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Bodybuilding Pensioners – BBC Documentary
Last night there was an interesting documentary on the BBC about the growing popularity of bodybuilding amongst pensioners in the UK and USA.
“A journey into the world of the senior citizens who live for their bodybuilding and the ultimate prize of a youthful body. We discover the rigorous training and strict diets and follow them as they take to the stage ready to battle it out for the coveted prize of champion bodybuilder. ”
Many of the pensioners claimed their youthful looks were down to their bodybuilding routines. The body building competitions they enter are in categories of over 60 years and over 70 years. The dedication of these bodybuilders is quite remarkable. Many put it down to simply having the time to dedicate their days to working out. Bodybuilding is a very time consuming pastime, and many working people find it difficult to maintain the exercise regime and diet that is required. Before competitions a very restrictive diet is needed to reduce fat reserves as much as possible, and it is almost impossible for working people to maintain a job while training in this way.
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Bodybuilding has some great health benefits for the older population, as it improved blood flow, bone density and stability. People that do weight training and bodybuilding into old age experience much greater freedom and independence than other people. One female US pensioner mentioned that she could continue to move her own furniture and wash her own windows as a result of her improved physical fitness – things which many of her neighbours struggle with. Many people feel some part of their youth has returned to them after training.
So there is really no excuse for not exercising into old age. Get out the fake tan and pump some iron, and you could be Mr or Mrs Universe in a few years time.
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5 Responses to “Bodybuilding Pensioners – BBC Documentary”
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i would love to do this – I am sick of being unfit – where can I go to do this
The best bet is to search your local directory for weight training clubs or bodybuilding clubs. You could start at a large commercial gym to see how you get on, but often the staff at larger gyms are not always well trained in bodybuilding or available to correct form.
I have found that YMCA gyms sometimes have well trained staff. and membership rates are far more reasonable than the larger corporate gyms.
Ideally you would move to a specialist bodybuilding gym, but that may be a little daunting to start with, and there are not that many around.
Good luck, and please let us know how you get on.
Do a search for bodybuiling clubs and see what comes up.
There are some online resources for both female bodybuilding and bodybuilding for the over 50’s.
At age 74 I have so far competed 22 times since age 65,
and hold many first place trophies. All this is achieved without the use of steroids or any other unusual drugs.
That is excellent Paul! Do you have a blog / photo site? Would you like to share it here? What tips can you give to our readers who may be thinking about taking up bodybuilding?