Senior Weightlifting Wonder (UMTV)

More at http://UMC.org/Videos/. At 72, Ernestine Shepherd runs marathons, competes in -- and wins -- bodybuilding competitions, and as Barry Simmons reports, defies anyone to tell her she's getting old.

Ernestine leads class: "Leg goes straight out. Everybody okay with that?"

Once a week at Union Memorial United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland...

Ernestine: "Two"

...Ernestine Shepherd leads an exercise class for senior citizens.

Ernestine: "This is what Michele Obama does to get her bi's looking good!"

Ernestine is not just their instructor. She is, at 72-years-old...

Participant: "I just want to thank you."

....their inspiration.

Ida Massey, Student: "When you look at her and then you look at yourself, you're inspired to work a little harder. Sometimes I wonder how she does it."

Ernestine, born during the Roosevelt administration, runs 80 miles a week, lifts weights nearly every day

Trainer: "Look at those guns."

Ernestine: "Okay let's have some fun."

...and in-between, leads classes at her church and gym.

Maggie Johnson, Student: "When I walked in I said, 'Okay, 'I want you to do whatever you did to make me look like you."

She has a bookshelf filled with trophies, but most surprising is this one from a bodybuilding competition...

Ernestine: "No one was my age, no one was."

...where she came in first place.

Ernestine: "I was so proud to be up there on that stage."

Some wonder why -- at 72 -- Ernestine works so hard...

Ernestine: "Give me fifteen."

Ernestine: "They feel that they can't come into the exercise class. 'I don't want to come, someone will laugh.' I reach out to them to let them know that they too can exercise."

Ernestine hopes other seniors will discover a love for fitness...

Ernestine: "Work those tris."

...they just hope whatever Ernestine is doing...

Ernestine: "Put your arms out there honey."

... is contagious.

TAG:

Ernestine was recently contacted by the Guinness Book of World Records. They think she may hold the record for the world's oldest performing female bodybuilder.

You can contact Ernestine Shepherd through her church: Union Memorial United Methodist Church, 410-945-2723.‎

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

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• Health
• Fitness
• Body-building
• Senior
• Citizens
• united
• Methodist
• church
• umc
• Baltimore
• Maryland
• MD
• union
• memorial
• exercise
• aging
• United Methodist Church
• UMC
• UMC.org
• UMTV
• United Methodist TV

[girlinseattle]

She wasn't always this way. She started working out at 60! Quite an inspiration.

[WhatsHappening783402]

Yea, there Are no excuses. If you want to be strong, in shape, youthful appearance, energetic, Eat healthy, exercise. If you want to be overweight, risk stroke, high cholesterol, deep wrinkles, weak bones, no energy, keep eating shit foods. Time to take responsability, if others can do it, You can. Convenience=lazy

[jehanerin]

Wow! Who are the 3 fools who disliked this vid?! She is amazing! Definitely inspiring for me. I've been running for about a year and have had some setbacks but now there are no more excuses for me.. just do it.

[union1803]

You are inspiring

[Smileyyy21]

1:15 some wonder wow. Its not bad at all she's doing everything right I'm sure her health is top notch. This is what we all need to do but that would be the fast food industries nightmare.

[TColeTrainT]

Weightlifting is the fountain of youth

[lilbrowngirl1]

You are simply a Beautiful person that shines in this video, what you are doing with others makes an individual have an aspiration to want to become fit. True Blessings for you.

[22latice]

@22latice actually 56 just checked her site:-)

[22latice]

@girlinseattle actually she started at 54, which is still so inspiring i know ppl that are complaining that they are too old and they are only in there 40s

[Drivingeuro]

God Bless her!!! She is AWSOME!!!

[FCA1975]

She looks more youthful than some women half her age. Die her hair and she could be late 40's all day!

[TruthSurge]

3 dislikes. probably 3 of the contestants she smoked in that contest. :)