Friends, family surprise 96-year-old gymgoer for birthday celebration at Sportset Fitness

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Age is definitely just a number – especially for Thomas Nola.

Last week, Nola celebrated his 96th birthday at Rockville Centre’s Sportset Health and Fitness Club. “The celebration went off without a hitch” said Bud Cosgrove, director of Senior Wellness at Sportset.

Nola has become a regular at Sportset and has made countless friends. Employees at the Maple Avenue gym knew of Nola’s upcoming birthday and had guests who came in sign a birthday card to be presented to him at the celebration. “They ended up filling two cards worth of signatures,” Cosgrove noted.

Tom has been an avid gymgoer for the better portion of his life. “He has been working out three to four times a week since his twenties,” said his daughter, Francine Castagna. “Most people his age get worse, but he is getting better.”

Tom’s routine at the gym ranges from the treadmill and bicycle, to weights and leg workouts. His determination and devotion has inspired the rest of his family to pick up a workout routine as well, according to Castagna.

“[Sportset] is a very warm and friendly atmosphere” she said. “The celebration was great.”

Cosgrove lauded Nola’s active lifestyle, saying, “Tom exemplifies the direction that the whole older generation is going.”