She is 100 and still hitting the gym with 2 trainers: The fitness secrets behind a centenarian’s strength and longevity

While most 100-year-olds are celebrated with cake, candles, and perhaps a quiet afternoon nap, Mary Coroneos chose to mark her centennial birthday on the gym floor. At The Edge Fitness Club in Norwalk, Connecticut, balloons weren’t the only thing lifting spirits—Mary was lifting weights. Yes, real ones.

Known fondly among gym regulars as the “mayor of the gym,” Coroneos maintains a workout schedule that would challenge even the most motivated millennials. She trains multiple times a week—with not one but two personal trainers—targeting strength, mobility, and longevity. Her daughter, Athena, told the New York Post, “Trainers say to clients, ‘You have no excuse. We have a woman who is 100 years old who trains.’”

What’s in Her Routine?

Mary’s workouts aren’t about breaking records. They’re about breaking limits—especially the mental ones. With the help of her two trainers, each session is customized to balance exertion and energy, focusing on key areas like core stability, lower body strength, and flexibility.

She does high-rep sets of exercises using resistance bands, light weights, and strength machines, including seated rows, leg extensions, reverse flys, and pulldowns. One of her staple moves is the “sit to stand,” an exercise with massive implications for senior health. Research from 2014 found that adults over 50 who struggled to rise from a seated position without hand support were more likely to experience early mortality.

But Coroneos doesn’t just do it—she nails it.

The Power of Purpose

Her story isn’t just about muscles and machines; it’s about mindset. Coroneos, a former high school teacher, has never been interested in the stereotypical life of a senior. She prefers the energy of younger company, sidesteps senior centers entirely, and even maintains her famously flirtatious charm. “She loves men, and it’s never diminished,” Athena told The Post with a smile. Her connection to the gym is emotional and psychological, not just physical. “It’s a connection back to her body,” Athena adds. “It releases endorphins. It gets oxygenation. It’s just a positive social reinforcement for her.”

That social aspect is no small thing. The Harvard Study of Adult Development—one of the longest-running studies on human wellbeing—found that strong social ties are one of the best predictors of longevity.

What the Experts Say: Longevity Isn’t Just Luck

Mary’s approach aligns closely with science-backed longevity strategies. Italian-American biogerontologist Dr. Valter Longo, who leads the Longevity Institute at USC, has spent decades studying people who live past 100. His findings echo Mary’s lifestyle choices—moderate exercise, healthy eating, optimism, and strong community ties.

Speaking to CNBC Make It, Longo said, “I’d like to make it to 120. But whatever I get, it’s okay. At least I’ll have no regrets saying, ‘Well, I didn’t do all the right things.’”

Like Mary, Longo advocates for small meals rooted in plant-based nutrition, consistent movement, and a purpose-driven life. His “Longevity Diet” and focus on everyday physical activity mirror what Mary has done naturally: keep moving, stay curious, and eat well.

A Century in Motion

Coroneos’ early life also played a big role in shaping her lifelong relationship with activity. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania as the oldest of five siblings, she swam in creeks, climbed trees, and played endless games with her four brothers. At Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she earned varsity letters in both volleyball and basketball.

To this day, she takes only one prescribed medication—for hyperthyroidism—and supplements with calcium, vitamins C and D3, cranberry, and Ginkgo biloba. She avoids processed food, prefers small, whole-food-based meals, and yes, she still enjoys the occasional glass of Prosecco and root beer.

Her longevity doesn’t seem to be an accident—it’s a lifestyle.

Mary Coroneos may not be a scientist or a celebrity biohacker, but she’s living proof that the key to a long, healthy life might be a pair of two-pound dumbbells, a good attitude, and showing up even when it’s not easy.

So, next time you think you’re too tired, too old, or too busy to work out, remember Mary. At 100, she’s still finding joy in movement, building friendships at the gym, and chasing progress—not perfection.

Her advice? “This is the beginning. There’s always more that you can do and achieve. When people realize there’s more to life, they act accordingly.”

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