous,” said participant Shauna Crawley-Jordan. “When we come through the door, we can leave all of our concerns and worries behind.”

Silva said the exercises and the communal atmosphere help her as she strives to improve.

“The atmosphere here, the camaraderie of the women, it’s phenomenal,” she said. “I never thought in a million years that I would be doing boxing but now I’m like, look out.

“It’s made me remember who I am, that I have that inner strength that I’d forgotten, quite frankly.”

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