A 71-year-old world champion female powerlifter, and a young ex-footballer competing in national bodybuilding shows, show that exercise and sport is for all ages, according to a Sudbury fitness coach.
BT Fitness Coaching has lauded the success stories of two of its members at opposite ends of the age spectrum, in the hope of inspiring others to improve their health and wellbeing.
One of them is retiree Melanie Lester, who picked up gold for Team GB at the recent World Masters Powerlifting Championships in South Africa.
Melanie Lester with her trainer Ben Tracey. Picture: White Lights Media
Having started fitness classes just eight years ago, the Shimpling resident took up weightlifting under the guidance of personal trainer Ben Tracey.
Since then, Melanie has represented Britain in powerlifting competitions around the world, and now leads strength training classes for the Sudbury U3A, aimed at people aged over 65.
Mr Tracey told the Suffolk Free Press: “Initially, it was just to get fit, but Mel went from strength to strength, then progressed to powerlifting and found a real love for it.
“She decided she enjoyed the lifting so much, and really got a buzz from feeling strong, she started competing.
“Mel is a truly inspirational person whose story could help motivate others into starting exercise later on in life.
“At the U3A group, she has had people coming in around the age of 85, who were previously struggling to get out of their chair, and now they are weightlifting.”
Mr Tracey also highlighted the success of Lleyton Chubb, who is now part of the BT coaching team at the Fortify Fitness gym in Sudbury, after qualifying as a personal trainer.
Lleyton, a former member of the AFC Sudbury academy, began bodybuilding after his football career was curtailed by injury as a teenager.
The 20-year-old has since competed at his first natural bodybuilding show, at which he qualified for the national championships.
“Lleyton has gone from being told he couldn’t play football, to finding this new sport, and is doing really well,” Mr Tracey said.
“We feel his story could help other young people be inspired to pursue a dream, and make a positive change in their lives.”
He added: “What I find most inspiring about these two stories is, both of them are training at the same facility, so it shows that exercise is for any age and any gender.
“Strength training should be part of everyone’s life for their long-term health and general wellbeing.”
To learn more about BT Fitness Coaching, visit www.btfitnesscoaching.com.