‘Ageless grannies’: Chinese woman, 60, wows with toned body and youthful looks, turns popular fitness coach thanks to 22-year thirst for exercise
- More than two decades after taking up a daily exercise regime, elderly Chinese woman now has figure of someone half her age
- In her 50s she was member of a group of fitness-obsessed women who became known as the ‘ageless grannies’
A 60-year-old woman from China has become the envy of many online thanks to a physique she has built through disciplined fitness training.
Bao Xiaoling, 60, from Jiangsu province in the east of the country, is a pensioner as well as a part-time cardio trainer at five gyms, the Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation reported on June 12.
She has been obsessed with fitness training since the age of 38 when she attended an aerobics course to lose weight after finding she could no longer fit into her clothes.
It was a time when fitness culture had just emerged in China and most gyms only offered simple workouts like aerobics.
After attending the fitness class for six months, Bao said other members told her that her movements were of a higher standard than those of their coach.
Encouraged by the flattery, she signed up for the aerobics instructor certification exam. She said only six or seven people from her province sat the exam, which she passed.
In another interview with Qianjiang Evening News, the gym lover said her daily routine included waking up at 7.30am and working out before breakfast.
Every day between 3pm and 4pm is her time to pump iron.
“My waist size was 27 inches (68.6cm) when I was 20, and now it is 25 inches (63.5cm),” she said.
Bao said she had a group of fans in their 20s who followed her lifestyle and training routines.
“Fitness has become a part of my life,” Bao said. “My biggest lessons from my 20 years of fitness training is that exercise brings confidence, health and a young mentality.”
She said keeping fit did not have an age limit, and did not necessarily have to take place in gyms.
On Chinese social media, many said they were inspired by her optimistic outlook.
“I hope I can be like her when I am 60,” one woman said.
“She is not an auntie, but a sister,” said another, referring to Bao’s age-defying appearance.
“Exercise makes a person young, both physically and mentally,” a third commented.
Previously, Bao was a member of a group of women who kept daily fitness routines in their 50s. All looking much younger than their years, the group of eight named themselves the “ageless grannies”.
An age-defying man, 73-year-old Hu Hai, dubbed Shanghai’s “most modern grandpa”, also made headlines earlier this year.
Hu said he looked so fit and young that many people were confused when they saw him, not knowing if they should address him as brother, uncle or grandpa.
He said his secret to staying young was eating frugally and regular exercise.
