Whoever declared that old age and bodybuilding simply don’t mix clearly never met Jim Arrington. At 90 years young, this Californian legend is still owning the stage—and maybe making a few folks rethink their evening yoga routine.
A Guinness-Worthy Journey
Jim Arrington’s name isn’t just whispered in gym locker rooms: in 2015, the Guinness World Records crowned him as the world’s oldest bodybuilder. That’s right, the official annual registry for feats you never thought possible has recognized his unrivaled longevity and iron will.
Far from resting on his laurels—or, for that matter, his dumbbells—Arrington has only kept pushing. Recently, he flexed his way to a third-place finish in the men’s over-70 division at a major International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness competition held in Reno, Nevada. If you’re doing the math, yes: at 90, he’s taking on competitors decades his junior.
But wait, there’s more! As the only participant in his age grouping, Arrington also took home first place in the over-80 men’s category, as reported by the British daily The Guardian. Sometimes showing up truly is half the battle—though with Arrington, the other half involves dedicated prep and some serious biceps.
The Power of Relentless Routine
What makes these achievements truly remarkable isn’t just the medals, but the iron discipline behind them. More than seventy years after he first picked up a weight, Arrington still heads to the gym three times a week. Each session is a two-hour odyssey of strength and sweat. As Arrington himself told Guinness World Records, “It burns, but—as they say—no pain, no gain!” (He actually started lifting way back in 1947, aged just fifteen. If you’re looking for the secret sauce, it might just be persistent effort spread out over, say, seven decades.)
The respect from his gym community is proof enough: one trainer at Arrington’s workout spot confessed that Jim “trains better than 60% of my clients or anyone who comes here!” So next time someone tells you they’re too old (or too busy) for the gym, just point to Jim.
The Diet Evolution: From Steak to Shiitake
While steadfast training keeps the muscles in motion, Arrington also credits his longevity to a tailored diet. His journey began with serious health challenges—born prematurely and weighing only 2.5 kg at birth, he had to make careful nutritional choices. For years, Jim stuck to “a lot of milk” and “a lot of beef,” two foods he wasn’t allergic to, aiming to fuel muscle growth and recovery.
This high-protein regimen played its part in his development, but, with time, unintended consequences popped up. Eventually, Arrington noticed the diet was causing inflammation—prompting him to completely rethink his approach.
What’s on the menu now? Arrington keeps things wholesome, focusing mainly on:
- Mushrooms
- Foods high in olive oil
- Other healthy products
He explains, “I told myself that if I did this, I could keep training.” And there you have it: sometimes the solution is to swap your steak for shiitake (with a good drizzle of olive oil, naturally).
A Champion Who Refuses to Quit
Call it resilience, call it stubbornness: Jim Arrington has shown that you don’t have to put your dumbbells away just because the candles on your birthday cake threaten to set off the fire alarm. Year after year, he proves that passion, discipline, and the willingness to adapt can keep you at the top of your game—at any age.
If his story inspires you—and let’s face it, it probably should—perhaps you’ll rethink your next workout, or at least reach for those mushrooms next dinner. After all, if Jim Arrington can keep going strong at 90, what’s stopping the rest of us from chasing our dreams, one rep at a time?
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
