At 73, Lola Is Just Getting Started: How Fitness, Weightlifting & Community Changed Her Life

(A CrossFit Heath Member Story That Redefines What’s Possible)

If you think fitness has an age limit, think again.

Meet Lola—she’s 73 years old, full of life, and stronger now than she’s ever been. Over the last year and a half at CrossFit Heath, Lola has embraced the gym, tackled weightlifting, and completely redefined what “healthy aging” looks like.

She’s:

• ✅ Lost body fat
  
  
• ✅ Gained lean muscle
  
  
• ✅ Improved every major health marker (cholesterol, blood pressure, mobility—you name it)
  
  
• ✅ And most of all, regained a level of confidence and strength she hadn’t felt in decades
  
  

This isn’t just a success story. It’s proof that with the right gym, the right coaches, and the right community—fitness can be for life.

A Different Kind of Beginning

Lola didn’t walk into CrossFit Heath with athletic experience. She wasn’t looking to compete or chase a PR. She just wanted to move better, feel better, and be able to do the things she loves—without pain, fear, or fatigue.

That first step—walking into a gym at 71—takes courage. But what she found here wasn’t judgment. It was support, structure, and a clear path forward.

How Weightlifting & Strength Training Changed Everything

One of the biggest misconceptions about fitness over 60 is that it should only involve gentle movement. But the science (and Lola’s story) says otherwise.

Strength training—especially weightlifting in a gym setting with good coaching—is one of the most powerful tools for preserving muscle, protecting joints, improving bone density, and boosting metabolism.

And guess what? Lola lifts weights multiple days a week now.

Her workouts include:

• Modified barbell work
  
  
• Dumbbells and kettlebells
  
  
• Functional bodyweight movements
  
  
• Cardio and aerobic conditioning
  All of it scaled to her ability, all of it coach-led, and all of it safe and effective.
  
  

The Health Impact: Numbers Don’t Lie

Since joining CrossFit Heath, Lola’s numbers have improved across the board:

• 🩺 Lower blood pressure
  
  
• 💪 Increased muscle mass
  
  
• ⚖️ Decreased body fat
  
  
• 🔋 More energy, stamina, and confidence
  
  

And it’s not just what’s happening inside. Lola moves better, walks faster, and gets up and down with ease. She’s reversed her physical decline.

Why a Fitness Community Matters—Especially Later in Life

Lola didn’t just gain strength—she gained a community.

She trains alongside people half her age—and sometimes even a third her age—but always with full respect and encouragement from every coach and classmate.

The CrossFit Heath environment thrives on inclusion, support, and progress over perfection. Everyone moves at their own pace. Everyone is coached. And everyone gets better together.

“I’ve never once felt like I didn’t belong. Everyone encourages me. The coaches modify everything and still push me to grow.”

That’s the power of the right gym. The right fitness culture. The right kind of weightlifting program.

And it’s why we believe stories like Lola’s need to be told.

Why It’s Never Too Late to Start

Aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down.
It doesn’t have to mean aches and pains, stiffness, or loss of independence.

With consistent training, smart programming, and great coaching, people in their 60s, 70s, and beyond can:

• Build muscle
  
  
• Burn fat
  
  
• Improve balance and coordination
  
  
• Strengthen joints and bones
  
  
• Boost mental clarity
  
  
• And rediscover a level of vitality they thought was gone
  
  

Lola is living proof.

And the best part?
She’s just getting started.

You Don’t Have to Be Young to Be Fit. You Just Have to Start.

Whether you’re 30, 50, or 73 like Lola—your body will thank you for choosing movement over passivity, strength over stiffness, and community over isolation.

At CrossFit Heath, we specialize in coaching real people through real transformations—no matter your age, background, or experience level.

👉 Book your free intro session today You’ll sit down with a coach, talk through your goals, and find out exactly how we’ll help you move, feel, and live better—at any age.