Strong and Vital No 1

YouTube LINKs to IFAA and Decathlon Championships https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LDfx958Qgc and many more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD7D8BY2d1c

His book AGE is just a numer: ISBN 978--7515-6537-9

CE : I heard a lecture by a professor from Copenhagen who proved that you can build muscle at any age. His oldest test subject was 105 years old. I was amazed that these scientific findings were not being put into practice, or not enough. And so I thought I could start bodybuilding as an «86-year old guinea pig». At the same time, however, I also had to pay attention to my diet. In the first year I lost 12 kilos, namely 1 kilo per month, and now I’m the same weight as when I was recruited. SG : Did you consciously want to lose the 12 kilos or did this happen as a consequence of your training? I have heard that there was a bit of vanity involved. CE : The loss of the 12 kilos was precisely planned, one kilo per month, and it worked without the slightest difficulty, with training and a conscious diet. Of course, vanity played a role. Today I have a better posture and a greater body than ever before. SG : And what about your well-being? CE : (laughs) SENSATIONAL! I am happy that I have managed to achieve such a good body at my age. People turn round to look at me on the beach. SG : How do you see 2009 and your future? CE : Well, first of all, I will continue to work on the flaws in myself that FITNESS DECATHLON has uncovered. Secondly, I hope to improve my performance and get like-minded people of my age group interested in this sport. SG : One final word, please. CE : Do not wait until you’re 90 to experience the benefits of weight training. Although of course it is still possible at 90.

Editor’s note I myself was an active STRENFLEX Decathlon athlete and multiple world champion. It was always an honour to train and compete with much older people. Charles Eugster won various STRENFLEX world titles as well as IFAA world titles in different athletics disciplines, 100m, 200m, 400 and long jump. His coach Sylvia Gattiker motivated him to perform at his best. In parallel he trained his muscles intensively with weights, just like any other athlete. But the ambition of a great man to present himself at the press conference at the Royal Academy in London. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack when he was about to turn 98, before the press conference dedicated to his world champion title at the IFAA in India. His entourage advised him on several occasions to rest more often considering his age, commitments and frequent flights. He showed that the human body is able to face any challenge and achieve victory - even at a late age. Charles Eugster, a great role model who not only talked the talk, but also walked the walk. If today’s healthcare system were based on the knowledge he and his trainer had, many more people would be healthy. Jean-Pierre Schupp

STRONG and VITAL No. 1 - 2024

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