David Keaggy, a 99-year-old Mesa resident and retired master archer, plans to celebrate his 100th birthday by working out at a local gym. The U.S. Air Force veteran, who was born in 1926, will perform his routine at Mountainside Fitness, located at 1253 N. Greenfield Road in Mesa, which is approximately 16 miles northwest of Queen Creek.
The celebration is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, July 10. Keaggy intends to spend the morning riding a stationary bike and lifting weights, followed by a slice of birthday cake. He has maintained a consistent exercise regimen for decades, citing daily physical activity as the primary reason for his continued health and longevity.
Keaggy has a history of marking significant age milestones with physical challenges. For his 90th birthday, he completed 83 consecutive push-ups in front of spectators and a local television crew. He repeated similar public workouts for his 97th and 99th birthdays. Regarding his upcoming milestone, Keaggy stated that performing in front of an audience motivates him to exert more effort and hopes his example encourages others to prioritize their physical fitness.
His typical gym session begins with a 10-minute warm-up on a stationary bike, followed by a circuit involving various machines and free weights. Keaggy attributes his physical condition to avoiding alcohol and caffeine, maintaining a low body weight, and exercising multiple times each week.
Craig Cote, the chief executive officer of Mountainside Fitness, expressed enthusiasm for Keaggy’s continued presence at the facility. Cote noted that Keaggy is the gym’s oldest member and serves as a motivator for other patrons. The organization highlighted his dedication to regular workouts as a notable achievement as he approaches his centennial.
