96-year-old Jean Stewart credits strength training with keeping her independent

Jean Stewart, 96, trains at the Desert Fitness Collective in Palm Springs and says strength training has allowed her to remain independent: “Without strength training I wouldn’t be alive,” she says.

Stewart was active in her youth but found everyday tasks became harder with age. Aged 81 she read about a local CrossFit gym and began training with owner Cheryl Cohen. Back then Stewart was Cohen’s only client older than 60; the outlet says Cohen now specialises in classes for older adults to help them stay independent. Early sessions focused on practical movements such as getting up and down from the ground and walking while carrying 4kg kettlebells, with weights increasing over time.

She quickly progressed to full‑body press‑ups and long planks, and by 83 could deadlift 70kg. Her progress was later interrupted by MRSA, a serious car accident that left her with numbness in her feet and two months of rehabilitation, a fall while walking her dog, and surgery for a broken hip at 91. She says she continued exercising and “got the strength back.”

Stewart can now prune her plants, rise from a chair and help herself up if she falls. She can no longer deadlift because of spinal stenosis but still trains twice a week with elevated push‑ups, kettlebell squats and pushing a weight‑loaded sledge. She encourages friends who think they are too old to start and tells younger people: “Make time. Do what you need to do to live longer.”

Key Topics

Health, Jean Stewart, Palm Springs, Desert Fitness Collective, Cheryl Cohen, Crossfit