Army veteran, 93, credits physical activity as the secret to his long life, says it can make a real difference (exclusive)
“I still believe that staying active and keeping your body strong can make a real difference,” Leonard “Lenny” Bergman tells PEOPLE
NEED TO KNOW
- A 93-year-old man says the secret to his long life is staying fit
- “I still believe that staying active and keeping your body strong can make a real difference,” Leonard “Lenny” Bergman tells PEOPLE
- Bergman — a father to three children, a grandfather to seven grandchildren and a great-grandfather to four great-grandchildren — served in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant and Personnel Management Specialist, and he later worked as a jeans vendor
An elderly man says the secret to his longevity is staying in tip-top shape.
Leonard “Lenny” Bergman was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in August 1933. He served in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant and Personnel Management Specialist, and he later worked as a jeans vendor.
The now-93-year-old tells PEOPLE that one thing that keeps him going in his later years is staying on top of his fitness and overall health routines.
“Weight training has been an important part of my life for many years. I am passionate about it,” Bergman says. “When I was working, I would go to the gym every morning from 5:30 to 6:30 before work specifically to lift weights.”
“I’ve always enjoyed strength training and believed in the importance of staying physically active, and as I’ve gotten older, maintaining my health has become even more important to me,” he adds. “I still believe that staying active and keeping your body strong can make a real difference. Taking care of myself physically has always been a priority, and it continues to be today.”
Bergman — who is a current resident at The Bristal at North Woodmere on Long Island — tells PEOPLE there are also other aspects he credits as the secret to his long life.
“Having a good sense of humor helps keep me young,” he says. “I also make an effort to stay informed about current events, stay social and involved, and most importantly, stay connected with my family.”
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“My wife, Hilda, and I have three children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Watching our family grow over the years has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” Bergman details. “Family has always been the most important thing to me.”
“I’m very proud of the family we’ve built, and spending time with them and watching our family continue to grow brings me a great deal of happiness,” he adds.
Bergman similarly credits others in his life for helping him make it to his 90s. He explains, “I’ve always enjoyed being around other people. I think continuing to be interested in the world around you, enjoying people and keeping family close all make a difference.”
