The ultimate fitness inspiration?

When Vladimir Yakovlev created his photo project The Age Of Happiness, he wanted to change our ideas about what life is like after 70. The results are more than inspiring!

By Amy LewisPublished: 14 January 2015

Ice skate, Leg, Human leg, Human body, Joint, Knee, Figure skate, Ice rink, Thigh, Winter,

Yvonne Dole, 80

Yvonne Dole had a car accident when she was 80 years-old resulting in serious concussion. Doctors advised her to hang up her skates. Today the 89-year-old continues to participate in competitions.

'If I ever get in a bad mood, I look at my peers with their oxygen bags, put on skates and smile.'

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Lloyd Kahn, 65

Trousers, Helmet, Inline skating, T-shirt, Inline skates, Shorts, Street fashion, Cool, Personal protective equipment, Athletic shoe,

Lloyd Kahn, first tried skatebording at 65. He stood up on a board, fell immediately, and hurt his hand. From that experience, he concluded that he should wear full protective gear: knee pads, elbow pads, a helmet.

Lloyd, who is now 79 years-old, said: 'I don't do any special tricks. I don't ride like the teenagers. I try not to go too fast, so that I could always jump off and land on my feet.'

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Greta Pontarelli, 63

Arm, Human leg, Elbow, Wrist, Shoulder, Joint, Physical fitness, Performing arts, Knee, Muscle,

Greta Pontarelli is 63 years-old. Greta only started pole dancing two years ago, when she was diagnosed with Osteoporosis, a condition that destroys bone density.

'To strengthen my bones, I needed strenuous exercise. But just weight-lifting is very boring. That's why I looked into dancing with a pylon.'

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Duan Tzinfu, 76

Finger, Sleeve, Shoulder, Elbow, Joint, Wrist, Collar, Sitting, Uniform, Costume accessory,

Duan Tzinfu, 76, demonstrates his amazing flexibility. He only started training when he turned 60. Before he started training, 40 years of hard work at a glass production plant meant he could barely walk and was not flexible enough to reach his toes.

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Johanna Quaas, 88

Human leg, Wrist, Shoulder, Joint, Physical fitness, Elbow, Barefoot, Trunk, Exercise, Knee,

At 88, Johanna Quaas, is a true gymnastics star. Johanna only started training when she turned 56.

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Nina Melnikova and Antonina Kulikova, both 79

Sleeve, Standing, Collar, White coat, Workwear, Fashion design, Costume design, Costume, Suit trousers, Physician,

Nina Melnikova, 79 and Antonina Kulikova, 79 (Novosibirsk, Russia) picked up aikido at the age of 70. They now train at least twice a week. Each training lasts around three hours.

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