Octogenarian Dominic Yam is a picture of fitness and good health as he takes to the floor at the Stirling Leisure Centre in Hamersley to show his exercise style. He has just celebrated 20 years of bringing health and fitness to senior citizens with his Fitness 50 Club.
At 87, spritely Dominic shows no signs of slowing down as he invites the general audience to join the exercise class. Five women did a yang style tai chi routine followed by Dominic’s solo demonstration shirt of tai chi fan and sword.
Dominic migrated to Perth from Singapore in 1980 with wife Amy and sons Bernard and Patrick and was soon involved in exercise, inspiring him to become a fitness instructor.
Through the years, he kept up with various sporting activities such as squash, badminton and windsurfing but it was aerobic fitness and exercising that held his interest.
After retiring as an aeronautical engineer in 2005, Dominic studied for and acquired his fitness instructor’s certificate from Fitness Australia. From there, Fitness 50 Club was born.
For the past 20 years, more than 3000 members a year have joined Fitness 50. Helped by wife Amy, Dominic has a busy week, conducting aerobic and tai chi classes at Whitford, Mullaloo, Wanneroo and Hamersley.
“Nobody enters the door sitting down,” Dominic told a packed hall of guests at Hamersley at a special morning tea celebration to mark his 20-year milestone attended by special guests including the City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin.
Mayor Irwin told guests health and fitness was a priority, something he knew well after a previous career in the fitness industry.
Jeannie Williams, of Bassendean, told Have a Go News she has attended Dominic’s classes for several years and they were always fun.
“He gives us tips on various movements to alleviate ailments and common aches and pains, pearls of wisdom which several ladies have confirmed to be very effective.”
As well as aerobics, dance, cardiac stimulation and dance, Dominic displayed a great sense of humour.
“He makes us laugh every lesson, surely the best medicine of all,” said Jeannie.
Among a string of awards for his work over the years, Dominic recently received the 2025 AUSactive Certificate of Appreciation for 20 years of AUSactive membership, being the oldest fitness instructor at 87 and for his commitment to ongoing education.
“Fitness Club has given me an immense feeling of achievement and satisfaction in contributing to the senior members of the community,” Dominic said.
He lists Fitness 50 Club’s mission as providing exercise routines to help improve people’s fitness levels, overcome age related ailments, help people recover from medical conditions and surgery and remind members to regularly have medical check-ups.
“Classes are also a place to meet new friends, exercise and socialise,” he said.,
Anyone wishing to join Dominic’s classes can contact him on 0415 301 142 or email: yamd@bigpond.com
