New York YMCA home to 100-year-old fitness star: 'She’s got a great spirit'

LONG ISLAND (PIX11) – Geraldine “Jerry” Leo is a living example, at least in her case, that age is just a number.  

She turned 100 this past April.  She doesn’t look it, and Jerry says she doesn’t feel it.  And she shows no signs of slowing down.

Jerry is the pride of Bay Shore’s Great South Bay YMCA.

Other members of the aerobics fitness class, half Jerry's age, watch in envy as the great-grandmother goes through her daily paces. She’s been crushing her workouts since the Y opened 34 years ago.  It’s her elixir of life. She explains, “The only thing I do is exercise faithfully. I don’t eat red meat, have a good diet, Mediterranean, they call it.”  

The Y’s Health and Wellness Director Despina Tenedorio is in awe of her centenarian gymnast. 

“She’s got a great spirit. We call her the President of the YMCA. She is religious with her workout. She doesn’t give up. She tries even harder and she pushes herself.”

The fitness fanatic is particularly fond of doing planks, an abdominal exercise younger gym members can hold for only two to three minutes, but not Jerry. Jerry got up after five minutes to the applause and cheers of fellow gymnasts.

Janice Capetta watched in disbelief, declaring,  “I’m a lot younger than her and I can’t do that.” Neither could Joel Radding, who says, “It goes to show you what exercise can do for your health.  There are exercises she does that I can’t do. She really has inspired me.”

At 100, Jerry just renewed her driver’s license. She says she never smoked but does have an occasional drink, an Aperol spritz.

Fellow gymnast Pat Mooney proclaims, “I want to be like Jerry when I grow up and she says no, no, no. Look at her.  Wouldn’t you like to be 100 and look like her?”

Jerry challenges reporter Marvin Scott to join her in the signature plank exercise. “

What are we doing Jerry,” he inquires down on his knees. “Elbows down, hands on the mat,” Jerry bellows. Finally asserting, “that’s it, you’re getting better.”

With two daughters in their 70s, Jerry has three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her advice to live a long life is to exercise religiously, maintain a good diet, and be kind, happy, and fearless.

 Jerry puts her fellow gymnasts to shame with her core strengths, going beyond the limits of most younger athletes. She inspires others and is proof at 100 that she’s a living example of how exercise can certainly add years to your life.

“I feel great haven’t had any aches and pains,” she maintains, adding,  “How lucky I am and I don’t take it for granted.”