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Fitness & Health

30th Mar 2016

This 78-year-old grandmother can definitely dead-lift more than you

Old school

Kevin McGillicuddy

If you over-indulged at Easter, and the last of the mini-eggs are teasing you then step this way: a 78-year-old grandmother in the USA can help.

It’s always vital to get a good mix of both cardio and strength training when you head to the gym, so we definitely want a bit of whatever Shirley Webb is having.

She has become a viral sensation after footage of her dead-lifting 225lbs has spread across the internet.

Reports suggest the 78-year-old only joined a local gym in 2014, and since then, she has been lifting some serious poundage.

The grandmother set a state record in Illinois last November at a power-lifting competition by lifting 237lbs, so this footage of three dead lifts of 225lbs is nothing to her.

Shirley is 78 years old but she can deadlift 225 pounds three times! (via @jwright0123)

A video posted by Sports Videos (@houseofhighlights) on

Webb told Today.com that before she went  to a gym in April 2014, she was having mobility issues.

“At the time, I couldn’t walk up the stairs unless I held on to the handrail, and if I got on the floor, I couldn’t get up without a chair. Now I can come right up off the floor. The harder I work out, the better I feel.”

She is hoping her workouts can inspire others.

“I’ve seen such a remarkable difference in myself. I’m glad that people are getting inspired by me doing this. I had one lady come in the gym and say, ‘I saw your video and I decided to come down and join this club’. That makes me feel good.”

So if you’ve been tormenting yourself about getting fit or joining a gym on the basis that you ain’t getting any younger then you can relax. There’s plenty of time left.