Go for a spin in fitness devotee Kelli Sullivans class and youll hop off the cycle inspired.

The operative word inspirational swirls around Sullivan, forever encouraging, prompting and demonstrating what it means to be in tip-top shape at any age while stressing the love for working out over any competitive bent that dogs other older, hard-core athletes.

She is a super inspiration for me, said nurse Janet Nothstine, of Butte, who takes Sullivans spin class twice a week at Fuel Fitness and who cycled from Kalispell to El Paso, Texas, in 19 days in 2008 when she turned 50.

Kellis so kind, Nothstine added. Shell stop and chat with someone in the weight room. She stays after when sometimes I do a few weights. If she sees something new thats interesting shes always looking at new things.

At 59, Sullivan the artist, mother and grandmother is in her third decade of lifting weights a few times a week.

Soon after her son Willy was born 28 years ago, she started lifting weights at the Butte Family YMCA. She hasnt let up.

A poster child for active women age 50 and over, Sullivan consistently finishes in the top half of her age group, including the Missoula Half-Marathon in 2016. Last year she also completed the Hibernian 5K St. Paddys Day Run in Anaconda and the Wulfmans Continental Divide Trail Race.

Sullivan is the first to tell you shes not competitive, but its apparent that the workout queen of Butte has been unswervingly competitive with herself to maintain a fitness level uncommon for women her age.

She runs or bicycles nearly daily and except for foot surgery last February has rarely taken time off from working out.

Ive done a ton of biking this summer, but I love to run, said the Butte resident who grew up with an athletic family and coach father in Great Falls. With running, you dont need equipment; you dont have to worry about that.

She loves running in the rain and she loves running on trails on the East Ridge.

Self-employed trainer Brian Yates knows Sullivan well and sings her praises. He has trained her up to three sessions per week when she was into running full marathons.

Shes absolutely unbelievable, said Yates, 45. She definitely made working out her lifestyle. Some people eat, sleep and breathe working out, but shes also an amazing mother and grandmother.

Hailing from an athletic family set Sullivan on a work-out course in junior high, when she started weekend runs with famed retired C.M. Russell High cross-country/track coach Branch Brady.

Thats when I got hooked on running, said Sullivan.

Her father, Don Cramer, coached CMR girls basketball, and sister, Connie Cramer Caouette is the city golf pro in Great Falls. Still, girls sports were limited during the mid-1970s when Sullivan was in school.

She has accomplished a lifetime of workouts, while also running her own art studio on Park Street for 16 years, creating old, archaic art and painting interiors on the side.

Shes an unbelievable artist, said Yates. She could pass for being in her late 40s and her whole life in general is unbelievable. She inspires a lot of people to make healthy living a lifestyle.

If youre starting to work out for the first time in your life, Sullivan gives practical advice:

Find something that you think is fun something you really like to do. Set realistic goals.

For example, start by walking 15 minutes a day, three times a week, then slowly increase your time and frequency.

Not everyone will like spinning on an indoor bike, but the beauty lies in its non-competitive aspect.

People of all levels can cycle, she said. We always start on a flat road, then you determine which level to start with. Youre challenging yourself.

The last outcome she wants is to dread workouts.

Im all about fun, she said.

As for using free weights or the high-tech machines available at Fuel Fitness, the YMCA and other gyms, Sullivan recommends hiring a trainer to learn safe, correct techniques.

At 5-foot-7, a taut 138 pounds and sporting a low heart rate, Sullivan turns 60 next May. Despite her recent big toe joint replacement and nagging foot arthritis, she has returned to running. She will not be slowed, especially since she loves the outdoors.

Ive got a little plan, Sullivan said slyly. When I cant run anymore, Ill hike.

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Healthy lifestyle: Butte woman powers ahead with workouts | Health ... - Montana Standard