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A FITNESS guru has taken the new title of the world’s oldest fitness instructor with Guinness World Records.
Tim Minnick, 81, received his personal training certification at age 73 and teaches multiple classes a day at Gold’s Gym in Austin, Texas.
Guinness World Records recognized Minnick as the world’s oldest fitness instructor in 2020 and he still holds the title today.
“What sets Tim apart from every other personal trainer in the world is the fact that he’s in his eighties,” Guinness World Records said on Monday.
Minnick took the title over from 65-year-old Wendy Ida from California.
The 81-year-old received his certification almost a decade ago from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
His inspiration to begin personal training was to participate in something that would keep him active after his wife died.
“I wanted to do something that I could feel like I’m making a contribution to somebody,” Minnick said in a video from Guinness World Records.
“And so all of a sudden I go, I was working out anyway. Pretty hard at that point. And I was up early every day, working out and all that stuff.
“So, I figured why don’t I just become a trainer.”
Minnick also explained his inspiration is derived from encouraging people to keep up with their muscle gain because it starts to become lost at age 35.
“It’s become an obsession of mine to try and touch as many people as I can that are older because the fitness level of us baby boomers is not real good,” he said in the video.
“We start losing muscle when we’re 35 years old or so.
“Unless you act to keep that going, by the time you get to 75, you’re not in good shape.
“It’s just like buying an insurance policy, in my opinion — Insurance against failing as you get older.”
People in the comments of the video said they were inspired by Minnick’s outlook on fitness.
“Very inspiring video!” one person said.
“Grandpa is doing what a 20-year-old boy cannot do. It is shocking,” another said.
“It is definitely inspiring,” this person said.
“He looks great,” another said.