Gym-goer, 79, loves lifting weights and doing burpees

Marjorie Richardson who is looking forward to celebrating her 80th birthday next year says she is determined "to be the oldest person at the gym, not the youngest in the nursing home".

Richardson is part of the Third Age fitness group at CrossFit Uckfield, a gym class designed for over 60s that involves weightlifting, burpees and hanging upside down on bars.

The class has become increasingly popular with both men and women who say they want to stay independent for as long as possible.

Richardson said: "I had surgery in both feet and I've got arthritis in my hands but since coming here everything has improved, not to mention the mental health side.

"I live alone and meeting here with the girls is brilliant."

Richardson says one of the biggest improvements she has seen is in her balance, as well as being able to lift everyday things like shopping and gardening tools with ease.

"There is no pressure here and no competition, everyone is out to support everyone else. It's a great atmosphere and you can always improve, no matter what your age."

Carla Halford, 78, bought her son a membership for the gym and he then encouraged her to join the Third Age group and she now says she has never looked back.

"I try to convince my friends to join me but many of them prefer to stick to things like yoga. But this class is really good for your muscles.

"For me, the biggest motivating factor is I do not want to sit down in a chair one day and not be able to get up."

CrossFit Uckfield now runs four Third Age classes a week for their senior members who range in age from their late 50s to late 70s.

Krish Stevens, owner and head coach at CrossFit Uckfield, said: "For a lot of people who come here it's about keeping up with their grandchildren.

"Also, the narrative has changed. When I first started this 15 years ago many women wanted to be thinner and smaller and now women are turning up and saying they want strong muscles and strong joints and I'm hearing the same from the men."

Stevens says at the start it's about building confidence before building strength.

"After a while I just put some of the heavy weights down for them and walk away and then I turn around and I can see them pick them up and it's brilliant."

She says the members love the social aspect too and "egg each other on".

"They know that this is a safe place to try something they haven't done before and everyone supports each other.

"After joining here one woman was able to lift her grandson down from the monkey bars for the first time and she was so proud because she wouldn't have been able to do that before."

Mick Harker, 77, who has three grandchildren, said he stopped being able to exercise properly when he was looking after his wife who had since moved into a care home.

"Before I came here I had never lifted weights in my life and now I can clear 65kg which I am really pleased about," he said.

"I think my family are proud too which is quite nice, they are all into different activities themselves and now granddad can keep up with some of them as well."

He said: "You are never too old to start.

"People our age often do walking or gardening, but it's not the same.

"This is about challenging yourself and building your muscles which you wouldn't normally do."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook,X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.