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GREENSBORO -- Frank Bailey never let his heart attack keep him down. In fact, the incident inspired him to begin a comprehensive workout plan -- a plan from which he hasn't strayed for 17 years.

But during his recovery at Moses Cone Hospital, something happened to Bailey that would change his life just as much -- he met Hank Thomas, now 82, who was enrolled in the same cardiac program.

The two soon began exercising together at a local YMCA.

Then more people began joining them.

And then a few more.

Eventually, the Cardiac Kids were formed.

"My doctor said to just keep doing it as long as I can," says Bailey, who recently turned 95.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday you'll find them. The downtown Hayes-Taylor YMCA is the place, 7:30 a.m. the time.

"They're probably the most consistent group we have," Hayes-Taylor executive director Larry Burnett says.

Rain. Sleet. Snow. These guys rarely skip their hour-long workout.

"We don't miss when it's raining," member Earleen Jones says. "We only miss when there's black ice."

The workout begins with 10 to 15 minutes of warm-ups and stretching led by one of the group.

After that, the five women and three men move to the building's indoor track above the basketball court and spend 30 minutes walking (Bailey rides an exercise bike).

The workout ends with a cooldown, more stretching and -- the best part -- quiet time.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Jones says. "I feel better after I work out, and I feel better when I come in here. We're like a family."

Meet the newest members: sisters Joann House and Rosie Boyd. They joined about seven weeks ago.

House says she loves the people and the exercise. Well, not always the exercise.

"When you have to lift your legs up to here," Boyd says, motioning with her hand to her chest, "it's a whole other story."

Boyd says the exercises are easy and simple enough to perform on those days -- and hey, every gym rat has them -- when you're not feeling good.

Bailey, the group's founder, lives in southeast Greensboro and served as an accountant at Bennett College for 25 years before he retired.

"He's everyone's boyfriend," says Shirley Covington, who runs Hayes-Taylor's Active Older Adults program. "Everyone's always fussing over him, and he loves it."

At the end of a Wednesday morning workout, as the members lie down for their two minutes of quiet time, they still have enough energy for hi-jinks.

"Who's timing us?" Boyd calls out from her mat in the middle of the floor.

Bailey, sitting on a chair in the back of the room, volunteers and takes out a watch.

"OK," Boyd says. "Wake me up."

"This is quiet time," admonishes Bailey about 30 seconds later, motioning toward a few women on the floor chatting about their pear trees and daffodils.

"Frank, you better wake me up," Boyd calls out again.

Contact Alyse Knorr at 373-7096 or alyse.knorr@news-record.com