“Do today what others won’t, so tomorrow you can do what others can’t.”
Meet Peter
This Lifter for Life post will introduce you to Peter who has kindly agreed to share his story. Peter tells us how a heart attack at the age of 44 years old keeps him motivated with his new found love of lifting weights.
Do you mind saying how old you are?
I am 66 and I started weight training when I was 63.
What regular exercise had you done in the past?
I have always been active. I’m a regular (slow) runner and was a competitive swimmer in my youth.
I still swim regularly twice a week. I can cover 2000 metres in under 40 minutes.
For over 30 years I trained and taught karate and achieved my 6th Dan black belt in Wado Ryu karate. I also attained my 2nd Dan black belt in ju jitsu.
I still train at home, kata (forms) and kumite (basics) as well as punchbag workouts. I’m not involved with a dojo (club) anymore.
What motivated you to start lifting weights when you did?
My son (who is a personal trainer) recommended that it would, going into old age, help with bone health, weight loss and general strength.
What does your current workout routine look like?
I don’t attend a gym as I prefer working out in my garden with my own equipment, in all weather conditions.
I usually train four sessions a week. I don’t target specific areas and instead like to do a full-body workout each session.
I like to train in an afternoon as I prefer to do cardio in the mornings.
What continues to motivate you to keep up with your workout routine?
I suffered a heart attack at the age of 44, even though I was very active and, at the time, a vegetarian. A blood clot and an occluded artery did me no favours.
Six years later I needed a stent. This, along with my father’s heart history and my mother, sister and brother all dying before retirement age, has kept me very motivated.
Do you have any goals that you are working towards?
My goal is to not go into old age unable to get around under my own steam. I see too many people, my family included, who give in to old age.
Are there any other active hobbies or sports that you enjoy at present?
I like to swim, run, and keep my karate training up. I walk a lot as I never learned to drive. I love music, especially Mike Oldfield, Thin Lizzy, and The Pogues.
What barriers might there be to you persevering with strength training?
The only barriers I can see in the future is getting older and any deterioration in health. This is something that I am fighting against.
What strategies have you developed to manage these barriers?
My strategy is to stay motivated, I do this by talking with my wife about all our family members who have passed away too soon.
What benefits have you noticed since starting to lift weights?
I have noticed that when doing physical work; gardening, decorating etc., that I now have more muscular endurance.
Cardiovascular endurance has never been a problem given the swimming that I do. Lifting weights has improved my ability to carry out physical work tremendously.
How do your friends and family react to you lifting weights?
My family is very supportive and encouraging, especially my personal trainer son.
What did you find the most difficult part of strength training when you first started?
The most difficult part of strength training, when I first started, was my over enthusiasm leading to a great deal of soreness. I started out lifting too heavy.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to get started now?
Do some research and get a plan. Don’t start with heavy weights. If you attend a gym get help to produce a good workout program.
Do today what others won’t, so tomorrow you can do what others can’t.
Has Peter Inspired You to Start your Strength Training Journey?
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3 Responses
Hi Chris
I have bought your book and I think it is great.
My question is can I use resistance bands ?
Best wishes
Tony
Hi Tony. Thanks for the kind words and glad to hear that you like the book. Yes, you can definitely utilise resistance bands for most of the exercises. However it does become difficult to push the muscles to failure with the leg exercises. They are better for the arm/trunk exercises, particularly the pull and rotation variations.
I use resistance bands and find them ok for most upper body work. I might suggest a barbell and a few weights to start with for legs etc. Which is what I have done having given up going to the gym and powerlifting and now train at home.i will in fact will be 72 at the end of this year.