“This was not the future I wanted for me. I got to work.  Menopause was looming. I wanted to avoid bone-thinning.  I wanted to stay strong and independent.”

Lifter for Life Series

This post is the first in the new ‘Lifter for Life’ series. Each post will focus on one persons story. By reading each story we will gain an insight into why others are inspired to start strength training. We will also learn why they are motivated to continue lifting weights as they continue to get older.

Each Lifter for Life will discuss the benefits they have noticed as a result of incorporating strength training into their life. They will also share tips for anyone who wants to getting started.

Each person will have a unique story which I hope will inspire you to start strength training.

Meet Shirley

So I am delighted to be sharing my story with you.  

I am 54 now (I don’t know how that happened lol!). My first experience with weight training lifting I would guess was in my early 20’s.

What inspired you to start weight training?

My brother was involved in power lifting in those days and had been training for some time.  We went around to his friend’s house, who had a gym in his garage, and he showed me some proper ‘lifts’.  Let’s just say the DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) that followed reduced my caffeine intake considerably over the next week as I was unable to go upstairs to the kitchen at work!

Not the best start……

When I was around 24 was when I joined a local gym and started training properly. This was bodybuilding. Real basic Arnie stuff.  I became a little obsessed, won the ‘Miss Slaughters’ title for their bikini competition. I continued to compete after the arrival of my daughter in 1992…  not something I would ever do again. 

Prior to all this my ‘regular exercise’ was walking to work/pub/boyfriends house.  

But the seed was sown! I qualified as a fitness instructor in 1992 and also took my Exercise to Music qualification.  I started teaching classes at a local leisure centre and working with people in the gym.  It was perfect as my daughter could be looked after in the Creche while I worked.  And this became my career for many years. 

After the building was deemed ‘dangerous’ and eventually knocked down I moved into the world of education for a while – and when we eventually moved to Bournemouth in 2010 I had the itch to get back into training again.

Luckily my new partner was also very much into training, so we found ourselves a decent gym and got going.

What motivates you to workout now?

Being older with a new (younger) partner, aesthetics will always play a part in why I like to exercise and keep strong and reasonably lean.  But the last few years have steered me toward more serious issues over my own health and also my mum’s declining physical health.

Heart problems (and sadly deaths from them) are prevalent in our family history.  I thought I did enough, but I was diagnosed with severe, hereditary hypertension after a routine reading (201/101) was taken at a new gym we were attending. I was in a prime position for a stroke at any time, and I was doing a lot of heavy lifting too. The hidden killer had sneaked up on me!  That was a huge shock!  

Around that time my mum had had her second hip operation, but her heart medication and osteoporosis had already sadly taken its toll. Add in muscular atrophy and she was soon housebound and remains so.  

“This was not the future I wanted for me.” 

I got to work.  Menopause was looming and I wanted to avoid bone-thinning.  I wanted to stay strong and independent.  I wanted to know how.

So, I renewed all of my qualifications.  Got myself a strength coach to teach me how to do things properly. Researched the hell out of everything and I am now a Coach myself (only since July 25th 2020 – lockdown made me realise the time was now…)

How is your training going?

My current (pre-Lockdown 2) programme was going so well I am gutted that the gyms closed.  I am TOTALLY not motivated at home with my limited equipment – but I find if I film it as content for my clients then I have to, right?

My goals are to get stronger and leaner – and to share all of my research and personal experience with as many women as I can to stop them from falling into the trap of getting old and weak before their time and losing years of quality life that could have been salvaged. 

Apart from weight training I love to walk. I live by the sea, so I love to walk and listen to Podcasts and music – it’s my time to just chill out and enjoy the ocean and to watch others enjoying it to. 

What are your barriers to training regularly?

Lockdowns are my only barrier to training at the moment as I have access to two fully equipped gyms where I train my clients.  Without them I am dealing with a couple of weighted bodybars and two 5kg dumbbells but hey, I make it work! It’s all about tempo!

What benefits have you noticed as a result of strength training?

The benefits to me are that I can maintain my weight in a healthy range. I feel strong and confident in my ability to lift and carry and to move freely.  Blood pressure is controlled now albeit with medication. The doctor was clear that I was hitting all other markers to ensure that the medication worked well. 

My daughter now trains and says I inspire her to do it because of how I look and my positive attitude to keeping well and strong. You can’t ask for more than that really.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to start strength training?

My advice to someone wanting to get started now?

1. You are NEVER too old…. Age is a number… if you want to – then do it.
2. Get yourself a good coach. Invest in your training so you understand why you are doing each move, what it is working and how to do it right for maximum effect – find someone nurturing and kind – someone who will be compassionate as you learn. 
3. Don’t be afraid to be ’new’. Each person in the gym was new once too. They have their own insecurities and ego and will be too busy thinking about what they are doing to take an interest in you when you walk in.  Hold your head up! You are doing this for your future!
4. Don’t underestimate yourself – have the attitude of ‘I can’ rather than ‘I cannot’ – try, try and try again.  We were all strong once – we can be strong again – our muscles have an amazing memory…..
5. Do it for you so that you:
   • Can get off the toilet by yourself when you are 90.
   • Can still enjoy the bliss of a hot bubble bath without having to be put in and got back out again for as long as possible
   • Keep your brain active and healthy so you will be able to keep active in your own home, and always retain the treasure memories

I could go on, but I am sure we all have that one person who makes us want to live each day.

Need help getting started?

The Never Too Old to Lift eBook will introduce you to the 8 steps to create you own 12 week strength training program.

I would love to hear your story too

Are you currently working out regularly and have no plans on stopping as you get older?

If so I’d love to hear your story and feature it as a post within the ‘Lifter for Life’ series.

Let us all know what…

• Inspired you to get started
• Motivates you to continue
• Benefits you’ve noticed.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve only just got started or whether you’ve trained all your life.

Your story will be relatable to someone reading it and might inspire them to take the first step in their strength training journey.

This post was written by myself, Chris Tiley, a physiotherapist based out of Movement Therapy Clinics in Harborne, Birmingham. For more information on how I can help you visit christileyphysiotherapy.com