Born Before Arnold Schwarznegger, This 100-Year-Old Man Is Still Competing As Bodybuilder — What’s His Secret?

Andrew Bostinto is proving that age is just a number. (Photo Source: Instagram)

When you see people in their 20s and 30s struggling with knee and back pain, it’s hard not to be amazed by Andrew Bostinto. At 100 years old, this centenarian is still stepping onto the stage as a bodybuilder – older than even Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He recently grabbed headlines as ‘The World’s Oldest Bodybuilder’ after participating in a competition. Just four months after his 100th birthday, he shocked everyone by winning the championship belt at the National Gym Association (NGA) physique competition.

Arnold, in comparison, became a household name in 1977 when the documentary Pumping Iron, showing his 1975 Mr Olympia win, introduced him to the world. At 78, Arnold is still remembered as the ultimate muscle icon, but Bostinto proves that age is just a number.

What is the secret behind Andrew’s fitness?

“I started much younger than 13. I was working out in the park already. I became a gymnast and hand balancer. Then at 17, I was already modeling,” he said.

Andrew’s advice for staying healthy and fit over a lifetime is simple but powerful. Whether it’s building strength, staying flexible, or just living an active, healthy life. Without a goal, it’s easy to lose direction and then work hard to achieve that.

“Number one thing is to know what you want to accomplish. Commit yourself to it. Be disciplined,” he said, adding “Don’t listen to people telling you you’re wasting your time. Don’t listen to negatives.”

In 1977, at the age of 52, he won the prestigious Senior Mr America title. But despite all his achievements in bodybuilding, Andrew says he is most proud of his 29 years of army service, especially during World War II.

Earlier, this year he said, “I enjoy training, and people ask me when I am going to stop. I tell them I’ll stop when I stop breathing.”

Secret Behind His Fitness

“I didn’t train for other people,” he said. He recalled when he was 17, some girls used to see his picture, (and say) “Oh, I don’t like that.” “I didn’t train for women. I trained for me. It’s something I was able to do, and (say), ‘Look what I did for myself,'” he added.

When it comes to diet, he has always followed a strict, disciplined rule. He said when he was young, he used to have a lots of protein, low carbs, two fruits, two salads, and drinking 15 glasses of water a day. Now, at 100, he doesn’t eat as much, but protein remains central.

His diet often includes scrambled eggs, yogurt, and spaghetti with meatballs. He avoids overeating and has never smoked or drunk alcohol.

Even at 100 years old, Andrew trains five to six days a week following the same kind of workouts he used to do as a bodybuilder. However, he sometimes modifies his exercise to suit his current condition as He suffered a stroke and developed leg issues from his military service during World War II.

His workouts include basic exercises like push-ups, dips, chin-ups, knee-ups, and ab work.

To those who want to become bodybuilders, he advises them to “visualize what you want, then put your mind into it as much as you do your muscles.”