Strength training only gets more important as we age, these folks prove it’s never too late to start doing it.
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“I wish I still had the body I had in my 20’s …”
“I’ve not been to a gym for years …”
“I’m way too out of shape these days …”
Just some of the excuses you hear from middle-aged or totally unfit people (usually guys) about why they’re not properly looking after their body.
I’m not trying to preach or suggest these folk are being lazy. And it’s maybe being a bit unfair labeling these as “excuses”because there are usually a few more deep-rooted limited beliefs behind the lack of action.
Worried it will be too much work to get back in shape?
Fear looking like an unfit weakling in the gym in front of all the others?
Think you’re already “past it?”
Limiting beliefs/mental blocks—whatever you want to call them—don’t actually hold much weight. They simply hold us back.
You Can Significantly Improve The Condition Of Your Body … No Matter Your Age Or Level of Fitness
Introducing powerhouse pensioners who prove you’re never too old to get fit (and ridiculously strong) … Svend Stensgaard, 95, Don Ramos, 82, Willie Murphy, 78, and 70-year-old Pat Reeves.
They’re the inspiration that proved you CAN significantly improve the condition of your body and your overall health no matter your age or level of fitness.
In an interview with Weight Training Is The Way, Britain’s oldest competing female powerlifter Pat Reeves has some words of wisdom.
“Once one considers themselves as ‘past it’ a future slippery slope seemingly becomes inevitable,” says the grandmother, who has beaten cancer twice through a raw foods diet and strengthening her body through weightlifting.
“It’s not a thought process that should be on anyone’s agenda,” she said.
She has some solid advice to middle-aged, older people, or anyone who thinks it will be mission impossible to regain their health and fitness.
Be pro-active, find a goal/dream and every day do something that progresses you towards that.
Be clear about what you want, not just aiming to ‘improve’ but being exactly specific as to projected achievement.
The easy plan is to start with bodyweight resistance, wall pushes, holding onto sink squats, or fit a door bar and attempt a few half-pull-ups each time you pass by.
Kneeling floor presses, slowly turned into full-push-ups. Timing plank position, adding a few seconds each day etc.
Doing this for a few weeks will stimulate desire to want to achieve more. At this point – depending upon one’s goals – acquiring home equipment, joining a gym or seeking a personal trainer becomes a logical progression.
People don’t come much stronger than Pat.
First diagnosed with brain cancer in 1993 and then 14 bone cancer tumours the following year, medics didn’t give her much hope of surviving…especially after she said no to chemotherapy and cancer fighting drugs.
Instead, Pat fought back with a strict diet of raw vegetables and fruit, alkalising the body and flooding it with nutrients. At the same time, she stepped up her weightlifting hobby and accumulated trophies in powerlifting.
Strength Training Becomes Even More Important As We Get Older
Now in remission, Pat works as a nutritional therapist, officiates at powerlifting contests and holds national, European and world records as she continues to compete more than 30 years after first taking up the sport.
She said: “As the oldest competing female in the UK it is exciting to keep beating my own records!
“Strength training becomes even more important as we get older because without it we simply become weaker, less flexible and more inclined to vegetate.
“It certainly is not necessary for everyone to take up powerlifting, though I believe we all should include at least some resistance work in our daily lives.”
And here are three other superhero senior citizens who show the rest of us how it’s done.
Svend Stensgaard
At 95, this Danish pensioner is the world’s oldest powerlifter. Svend deadlifts 290lbs – and has no plans of giving up anytime soon.
In an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper, the incredible Dane said that the endorphins rush he gets from lifting weights is like a “dosage of morphine”.
He added: “For me, I exercise because I can’t think of myself sitting at home and doing nothing.”
You can read the article by clicking here.
Willie Murphy
This New York supergran lifts weights like a boss in the gym – and can even do one-handed push-ups and pull-ups!
The 77-year-old only weighs 105lbs, but can deadlift double her own bodyweight and has got guns for show.
“I never use the words ‘I can’t’,” the amazing pensioner told USA Today.
“I would just simply say, ‘I will try.’ That’s the way I live my life, just trying to do my best every day.”
You can check out Willie’s story by clicking here.
Don Ramos
This super strong OAP from Colorado Springs in the US is a man of many talents. Dancer, author…and holder of several world weightlifting records.
In an interview with the New York Times three years ago, Don said: “I have to admit, I have an extraordinary body. Not for an 80-year-old. But for a 30-year-old.”
Don has now retired from competitions – after being banned for using synthetic testosterone. He said he doesn’t consider himself a cheat, Don thought he was just keeping himself healthy.
Beating cancer twice. Beating world records…
You only need to beat limiting beliefs to start following in their footsteps.
Here’s one way to start: book an induction at your local gym today where an instructor will show you how to use all the equipment.
It’s the first step. Then you can come back here and delve deep into all the ‘Weight Training’ and ‘Diet and Nutrition’ categories on this blog for advice on taking your progress to the next level.
Originally Published at WeightTrainingIsTheWay.com
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Photo: Getty Images