“I’m Running on All Cylinders”: 56-Year-Old Former Weightlifter Spills Secrets to Maintaining a Great Shape in Old Age

Age is just a number, and one doesn’t need to be young to be in shape. Following this inspiring moral, professional weightlifter Rod Ketchens trained every day, despite being over 50 years old. The athlete had previously established himself in the fitness world through various competitions and titles. Now, the former weightlifter enjoys training clients.

In a recent interview with the Sioux City Journal, the 56-year-old professional weightlifter had a lot of knowledge to share. Although his age to compete has passed on, Ketchens believed that a personal trainer should always look in shape. Therefore, he came up with some tips to maintain one’s body during middle age and older.

Rod Ketchens’ tips to get a better body: Age no bar

When one grows old, the body needs maintenance and a different workout routine. Even popular bodybuilders like Frank Zane swore by working out in old age. Depending on one’s strengths and abilities, Ketchens described it as more of muscle maintenance than bulking up. Having performed both as a weightlifter and bodybuilder, the athlete now has a wide range of clients aged anywhere between 5 and 80.

This is why he stresses staying in shape. For Ketchens, it’s necessary since his clients would prefer to see a personal trainer who looks fit. However, maintaining one’s body and working out as one grows older has its benefits. The former professional considers it a necessary step in order to improve strength and balance in old age.

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Personally, Ketchen liked his workouts varied, with a lot of resistance training. He would alternate between weight training and cardio, but only to keep up with his good shape. This helped his heart remain healthy while keeping his mental health in check. The former professional confessed, “I feel more alert when I’m working out…I feel like I’m running on all cylinders.”

As always, a good workout should always be paired with a good diet. Ketchens believed that while one couldn’t completely avoid ailments, having an active and healthy lifestyle was always helpful. Just like other older bodybuilders like Frank Zane, he believed that the hustle didn’t stop after a certain age. In the end, the former bodybuilder knows and respects his roots.

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Bodybuilding and weightlifting were a part of his younger days, and he would continue to train and help others train for as long as he could.