80-Year-Old's Rigorous Exercise Routine Can Give Gen-Z A Run For Their Money

In a society that often associates ageing with limitations, retired IPS officer LC Amarnathan is challenging stereotypes and inspiring individuals of all ages with his commitment toward fitness. The 80-year-old, showcased by IPS officer Arun Bothra on social media, has adopted a disciplined and challenging exercise routine.

Arun Bothra, known for his active presence on social media, recently shared images of LC Amarnathan engaged in a variety of exercises at the gym. The post captioned “This is what inspiration looked like today morning. Mr. LC Amarnathan, IPS (Rtd.) is 80 years old.” The post has garnered significant attention, amassing 74,000 views on the platform. The comments section reflects the amazement and admiration of users, praising the IPS officer for his dedication to fitness.

Several users expressed astonishment. A user wrote,“O bhai!! Yaha to inki half se bhi kafi kam age ne bhi itna nahi ho raha hai” (“Oh brother!! Even people half his age are not doing this much”).

Another commented, “Inspiration.”

While a user added, “Quite fit at this age. Really impressive.”

Amidst the admiration, the question arises: How much physical activity do older adults need? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals aged 65 and older should aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity. Additionally, two days a week should be dedicated to activities that strengthen muscles, accompanied by exercises improving balance, such as standing on one foot.

For those facing chronic conditions, the recommendation is to be as physically active as their abilities and conditions allow. Recent research on resistance exercise and the elderly has shown promising results, challenging previous assumptions. Even individuals in their 80s and 90s, who had never engaged in weight training before, exhibited significant gains after starting a supervised program of lifting weights three times a week.

The author of the book, The Physiology of Resistance Training, Erik Lundberg, highlighted the significance of the research, stating to The Washington Post, “It’s never too late for older people to start lifting weights. They can increase both their muscle size and their strength.”

This challenges the historical practice of capping age limits for weight-training research at around 75 due to concerns about older individuals handling the training or their muscles responding effectively.