Andrew Bostinto has been lifting weights longer than most people have been alive. At 100 years old, the New York–born athlete still trains nearly every day and still competes. His secret to staying strong and motivated for nearly nine decades is surprisingly simple: do what you love, and keep doing it.
Bostinto, who began bodybuilding at age 12, has spent a lifetime breaking limits. As the founder and CEO of the National Gym Association (NGA), he’s built a career promoting natural bodybuilding and healthy living. Here, we’ll look at how he’s kept his passion alive for almost a century and what his story can teach anyone about staying active and fulfilled later in life.
A lifetime built on passion and persistence
For Bostinto, bodybuilding is part of who he is. “People ask me when I am going to stop”, he told Muscle & Fitness. “I tell them I’ll stop when I stop breathing”. That mindset has carried him through decades of competition, military service, and recovery from health setbacks.
He began training in the 1930s, long before gyms became mainstream. By 17, he was already modeling for fitness magazines. After serving 29 years in the U.S. Army, including during World War II, he returned to competitive bodybuilding. In 1977, at 52, he won the “Senior Mr. America” title, one of his proudest achievements.
Now, a century old, Bostinto still trains five to six days a week. His routine has changed over time, especially after a stroke and lingering leg issues from his military days. But instead of quitting, he adapted. “I find ways to compensate when I am training”, he said. “Even though my right arm is not as good as my left, I still do reps until I feel it on the right side”.
This year, just months after turning 100, Bostinto competed in the NGA’s physique contest in Florida, earning a championship belt and trophy. His wife, Francine—who serves as NGA president—believes he’s the oldest competitive bodybuilder in the world still training. Judging by his routine, he has no plans to slow down.
“I did everything I wanted to do in bodybuilding and the Army”, he said. “But you know what? I still live my life for me. As long as I love what I am doing, I should keep doing it”.
What older adults can learn from this bodybuilder’s mindset
Bostinto’s story is a reminder that staying active and purposeful is central as we age. Here are a few takeaways from his example:
- Stay consistent. Movement keeps the body and mind sharp. Even if your workout changes, the key is to keep showing up.
- Adapt, don’t quit. As the body ages, it’s normal to adjust routines. Bostinto modifies exercises to suit his needs instead of giving up on them.
- Find meaning in movement. Doing something you love keeps motivation alive far longer than willpower alone.
- Visualize success. His advice for aspiring bodybuilders is to “visualize what you want, then put your mind into it as much as you do your muscles”.
- Surround yourself with support. His lifelong partnership with Francine and his community through the NGA helped fuel his purpose.
Bostinto proves that passion doesn’t have an expiration date. His mindset might be the secret to staying strong at any age.