Woman Starts Lifting at 68, Leg Presses 300 Pounds at 70

At 67, a terrible fall shattered more than bones for this lifelong dancer and fitness lover. It broke her spirit, leaving her dependent on others for basic tasks and questioning if she'd ever move freely again.

The fall fractured her left femur and both bones in her left wrist, landing her in rehab for four weeks. Simple acts like getting dressed required help, and depression settled in as she grieved her active lifestyle.

But her surgeon and physical therapist kept reminding her that her body remembered what it once knew. She refused to let her story end with limited mobility, setting a new goal: become the strongest version of herself, not just recover.

Seven months after the fall, she got medical clearance to exercise again. Her doctor explained that preventing future injuries meant building strength and bone density through resistance training, something she'd always avoided for fear of getting "bulky."

She started working with personal trainer Barrett Weber, beginning with mobility exercises and bodyweight movements. Unilateral exercises helped correct muscle imbalances from months of favoring her uninjured side.

Her functional strength improved steadily. Stairs became easier, lifting heavy bags didn't hurt her wrist, and her confidence soared. To her surprise, she fell in love with strength training and increased sessions to three times weekly.

She also learned to count macros and fuel her body properly, eating 140 grams of protein daily along with adequate carbs and fats. Instead of restricting calories, she focused on eating to become stronger and healthier.

Today at almost 71, she works out at least five times a week. She leg presses 300 pounds, deadlifts 170 pounds, and squats 105 pounds. She recently won a local weightlifting competition in her age group.

Her routine includes three strength training sessions weekly, plus Reformer Pilates four to five days a week. Lower body training is her favorite, a remarkable achievement considering her broken femur once left her unable to walk.

Why This Inspires

This transformation proves it's never too late to build strength and rewrite your story. She didn't just recover from a devastating injury; she became stronger than she was before it happened, turning tragedy into triumph through determination and proper training.

Now she's living proof that strength training after 65 can dramatically improve quality of life, bone density, and independence.