90-year-old Ottawa woman celebrates birthday with CrossFit workout class

An Ottawa woman is the envy of everyone at the gym, getting a lifetime membership after turning 90 years old. CTV’s Camille Wilson reports.

An Ottawa woman is rocking in her 90th birthday doing what she loves the most – going to the gym.

At a workout class in Ottawa, “CrossFit Queen” Avril Legault is stealing the show.

The CrossFit club celebrated her milestone birthday with cake and gifts at her noon workout Monday, providing her with a free membership for life.

“I just like it, I don’t believe that that number is me. I just can’t believe it. I don’t feel 90. That’s because of CrossFit,” Legault told CTV News Ottawa.

Nine years ago, her daughter’s friend introduced her to CrossFit and joined the gym after she went through a significant loss.

“My husband passed away after being married for 60 years, I didn’t know what to do with myself,” said Legault.

Legault says her initial goal was to learn how to get up if she fell and has since accomplished that. She then moved onto learning how to do a burpee.

She attends the gym three times a week and says after every class, she always looks forward to the next one.

“They had a class for seniors but then after COVID, nobody bothered coming back except me. I’m the only senior here,” says Legault.

CrossFit NCR trainer and co-owner Reza Mashkoori says Legault teaches everyone the importance of moving the body at any age and says she’s an inspiration to everyone that walks into the gym.

“She’s come a long way. I remember when she first joined the gym, she walked up those stairs with a walker. After coming to the gym for about three weeks, she didn’t need it anymore,” says Mashkoori.

Legault says she has the walker for emergencies but doesn’t use it anymore.

“She’s not afraid of anything and it’s such an inspiration. I hope that I can be even half of her when I am her age,” says Ashton Tessier, who was attending a class at CrossFit NCR.

Melanie Davie, Legault’s daughter, says before starting this class, she had never been to a gym before, but CrossFit became her lifeline.

“I’m super proud of her. I have so much respect. Like so many people just can’t get out the door and she looks forward to coming here three times a week,” said Davie.

Legault says she is grateful to her trainers and other class members that are supportive.

“She never thought she’d make it this far. She’s really proud of herself. We’re happy for her. She’s still living on her own. She is stubborn. She’s going to make it to 100 for sure,” said Davie.

Legault has no intention on stopping now.

“I’m just going to continue to come to CrossFit until I’m 100,” she said.

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