98-Year-Old Man Does 40 Pushups a Day, Practices Yoga and Pilates to Stay Fit

A 98-year-old man from England is inspiring people around the world after revealing the fitness routine that keeps him strong, mobile and independent as he approaches his 100th birthday.

Bill Kober, from Suffolk, England, says he completes at least 40 pushups every day, alongside regular Pilates and yoga, following a simple philosophy that has become his motto: “Use it or lose it.”

Daily Fitness Routine at 98

Kober begins each day with 20 pushups before completing another 20 later in the evening.

In addition to strength training, he regularly practices Pilates and recently achieved one of yoga’s more advanced positions—the crow pose, which requires balancing the knees on the upper arms while lifting both feet off the ground.

Despite his remarkable physical ability, Kober says he only discovered his passion for fitness later in life.

“Only in my later years have I realized that I’ve got this ability, and so I do it because I’m able to and, as they say, ‘use it or lose it,’ and I don’t want to lose it,” he said.

He added that his goal is simply to remain as healthy and physically capable as possible.

Advice for Perfect Pushups

Asked about the secret to performing an effective pushup, Kober emphasized maintaining proper body posture and core engagement.

He explained that keeping a straight back and tightening the body’s core muscles helps ensure correct form while reducing unnecessary strain.

His approach focuses on quality and consistency rather than speed or excessive repetitions.

Fitness Wasn’t Always His Lifestyle

Although Kober now exercises every day, he says structured fitness was never a major part of his younger years.

Instead, he believes decades of physically demanding work helped build the strength and endurance he still enjoys today.

He served in the military for two years before working in the construction industry building homes. Later, he spent 28 years working in a factory before ending his career as a school bus driver transporting students.

He also experimented with weight training and running over the years but says pushups have become his preferred form of exercise.

“Doing pushups is what is keeping me breathing well. I do them until I can’t do any more, then I get up, relax and that’s it,” he explained.

A Life Shaped by Resilience

Born in East London, Kober was evacuated to the English countryside with his siblings during World War II, an experience he says shaped much of his life.

He recalls those years fondly, saying they helped him develop a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.

Now married for more than 75 years, Kober continues to demonstrate that staying active can contribute to healthy aging.

Inspiring Healthy Aging

Health experts widely recommend regular physical activity for older adults, noting that strength training, flexibility exercises such as yoga and Pilates, and balance-focused movements can help maintain mobility, reduce the risk of falls and improve overall quality of life.

Kober’s story is a powerful reminder that adopting healthy habits can have lasting benefits, regardless of when a person begins.

His message to others remains simple but enduring:

“Use it or lose it.”