The Soundtrack to a Strong Life

How one musician uses SilverSneakers® to fuel her passions

gayle king

To say that Gayle King has led an active life would be an understatement. After raising three children — including a pair of twins — she pursued a career as a musician, began running and weightlifting, and took up yoga. She even ran a half marathon at the age of 66.

Now, at 79, Gayle is a SilverSneakers powerhouse showing no signs of slowing down. You can find her exercising three days per week. The moves she learns in her workouts help to challenge and strengthen her core muscles. “It’s never boring,” says Gayle. “Every week we learn different moves — I could never do them on my own! I was never an athlete in high school or college, so it’s great having the discipline of a wonderful instructor.”

When movement fuels music

The muscle-boosting moves Gayle learns with SilverSneakers through Independence Blue Cross come in handy for this semiretired church organist. “Fitness is really important when you’re playing the organ,” Gayle explains. “You have to sit at the edge of the bench and support yourself with your abdominal muscles while your feet and your hands are moving at the same time. You need strong abs to keep yourself in balance.”

And, the discipline she’s learned through SilverSneakers helps to keep her keyboard skills in top shape. Right now, Gayle is rehearsing to accompany a high school choral group directed by her daughter. “I have to keep the music under my fingers,” she says. “It’s like muscle memory at the gym. Similar to how we do exercises by repetition, my fingers know where to go without me even looking at them.”

Invaluable friendship and fellowship

Gayle has passed down her love for music to her children and grandchildren, who are all professional musicians as well. Her granddaughter recently gave a bassoon recital at Carnegie Hall and her grandson is a jazz musician in Philly.

She also encourages her family to stay healthy and strong. “Our bodies are a temple,” she says, noting that she makes sure to practice her devotions before she heads to the gym. “The friendship and fellowship I find at SilverSneakers is invaluable to my mental and spiritual health.”

Did SilverSneakers® help to change your outlook on fitness? Send us your story at silversneakers.com/mystory.

The SilverSneakers fitness program is provided by Tivity Health, Inc., an independent company. ©2020. All rights reserved. Always check with your doctor before beginning a new type of exercise.