CDPHP Health Hero: Alan Lobel

On the second floor of the Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center, against the back wall of a dimly lit exercise room, Alan Lobel has pedaled more than halfway around the world.

Lobel, 70, of Delmar, discovered the stationary Expresso Bike at the Albany JCC seven years ago and never looked back, logging nearly 15,000 miles and burning nearly 700,000 calories along the way.

To put his feat into perspective, Lobel has pedaled the equivalent of a roundtrip flight from Albany to Beijing, or made 100 roundtrips from Albany to New York City.

The distance he’s covered would be nearly 7 percent of the way to the moon.

Most importantly?

“I’m in the best shape of my life,” Lobel said.

He’s proof that wellness goals and achievements are not bound by age. The tall, retired food broker talks about the Expresso Bike almost as much as he peddles it and has encouraged a handful of other seniors at his gym to become regular riders.

For his commitment to wellness and serving as an inspiration to others, we’re proud to call Alan Lobel a CDPHP^® Health Hero.

As a CDPHP Medicare Choices member, Lobel has access to an array of free wellness options through the Senior Fit^® program, including his membership at the Albany JCC, where he’s worked out since it opened in 1961. An added benefit for all CDPHP Medicare Choices members, Senior Fit encourages exercise and an active lifestyle as a means for improving physical fitness and mood, increasing energy, preventing injury, and promoting socialization and independence.

Senior Fit also provides free access to wellness classes, weight loss programs, dietary support, education resources, and 13,000 SilverSneakers^® fitness centers nationwide, which, locally, include Lobel’s gym, the Capital District YMCA, Sunnyview Lifestyle Wellness Center, and Glens Falls YMCA.

CDPHP isn’t the only organization recognizing Lobel for his commitment to health and wellness. In June, SilverSneakers named him one of 10 finalists nationwide for the prestigious Richard L. Swanson Inspiration Award, which honors older adults for their dedication to fitness and overall well-being.

Lobel was honored by SilverSneakers at the Albany JCC over the summer and showcased the Expresso Bike for local media. He pedaled his way through one of the dozens of courses programmed into the bike, which shows lifelike terrain and computerized riders on the bike’s monitor.

An avid golfer, Lobel boasted of his refusal to use a golf cart and the five miles he walks on the course every time he plays.

“I walk the course for the same reason I ride the bike,” Lobel said as he pedaled. “To work the most important muscle in my body – my heart.”

Do you know someone who’s made a special or inspirational commitment to health and wellness? Nominate your CDPHP Health Hero by contacting HealthHero@cdphp.com.