57-year-old man grabs gold medals in body building competition

World
Europe

A 57-year-old Chinese man has won gold medals in a body building competition in north China’s Shanxi Province. His photos showing the beautiful lines of his muscles have amazed many netizens. This elderly man used to have some serious health problems, which have all been solved by his persistent workouts.

Pan Xiping lives in the city of Yangquan. He’s been working out for three years but has already grabbed two medals in a provincial bodybuilding competition, one from the 60-kilogram level race and the other from the elderly race. He also ranked fifth in a national competition.

Pan’s home fitness room looks even more professional than a fitness club. /CGTN Photo

In order to be able to work out at any time, Pan also set up his own fitness room in his home. It's over 70 square meters and now has nine kinds of fitness equipment.

Pan is 5.2 feet tall. In 2013, he weighed around 176 pounds. Now, after three years of practicing, he weighs 132 pounds, a 25% loss. He used to suffer from poor health which made him decide to work out.

Many old friends of Pan can’t recognize the jacked and sculpted him now. /CGTN Photo

Several years ago, Pan had serious lumbar disc protrusion and blood problems of high pressure, cholesterol and sugar. But as he began to work out, these health problems have gradually been relieved. Pan says he’s now in excellent health.

Pan says the most difficult part is not the intense practicing every day, but keeping a very healthy diet. He used to enjoy salty, greasy and sweet food that are bad for health. Later when he turned to a light and nutritious diet, he felt quite uncomfortable. It took him half a year to get used to it.

Pan found the change of diet is the most difficult for him. /CGTN Photo

Pan used to take drugs for his health problems for over six years. He says taking drugs can never heal some rooted health problems and continuous practicing is the best way to keep doctors away. He now feels like he’s ten years younger than before and full of strength.

Pan once worked out in a fitness club for a month and then he came home to practice on his own. /CGTN Photo

Pan says it usually takes at least five years to win a gold medal but he did it only in three years. He’s quite confident to win a medal in next year’s national competition.

57-year-old Pan believes it’s never too late to start practicing. /CGTN Photo

He used to work out for 1.5 hours a day. Now he works out doubling the time to twice a day and has also sought advice from some professionals in this field. He says he is now concentrating on his workouts every day and there’s nothing more important than realizing his next goal.