A fitness center carefully designed for retirees is marking five years in Ajijic, and the first anniversary in its current location.
Like many of the slick clubs north of the border, Super Senior Fitness has a defined target audience but that’s where the similarity ends.
Forget today’s gyms filled with banks of spinning bikes and machines that push, pull and tug clients through workouts in a hyped-up atmosphere. Ron Krayewski offers full body workouts with 4x4’s and steps for balance, sledge hammers for pounding a tire, a sled to push and pull, and some standards including weights, gym rings, bands, balls, and bags for kickboxing.
A “senior strength and conditioning specialist,” Krayewski has designed his space to help clients get stronger and have more confidence to continue maintaining their daily routine.
As Krayewski encouraged client Nick Nelson on a counterweighted chin up, pull-up machine, his wife, Catherine (Cat) Cole, explained the couple’s working methods.
“While our techniques are all up to date, we tend to work with equipment that Ron has developed or adapted for our clients,” she said while pulling down an apparatus that looked a bit like a couple of interlocked giant rubber bands.
Cole adjusted the bands around her mid-section and kept talking as she completed a half-dozen full pushups. “Most women can’t do a full push up,” she said. “We just don’t have the upper body strength. This band shares my weight so I can have the benefit of doing the movements without the strain. We use an inclined ramp for sit ups to take the pressure off of the back.”
By adapting existing equipment for older users, and finding innovative and fun ways for seniors to exercise, Krayewski has created a functional gym that simulates the things seniors do in daily life.
“Not many people in the over-60s crowd want to develop huge biceps and giant thighs,” Krayewski noted. “It would be a waste of space and money to fill this place just with large muscle building machines when what clients want requires compound muscle and isolation exercise.”
Krayewski started in fitness and training when he graduated from university with a degree as a strength and conditioning specialist, his wife explained. “He has a black belt in karate; actually we both do, but he is at the third black belt level. Over the years he’s taken dozens of short and long-term courses and classes and has received many certifications to teach specific skill sets.”
Cole, who is also a certified fitness instructor, picked up a 10-pound bell from the array that ringed the mirrored room and began pulling and swinging between her knees. “Looks easy, right? I’m getting a good workout of my posterior chain, my lower back, butt and the back of my upper legs. And that builds that kind of strength and confidence we need to carry groceries, walk dogs, and sling baskets of wet laundry.”
The couple owned a chain of fitness clubs called Lady Fitness across Canada before coming to lakeside and are pleased how the business is developing here.
“This is an unusual concept. There’s nothing like it in this area and it may be new to the rest of Mexico,” said Krayewski. “We are purposely staying small to maintain the flexibility to work with some of our clients one-on-one, and with others in specifically focused small groups.”
The trainer explained that directed workouts can really help with specific health concerns. Krayewski has been working for four years to help a woman with osteoporosis gain strength. Her doctors are seeing improvements in her bone scans.
Krayewski talked of a group of four tennis players who want to work on building strength to help them on the courts. “I’m a player too, so I can direct them to that goal. I’m also working on balance with a guy with MS, and another guy who wants to develop big arm muscles.”
Added Cole: “Unless people are used to a gym, we really recommend one-on-one sessions for a month. Then the groups are really fun and energizing. Our women’s groups have built a lot of camaraderie and everyone has so much fun. We include a free week’s training for new groups of four.”
With winter approaching, the couple advise early booking.
“Last winter we were completely booked up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” Krayewski said. “We’re retired too, so to keep our afternoons free, we’re hoping to find another qualified trainer to help out.”
Super Senior Fitness is at Carretera 12, on the south side, near the intersection with Juarez in Ajijic. The sign is small so look for the turquoise wall and white front fencing. Those interested in trying out this new way to stay strong, active and flexible can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (33) 3458-1980 for a free consultation.