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Fitness & Health

30th Mar 2016

This 78-year-old grandmother can definitely dead-lift more than you

Old school

Kevin McGillicuddy

If you over-indulged at Easter, and the last of the mini-eggs are teasing you then step this way: a 78-year-old grandmother in the USA can help.

It’s always vital to get a good mix of both cardio and strength training when you head to the gym, so we definitely want a bit of whatever Shirley Webb is having.

She has become a viral sensation after footage of her dead-lifting 225lbs has spread across the internet.

Reports suggest the 78-year-old only joined a local gym in 2014, and since then, she has been lifting some serious poundage.

The grandmother set a state record in Illinois last November at a power-lifting competition by lifting 237lbs, so this footage of three dead lifts of 225lbs is nothing to her.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDgwAE2IC9g/

Webb told Today.com that before she went  to a gym in April 2014, she was having mobility issues.

“At the time, I couldn’t walk up the stairs unless I held on to the handrail, and if I got on the floor, I couldn’t get up without a chair. Now I can come right up off the floor. The harder I work out, the better I feel.”

She is hoping her workouts can inspire others.

“I’ve seen such a remarkable difference in myself. I’m glad that people are getting inspired by me doing this. I had one lady come in the gym and say, ‘I saw your video and I decided to come down and join this club’. That makes me feel good.”

So if you’ve been tormenting yourself about getting fit or joining a gym on the basis that you ain’t getting any younger then you can relax. There’s plenty of time left.