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70+ Isn’t So Bad…
In the past week, I’ve had several age related stories sent to me via email. The four videos below highlight men in their 70′s who remain both active and extremely capable.
I enjoy these age related stories for several reasons. Perhaps most importantly, these stories highlight the potential of the human body. It’s great to be reminded of the benefits of an active lifestyle. I find it amazing to see what the human body is capable of at an age that is twice my own. To see someone in their 70′s with the ability to outperform many who are half their age is truly incredible.
It is also nice to be reminded about the importance of hard work and consistency. These attributes tend to outweigh those other details which are often debated among exercise enthusiasts (ex. programming, periodization, exercise choice, etc.).
If you stay busy and are diligent with your efforts, you will improve regardless of the exercise style that you choose. There isn’t a right (or single) way to exercise. What truly matters is that you get up and move.
It is often more useful to encourage people to move, rather than worrying so much about how they move. Of all the age related stories that I’ve posted here in the past, I doubt you’ll find any two people who train identically. There have been stories of elderly bodybuilders, powerlifters, bodyweight exercise enthusiasts, endurance athletes, and more. Each story is unique. The common link isn’t how they train, but rather their willingness to continually get up and go.
So much can be drawn from this simple observation…
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I also like those stories. I am fascinated by the stories and the people, and they are incredible motivating.
The human body is like a machine, and we can go on for a very long time when in good health, and the chance of having a good health will grow while working out in some way.
Thanks for sharing
It’s amazing what the body can do at any age. It kind of makes me feel guilty for skipping the gym last night
-Jess
Thanks for posting these Ross. As a 44 year old who still enjoys sports, these stories are very inspiring.
Great videos. I know it might not be totally “Netiquete” correct, to post this here, but we had an episode air a couple of months ago featuring my 76 year old dad doing a 15 minute smoking workout of DB cleans and BW lunges. Hope you are impressed!
http://fusionfitnesstv.com/episode-11-mens-health-month-15-min-workout/
Keep up your tireless efforts Ross!
Robert Troch
Love your message. So right on, Ross! So right on!
I would add, also, to remember to exercise your intellect as well (reading a good novel, learning to play an instrument, learning to dance, or any other activity). Nowdays, I combine Thai boxing in the AM three days a week (hard core training) with singing lessons (for church choir) on alternate days. All this I do before heading to work in the AM. It is amazing how each, psychologically, empowers the other and makes you a better person.
Love you message.
I always was convinced that you can stay in shape when getting older. I read the stories about of old martial arts masters in MA magazines and actors who were in good shape in later life. But most people around me thought you will become an impotent sucker and sick when you age. I never beleieved this BS and nowadays with all the master athletes turns out I was right.
In 1972 a french philosopher, Lucien Sève, wrote an interesting book. He said that most people are crap when they are old because of their bad life circumstances, not because of aging. And the folks who are mentally inflexible in their younger years will become inflexible also in their body over time. “Old” bodies come from inflexible and cramped thinking and unheathy conditions. Stress, nutrition, sedentary lifestyle and the believe system that tells you that you will degenerate. If you believe this and you live accordingly then it will happen. The mind is more powerful than the body.
I recommend the book of Thomas Hanna, body therapist in California, “Somatics”.
Hanna explains how “stress reflexes” and sensory motor amnesia contribute to inflexibility and that this has nothing to do with age per se. His body therapy system “Somatic Education” is quite famous. Check it out.
Robert – Don’t worry about “Netiquete” correctness here. Everything is fine. I encourage everyone to participate. Thanks for sharing.
Ross
Cool. Thanks Ross. Let’s face it Jack Lalanne has paved the way for staying strong and enduring well into a person’s nineties!
Robert
[...] Ross has several finds up about 70-year-old men. In the past week, I’ve had several age related stories sent to me via [...]
I had only seen the last video. Thanks for this collection, Ross.
Best,
Yavor
Excellent and inspiring! When 70 years is no barrier, I have no excuses! Your message serves as a great reminder and motivator!
Thought I’d post about another ass-kicking septuagenarian. Bob Vastine works out at my gym and recently set the IPA world record for his age group in the dead lift. Here’s a video of the lift: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSvUMkQTrPo
Nice guy, too.
[...] the recent 70+ entry, I received several emails from readers who wanted to know about older athletes that started [...]
i have read about the man in the last vid from this entry. 72 year old, black male,etc. it was a VERY long article but i made myself read the whole thing because the guy was fascinating. he was once a bodyguard for elton john. i think he was a mr. universe (dont quote me but he competed at a VERY high level).
the one thing i remember from that article was his diet. fruits, veggies, nuts & beans. that is a beautiful thing. guy is a great inspiration. i’ll remember that forever!
Very inspiring. I was running a 5k when I was in my early 40′s. A woman who was probably in her early 60′s powered past me. Of course that made me run even faster and in the end I beat her. Still, my thought was “I want to be that woman that a girl much younger has to “try” to beat”!!!