Several outlets report that Bengie Santos, a 72-year-old exercise instructor at the Greater Seattle Y, is well received by her students because she chooses entertainment and teaching cues that reflect their interests. Students describe a noticeable connection when she incorporates familiar music into classes, including hip-hop tracks and classic standards associated with Doris Day. The reporting highlights that the approach helps older instructors communicate in ways that feel relevant to younger participants, rather than relying only on conventional fitness playlists.
While the articles focus on the classroom atmosphere created by Santos, they also frame her popularity as evidence that age does not prevent instructors from engaging effectively. Students say the instructor’s ability to use “their language” contributes to participation and enjoyment during workouts. Both sources emphasize the same core idea: that selecting culturally and generationally familiar content can strengthen rapport between instructors and students, and can make exercise classes feel more accessible.
