• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Living

102-year-old fitness instructor shares her advice to get active

0:52
102-year-old fitness instructor shares workout advice
Courtesy of Sean Tran of Elk Ridge Village Senior Living
ByYi-Jin Yu
April 09, 2023, 8:04 AM

At 102 years old, Jean Bailey is not slowing down.

Bailey, an independent living resident at Elk Ridge Village, a senior living community in Omaha, Nebraska, has been leading fitness sessions for her neighbors since the COVID-19 pandemic first started in 2020.

“We couldn't get out and so we just get out on our floor and started and it just got to be a habit,” Bailey explained in an interview with “Good Morning America,” adding that she’s been fitness instructing for at least 15 years now.

Editor’s Picks

Akin Akman shares workouts to help reach 2023 fitness goals

  • Jan 05, 2023

Resolution Reboot: Simple steps to stay motivated on your 2023 fitness goals

  • Jan 07, 2023

This 91-year-old from Alabama is the fitness inspiration we need

  • Feb 04, 2020
Jean Bailey, 102, has been leading fitness sessions at Elk Ridge Village Senior Living in Omaha, Nebraska for years.
Courtesy of Sean Tran of Elk Ridge Village Senior Living

Approximately 10 to 12 residents regularly attend Bailey’s class, which is held four times a week and involves various movements like circular foot stretches and arm swimming stretches. Although Bailey, a former 4-H leader, herself said she’s “kind of strict” about the moves, she encourages everyone to get started at their own pace and “just move.”

“You don't have to start out doing this as very strict. But, and we have a couple that -- one girl has had a stroke and and there's one who has arthritis -- and I just tell them to, I don't care what they do but move,” Bailey said.

Bailey's exercise classes feature various moves like arm stretches and foot rolls.
Courtesy of Sean Tran of Elk Ridge Village Senior Living

Related Articles

MORE: How this 75-year-old woman lost over 60 pounds, became a fitness influencer

Bailey said she doesn’t have a favorite move but emphasizes a holistic approach to moving the whole body.

“You just start with your chin on your chest and then you end up making circles with your head and you go to your arms and you go to your legs, you go to your back,” Bailey explained. “They're all really good, especially the moving parts of your knees and hips and that kind of thing. It's pretty important to keep those moving fully if you keep walking.”

Aside from staying active, Bailey, who previously owned a floral business, said she’s also keen on keeping up with the community at Elk Ridge Village and enjoys playing card games and dealing blackjack specifically.

At Elk Ridge Village, Bailey is known for her fitness classes and her flower arrangements.
Courtesy of Sean Tran of Elk Ridge Village Senior Living

Sean Tran, an operations director at Elk Ridge Village, has known Bailey ever since she moved in 14 years ago and said she is “very welcoming to everyone” and maintains a “very positive outlook.”

“She pretty much participates in almost every activity that we've got here. So everybody knows who she is and you can't help but want to hang out and spend some time with her. She's the sweetest,” Tran said.

Bailey said there's no secret to her longevity. The 102-year-old said in addition to staying active, she also likes to enjoy the occasional happy hour.
Courtesy of Sean Tran of Elk Ridge Village Senior Living

Related Articles

MORE: This 83-year-old TikTok influencer is all the fitness inspiration we need

As for the secret to her longevity, Bailey said she doesn’t think there’s been any steadfast formula.

“There isn't any secret. I bet probably genes has something to do with it, the fact that I've always been busy,” Bailey said. “I always have a saying for the girls before we start exercising and today was, 'The only way you can multiply happiness is to divide it.’”

Editor's note: This was originally published on March 14, 2023.

Related Topics

  • Fitness

Editor’s Picks

Akin Akman shares workouts to help reach 2023 fitness goals

  • Jan 05, 2023

Resolution Reboot: Simple steps to stay motivated on your 2023 fitness goals

  • Jan 07, 2023

This 91-year-old from Alabama is the fitness inspiration we need

  • Feb 04, 2020

Up Next in Living—

High school graduate paints portraits of classmates as graduation gift

June 17, 2025

Summer solstice 2025: When is the 1st day of summer?

June 16, 2025

June's full strawberry moon: See photos and what it means for your zodiac

June 11, 2025

High school athlete somersaults to track and field championship win

June 10, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News