Fit together

I first noticed Gary Leo in my Ringside class — a high-intensity boxing workout that uses real upright heavy bags and off-bag cardio drills to deliver a serious cardio-respiratory challenge. It’s what many of my students call “no joke.” After 55 minutes, we’re all joyfully exhausted. But while the rest of the class stretched, Gary was doing jumping jacks, cherry pickers, or high knees.

Curious, I asked him one day, joking, “Haven’t had enough, huh Gary?”

He laughed and explained that he’d received a heart transplant, and that his recovery protocol required keeping his heart rate elevated longer than most people’s. I must have looked concerned, because he quickly added that the intense cardio was just as important — and assured me he had it under control.

After all, Gary is a retired neurologist.

Before joining the WAC, Gary says his workouts were inconsistent. He began training with Zoe Rentmeester at the Wauwatosa club, then added group fitness classes because, as he puts it, he “hates hamster wheel exercise.”

“Group exercise is perfect for me,” Gary says. “The variety of classes and working out with others helps prevent boredom. Modifications make it accessible for different fitness levels.”

Now, Gary attends eight to nine classes each week, often doubling up on the same day. His goals are simple — to stay active, slow the effects of aging, and avoid injury — though anyone who’s worked out near him would say his effort is anything but modest.

Outside of class, Gary’s kindness stands out as much as his work ethic. After Ringside, I’ll sometimes come back from cleaning up only to find he’s already put my heavy bag away. He doesn’t often talk about his impressive medical career unless asked, but when he does, he shares valuable insights from his work treating Parkinson’s Disease.

Next on Gary’s list is a re-evaluation of his cardiac output.

“I hope to maintain or improve my time with my next biannual cardiac stress test,” he says.

You’ll find Gary with boxing gloves on at Wauwatosa or West Allis, or in his regular spot at my Tuesday 9:15 a.m. Strength class in Tosa — always pushing himself, always inspiring those around him.

As instructors, we take our jobs seriously, but it’s members like Gary who remind us why we do what we do. His resilience, discipline, and kindness lift the energy of every room he enters. We could all use a little more Gary in the world.