‘I’m a bodybuilder at 101, I hit the gym for 2 hours a day, here are the secrets to my longevity’

A bodybuilding centenarian who hits the gym for two hours a day has revealed the secrets to her longevity.

Iñaxi Lasa said she “would rather be the oldest person in the gym than the youngest at the nursing home.”

She survived World War II, breast cancer, two hip fractures, an operation for glaucoma and macular degeneration, and hospitalisation for Covid-19 at 98 years of age.

“And every day I fight osteoarthritis,” she said.

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Now, 101 years old, she is considered an inspiration for her 130,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram.

The centenarian never misses a day of exercise, and she often goes with her son, Iñaki, 63.

Iñaxi, who comes from the town of Beasain near Bilbao, Spain, started training when her caregiver suffered an injury and gave her her gym membership card.

She told What’s The Jam: “I started going to the gym when I was 94, but I was already very active before that.

“I used a stationary bike and walked a lot, but they encouraged me to go to the gym and, honestly, it’s been the best thing I’ve done in recent years.

“Now in winter, I get up at 8am and go for a walk, if it’s not raining.

“Then I go to the gym with my son.

“We spend two hours doing strength training; we don’t do cardio at the gym.

“Strength training makes me feel alive, and it’s also very good for my mind.

“At first, I had two personal trainers, but now that I’ve learned the exercises, I can do them on my own.

“And as my eyesight isn’t great, my son helps me.

“Exercise is the best thing an elderly person can do for their health.”

She added: “And it’s the best medicine for longevity.”

Iñaxi also enjoys a diet of fresh veg and poultry produced in the local area.

And she attributes olive oil and vegetables for helping her reach 101 candles.

The elderly fitness influencer said: “We live in the countryside and have plenty of fruits and vegetables.

“And we eat white meat, although we used to eat beef.

“But we hardly eat any flour or sugar.

“Any food to live longer? I’d say olive oil and vegetables.

“Being active is the best, but diet is also important.”

After becoming an online sensation, Iñaxi said social media has helped to “empower” senior citizens like her.

With the help of her son, she quickly racked up 112,000 TikTok fans “almost by accident”.

Iñaxi said: “We started messing about on social media like a game.

“We have a good time recording them, but we didn’t think anyone would pay attention to us.

“Social media serves to empower older people and give visibility to a community that has been hit hard by life.”

Iñaxi, who worked in farming, added: “I really like that I’m an example for other people.

“At least that’s what they tell me when they write to me.”

Despite her ripe old age, Iñaxi doesn’t have any grandchildren.

She said: “I was born in 1924 in a farmhouse in the Basque Country.

“I was the third of five sisters; my father died when I was eight years old.

“I got married quite late at 34. My husband’s name was Gregorio, and we had one son, who is single and available.

“I don’t have any grandchildren.

“Gregorio and I worked in the fields for many years.”

Iñaxi also wanted to pass on a message to younger generations.

“The important thing is to have a goal, no matter what it is, no matter how small,” she said.

“You have to have motivation to get out of bed and to do things, and for all that, you need to be somewhat functional.

“The gym and exercise will help with all of that.

“Life is a constant fight, and you have to keep fighting with determination.

“You have to fight and never give up, become strong in the face of adversity, and never give up.

“See the solutions before the problems arise, although sometimes it’s not easy.”

Many health experts also recommend that elderly people take up exercise to keep their bodies and minds in good shape.

Dr David Ezpeleta, vice president of the Spanish Society of Neurology, said physical activity “improves cerebral vascularisation, helps form new neuronal connections.”

He said it “and is associated with healthier brain ageing, delaying the onset of symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases.”

Coral Sanfeliu, researcher at the Spanish National Research Council, said: “Population studies show that exercise reduces all-cause mortality in adults aged 50 to 70.”

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