Globetrotting artist whose work hung in London’s Tate is prolific painter aged nearly 93 thanks to 40 years of weight training keeping her fit
A globetrotting artist whose work has hung in London’s Tate Gallery is still a prolific painter despite turning 93 next month thanks to 40 years of weight training and regular gym sessions which keep her super-fit.
Rising to fame as part of the New York Minimalist art movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Jo Baer, 92, still enjoys a successful career 70 years after she first put brush to canvas – thanking good genes, walking and workouts for her dynamism.
She added: “I was living in London 40 years ago and started visiting the gym after an Arsenal football coach told me I should be weight training.
“I used to watch the men at the gym and just copy what they did.
Living independently and still working and walking for miles each day, Jo – who is single, after being married and divorced three times, and has a 65-year-old son, New York writer Josh Baer – is in incredible shape.
And six months ago, after weight training on her own for decades, she engaged the services of a personal trainer at the UP fitness gym in her building.
She added: “I’m in such good shape, I really shouldn’t b***h about ageing!”
Living in Holland since 1984, as well as hanging in London’s Tate Gallery, Jo’s work has been shown in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
She added: “I live alone, go to the gym once a week, take long walks every morning at 7am, eat lots of protein and vegetables and work a lot on my art.”
“It’s a wonderful life and I think that’s what’s keeping me alive and in good shape.
She added: “Working out is helping me stay youthful. I’d recommend it to anybody who is ageing.”
A typical hour-long weekly gym session for Jo includes using resistance machines, free weights and split squats under the watchful eye of trainer Dylan Venema.
She added: “Before having a personal trainer, I was using dumbbells and doing squats and things at home, but I could feel myself growing weak.
“My legs have never been that strong and on my daily walks I could feel that. My hamstrings felt soft.
She continued: “It’s a new experience and I’m enjoying it.”
Jo has no plans to give up her routine anytime soon, even though it would tire out most people half her age.
She added: “There’s no secret to my fitness at this age. I have great genes, my dad was a celebrated golfer.
“I’m also used to taking care of myself and when I need help I go get it. Then I keep doing what works. I am my own master.”
And she is keen to advise other older people to keep moving.
She said: “The one thing I would say is to move. Always be moving.
“If you’ve been sitting for 20 minutes, get up and walk somewhere.
Jo’s trainer, Dylan Venema, loves working with his grande dame of the gym.
He said: “Jo is a fascinating person to train. She has a lot of life experience.
“Obviously, at 92, Jo is not our typical client, so I have to train her differently than we would a ‘normal’ client. When I’m working with her, I have to take extra care she does not injure herself.
“When Jo first started, she had some bad lifting habits. Now we’re focusing on her technique and, as she adapts naturally and her technique is perfect, we will be trying to set some personal bests.“