On the Avenida del Peronné industrial estate in Salobreña there is a centre where a group of seniors are discovering are busy building up their strength and agility and are focused on looking after themselves.

Origen Trainer was founded by Alejandro Guirado. He is a gym instructor who has been able to change his students’ attitude from “I don’t think I can do it any more” to “Look what I can do!”

Alejandro explains he began with a small class that attended classes twice a week on the Costa Tropical of Granada.

People who are injured, have fears, or have not exercised for years. But they also want to change. Alejandro says that at the end they liked it so well that they now come to class three days per week, and are even asking for an extra day.

He explains that everyone has their own discomfort. If an exercise hurts me, I will change it. I try to find another exercise that will do the exact same thing, but without hurting them. “They love it: that everything is tailored to their needs”.

Classes run from 10.30am to 11.30am. They follow the same format: a warm-up to get your joints moving; strength training focusing on everyday movements – lifting an object off the floor, squatting – followed by a cardio session to raise the heart rate and end with laughter.

They sometimes work alone, and other times in pairs. This gym’s key feature is how older people are treated. Alejandro claims that, unlike in a normal gym, everyone knows when your knee is hurting. He is interested in everyone, asks them questions and knows their names. He admits that it’s “almost like a relationship with a family”. “We care about each person, their development and how they feel.

It is easy to understand why Paco, the oldest member in the group at 77 years old, thought he’d never be able walk again due to a severe knee injury from a motorbike crash. He couldn’t jump more than ten centimetres. He can now jump 60 centimetres. The sports coach says, “It is impressive to see him”.

Stories of those who have trained here speak for them. Paqui Jerónimo, who was nervous about starting because she had given up Pilates due to back problems, says that it has changed her daily life: “I never thought I would like it so much. Now I am doing three days a week. I began with two and have now increased to three. I can tell you this: I don’t even think about anything. Not about my husband or food. I am just doing what I want. “For me, it’s like a form of therapy.”

Josefina recalls how she could not open a large glass bottle before. “Now, I can open the bottle without any problem,” she laughs. “I used get tired walking and now I am walking more than ever before. I feel more agile and stronger. The group… is the best! “We are having a good time. To be honest, it’s getting better each day”.

Pepe García started almost out of obligation – “my wife brought me”, he don’t do sport you lose everything. Balanc, with a chuckle, admits that we are doing strength and elasticity. But today, he’s delighted. “If you don’t exercise, you lose your health. We work on strength, flexibility, balance… it’s all very visible. A group is also more fun. “Seeing others work hard motivates you”.

This centre is built on the pillars that are effort, friendship, and humor. The group shares recipes, talks about healthy foods, updates on progress and supports each other during bad days. Alejandro claims that “sport is the fountain of youth”. He adds: “Sport brings you health, reduces anxiety, stress, improves mobility and well-being. It’s not a bad thing. It has many advantages.

He encourages everyone to try it, but especially the older generation. “Let them do it anywhere, but make sure they take care of themselves. They will be told to do it by the doctor sooner or later if they wait. It is better to begin because you are motivated to do so, rather than because you feel you have no choice.

In this training centre, they have demonstrated that there is never an age limit to getting fit, to laughing while you exercise, or to surprising yourself. Even at 70 years old, your body can still change, your mind can become clearer, and you can regain energy.