The way boomers are redefining aging it may come as no surprise to hear that a 70 year old woman is poised to set a world power lifting record of 250#? In fact, maybe you've already heard about the Spaniard that climbed dangerous K2 peak at the age of 65? Perhaps you or someone you know took up running at 50, 60 or more? Thanks to better medicine, thorough knowledge of nutrition, and greater opportunities, men and women over 60 are smashing records in athletics and riding their aging bodies to new potentials. Welcome boomers, the thrill of physical performance can still be won.
Not everyone has a body primed to exceed but older performance athletes inspire us to consider the fact that we're never too old to transform a sedentary life or challenge our aches and pains with physical activity. If your life circumstances make hiking unlikely or present challenges to running think about starting a walking routine. April 3rd is National Walking Day try jump-starting your routine by joining others. How about lifting 2 # weights every day or putting an abbreviated soft exercise or chair routine into your day. Any energy you expend to strengthen and exercise your body will bring you noticeable rewards in well being.
Great things start simple. Power lifter Faith Ireland explains that she started lifting weights at 55 years of age when she was out of shape and searching for a solution to chronic pain. In the beginning she committed to exercise bands and three pound weights. A mental health boost from her new routine helped her push forward. In just two years she had overcome the pain she'd been living with for 15 years! By 65 she held international power lifting records for her weight and age class and was voted athlete of the year by the Washington State Powerlifting Hall of Fame. Now, at 70, she's poised to set another International record.
World renown mountain climber, Carlos Soria Fontan, has been athletic all his life. He first climbed at the age of 14. Now, though he has trouble with his knees and back and lives with Meniere's disease (an inner ear problem that results in periods of imbalance), he has climbed 11 of the 14 tallest peaks in the world 8 of which he conquered after the age of 60. "The mountain is my life," he told El Pais in 2011 but, he added, "The records don't matter to me. It's important to be an example for younger people."
When you and I were young, daily exercise wasn't necessarily emphasized but, since then, medical research has taught society that its benefits significantly improve mental and physical well being. Now, exercise is recommended for everyone with and without health conditions. People who find a routine and adhere to it aren't modest about proclaiming it's benefits. Faith Ireland called her weight routine a "fountain of youth." Sixty year old "Lady Croom" writes, in a comment at Running For Fitness, that running changed and saved her life.
Before you begin exercising, however, get a good physical checkup then follow sensible guidelines and get ready for a positive and possibly life changing experience. Make sure shoes and clothing are supportive, hydrate, and draw up a routine. Always stretch (before and after exercise), start slow and easy. Build your body up in gentle stages. The National Institute on aging has wonderful resources to help you get started and stay healthy while you exercise. If you decide to run, supplement your running with weight lifting and aerobic exercise such as swimming, and take several days of rest between exercise sessions or events that require strenuous activity. Exercise is the easiest and lowest cost activity you can do to maintain or improve your health and wellness.
Take the plunge. Move your body. Someday you too may be setting world records and inspiring the next generation. More likely, though, you'll simply find that exercise rewards you with a feeling of empowerment and well being. Are you exercising already? Leave us a comment about the benefits of exercise in your life. It's always hard to get started and your story may be the inspiration and encouragement readers need.
Update 3/21/13 Read about Tamae Watanabe the oldest woman to scale Mt Everest.
Wonderful youtube video on the benefit of less than 1/2 hour of exercise.It's seen by over 3 million people. How about you?
Update May 20 2013 This article profiles runners in who are 70+. It ran in a small city paper in Bellingham, Washington. Stories like this are running in local papers all over the states as people practice fitness well into advanced age.
Update August 2013: At 70 years of age Faith Ireland grabs first place in lifts at the USA Power Lifting meet and will represent team USA in the International Power Lifting Federation meet this September.
Update October 2013: At 71 years of age Faith Ireland, power lifter, retired Washington Supreme Court Justice, and motivational speaker, shatters the former dead lifting world record in her class at the 2013 IPF Master's World Championship. Ireland's 281 pound dead lift added to her total performance in bench press, squat, and dead lifts also set a new world record. Congratulations Ms. Ireland.
