A three-mile run on the treadmill, a muscle-conditioning class and a set of 200 sit-ups are all part of Anna Sudman’s normal exercise routine at Ten X Club in West Roxbury. To most people, that would be a substantial workout. For a 90-year-old woman, it’s remarkable.
“It’s not normal,” said the club’s general manager, Steve McKinney. “The other members call her an inspiration.”
Sudman, who was born Feb. 28, 1920, became a member of the club on VFW Parkway in West Roxbury when it was a Gloria Stevens Fitness Center. She said she joined with a group of friends about 30 years ago, and the welcoming atmosphere has kept her coming back faithfully: two hours every morning, five days per week.
With a fitness regimen that would put many younger people to shame, Sudman is a testament to the idea that attitude can mean more than age when it comes to a person’s well-being.
“It makes me feel good,” she said. “What am I going to do in the house?”
Although Sudman is dismissive about her athletic prowess, she is clearly an energetic person by nature.
When she was growing up, living on Maywood Street in Roxbury, the word “fitness” was not part of the vernacular, but getting lots of exercise came with the territory. “I was always out with the boys, playing kick-the-ball and climbing trees,” Sudman said.
“We always kept busy as kids,” she added. “As my own kids were growing up, we went to the Y … That’s about it.”
She explained that now, going to the gym keeps her busy. But as she raved about the classes and the friendly staff, it was apparent that the gym has become more than just a distraction. Her dedication to fitness is as much about her dedication to community.
While she described how much she enjoys cardio kickboxing and spinning, she was more interested in talking about individual friends and family, including her three children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Even her childhood memories revolved around friends in the neighborhood, like a story about when she and the local boys would sneak through a fence behind a bakery to scavenge leftover goodies that were dumped into flour barrels at the end of the day.
Today Sudman is better known for giving away baked goods that she makes herself.
“Every Monday, there is something in the break room from Anna,” said McKinney. “She makes cakes for everyone’s birthdays.”
