Throughout this blog’s history, I’ve highlighted several age related stories. These entries are often visual reminders of George Bernard Shaw’s priceless wisdom.
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
Many of the older athletes that I’ve featured have been training for longer than I’ve been alive. These men and women are not growing old in the traditional sense. They continue to thrive and often improve. For example, Fred Peterson can be seen below pulling 640 pounds at 70 years old.
Fred can also be seen within this video pulling 680 pounds. He speaks briefly at the 4:35 mark and then prepares for the lift at approximately 5:00 into the video. While speaking, he mentions that he’s been lifting for 56 years. It’s great to see someone remain passionate about training as they advance in age.
Below is yet another tremendous display of older strength. Larry Wallen pulls 705 pounds at 60 years old.
Keep Living
I’m not posting these videos in hope that you sign your grandfather up for a powerlifting meet. I’m posting these videos to remind you that life isn’t over until it is over. You can remain passionate about training regardless of age. These strength displays are incredibly inspirational to me. I’m amazed at the strength of these men in their 60’s and 70’s. I can only hope that I’ll be as active as them when I approach their current age.
Larry Wallen and Fred Peterson are two clear examples that the body is much more capable than many realize. It is amazing what can be accomplished with years of consistent and diligent work. It is also worth mentioning that you can still do very well despite starting at an older age.
Either way, the possibility always exists for one to remain passionate. The past is the past. It’s over and we can’t change it. You don’t need to be defined by what you did or didn’t do. If there is something that you want to do, get up and get busy.
In the words of Chuck Palahniuk,
“You have a choice. Live or die. Every breath is a choice. Every minute is a choice. To be or not to be.”
It is my goal to keep working out until Im gone. I am getting a lot of inspiration out of these older people. it proofs what we can do.
It’s wonderful to be training and challenging yourself. How does your body feel after such a workout? It looks like your back and joints could get hurt.
Great post as usual. After watching that, I’m glad no one knows how much weight I’ve been lifting because it would be very embarrassing – to me. I’m going to have to go find some more weight and do some more training.
It’s amazing what the human body can do with the right training and mindset! There is a gentleman at my Krav Maga class that’s 52 and goes to the Gym 4 times a week and is in tremendous shape. I was very surprised when he told me his age.
Man you never lied. I find it funny when people say they are too old or getting to old to workout. Work Outs are the fountain of youth…. we shouldn’t put an age on fitness. There are a lot of great examples of older people who have maintained a great level of fitness. Its all in the mind.
Great stuff. It should be a love and a passion first and foremost. Keep doing it for as long as you breath.
Most impressive thing I found on the videos was what the two lifters looked like. Neither looked their age. The guy in the second video looked like he was 40 years old!
I don’t know if I believe that second guy is 60 years old. Sure the video quality isn’t that great, but he honestly looks like he’s around 40
hope to be that fit when I’m that old.
Those guys are a true inspiration to a guy going in his first 3 lift meet in over 20 years, 2 days from now. I hope I can continue to lift to my last day.
My favorite quote from Fred, “It’s a lot of hard work and it don’t come free.”