Bill Kober is beginning to get a bit of a reputation for his impressive press-ups
ByGeorge King
in Woodbridge
Age is just a number – and that's especially true of the super-sprightly Bill Kober.
The 98-year-old, who lives in Woodbridge, Suffolk, does at least 40 press-ups every day without fail – 20 in the morning and another 20 in the evening.
Despite his age, the pensioner is also partial to a bit of Pilates, and recently mastered the "crow" pose.
"Only in my later years have I realised that I've got this ability, and so I do it because I'm able to and, as they say, use it or lose it, and I don't want to lose it," he said.
"I want to be as fit as I can be."
Bill was a little upset when he could manage only 17 press-ups on his birthday
Among other benefits, press-ups can improve your upper body strength and core stability and strength. Over time, they can also help improve your ability to do everyday tasks.
But what's the key to the perfect push-up, according to Bill?
"A good straight back which gives you a nice tight buttock," he said.
"If I stuck £20 note in between your buttocks, you've got to grip over it so that no-one can take it."
According to the NHS, adults aged 65 and over should be physically active every day and do activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility at least two days a week.
They should also do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, such as swimming, if they are already active.
Doing regular exercise can reduce the risk of major illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer, and lower the risk of early death by up to 30%.
The 98-year-old is proving that age is just a number
While exercise has "never been important as such" to Bill, he acknowledges that he has always been active thanks to a career of hard, manual labour.
The dad-of-two spent two years in the Army, worked in the building trade developing houses, and spent 28 years – the bulk of his career - working in a factory.
The last 10 years of his working life, however, were somewhat more relaxed, driving students to and from a school in Ilford in a bus.
"I've never followed it religiously, but I dabbled in a little bit of weight training and I tried running, although I didn't like that very much," said Bill.
"But doing press-ups is what is keeping me breathing well. I do it until I can't do any more. And then I get up and relax, and that's it."
The father-of-two is already thinking about celebrating his 100th birthday in two years' time
Bill, who has been married to his wife for more than 75 years, was born in Mile End, east London, before being evacuated to the Cotswolds with his siblings during World War Two.
"In hindsight, it was the best two and a half years of my life. I really took to the place and I became a country boy," he said.
"I was away from the war as such, and I disliked London, so going away into the country and being on a farm and handling animals appealed to me."
These days, Bill enjoys the quiet life in Woodbridge, volunteering at the Long Shed community centre and making marquetry bookmarks and Viking chess boards.
He recently celebrated his 98th birthday and said he was hopeful he would still be doing his press-ups when he hits 100.
"The key to long life is getting good genes," he said.
"I've had good genes passed down to me, and obviously they're working well."
Listen: 98-year-old reveals secret to the perfect press-up
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