I’m a 72-year-old bodybuilder more shredded than much younger men – every day I prove age is just a number

Manuel Valbuena Andes, dubbed “the Grandad Bodybuilder”, began his fitness journey at the age of 49 after his doctor advised him to improve his health following years of smoking and heavy drinking. The Spanish bodybuilder quickly developed a passion for the sport and began competing at 53, winning several shows due to his impressive physique. Andes went on to break powerlifting records in his age category and competed until the age of 72, inspiring other older bodybuilders to follow in his footsteps.

Andes tragically died in a car crash in 2016 while travelling to a competition in Alicante. Three others were severely injured but survived the event. The bodybuilder’s legend lives on, and other former competitors such as Lee Haney, 63, continue to offer advice and inspire others in the fitness space. Haney, an eight-time Mr. Olympia champion, recently advised his followers on Instagram that the key to losing weight is to ensure your body is in a calorie deficit versus consuming a surplus of calories.

Another former competitor, Frank Zane, 88, continues to hit the gym and offer advice to the next generation. Zane shared a post on his Instagram account, suggesting that stretching between sets at the gym doubles the effectiveness of a workout. “The stretch involves the muscles you are working and gives these muscles more of a pump,” Zane explained.

Andes’ story proves that age shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving fitness goals. For those looking to improve their health and fitness, it’s encouraging to see older bodybuilders like Haney and Zane continuing to inspire and offer advice to younger generations. The key takeaway is that it’s never too late to begin a fitness journey and that anyone can achieve an impressive physique through dedication and hard work.



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