Never Too Old to Work Out

By Al Kavadlo | Published: September 20, 2011

A lot of people in the calisthenics community know about Tompkins Square Park. It’s where the Bar-barians train, it’s where I train and thanks to youtube, it’s become a legendary park for bar training all over the world.

There is another group that trains at TSP, however. One that you’ve probably never heard of unless you’ve spent some time there yourself. That is, until now.

Old Dogs, New Tricks
A lot of people write to me with concerns about starting strength training later in life. In the video below, you’ll see three men in their 50′s and 60′s busting out some high level calisthenics. One of the fellows featured didn’t even begin this type of training until his 50′s.

You don’t stop working out because you get old, you get old because you stop working out.

Prepare to be amazed:

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    • Jimmy Gee

      Great to see!!  I started back into working out around age 48.  Four years into it and my weight is down ~40lbs and energy is up.  Calisthenics are a great way to keep moving, which is what it’s all about.

    • youthser

      Hahahah that dude at the end is legendary! did you ask if he was ever a circus performer? the sound he makes at the end is pretty typical and is meant to invite applause from the crowd.

      Great stuff Al, thanks for putting these guys on the map!

    • Alex

      Nice video!!! Thank you.

    • Alex

      Nice video!!! Thank you

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Yeah he’s the man!  His name is Alexander Merinov and yes, I believe he is/was a circus performer. 

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks, Jimmy!  Keep up the good work!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks for being in it, Alex!

    • Anil

      I am 31 and have been thinking if I am late about starting calisthenics. Now all  bad feelings gone :) All those guys are fantastic… :)

    • Feinguy

      Way to make me feel lazy Al.   :o )

    • James

      I do believe that his is him: http://www.youtube.com/user/AlexMerinov

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Don’t blame me if you feel lazy.  Go work out!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Good to get some perspective, eh?  :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/giancarlov1 Giancarlo Vinciguerra

      Love the new video and we all fell in love with your new friend!

    • John Ricci

      The Bob Rob team are getting that money…. Damn I wish I was in that shape now at 40… yes I know I can be….and the man at the end is something….

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Yeah he’s a loveable guy!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Yeah he’s a loveable guy!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Sounds like you’re inspired, John!  How are your pull-ups coming along?

    • Anil

       Definately :)

    • Pjod71

      yeesss! Truly inspirational. Even if it takes me 20 years I’m gonna get that one arm pull up

    • Steve
    • Anonymous

      One of your all time best posts Al.  Seriously.  I glad finally Bob let you film him!

    • Anonymous

      I mean I’m glad, not I glad.

    • Trevor

      John I’m right with you there.  I’m 38 and I can’t do half of that stuff.  But I’m inspired to and I’ll get there.  Although, I’m close to some of the stuff.  It will take a few years.  But I want to grow up like these guys.

    • Mike Opteris

      You tell ‘em Al! A change of lifestyle and your tutorials helped me to get fit starting when I was 51! Now at 52, I feel better, look better and am far healthier than I’ve been since my early 20′s.  And the best part, it’s easy when you do it like Al!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Congrats, Mike!  Glad to have helped – keep passing that inspiration on to others!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks, Danny!  I knew what you meant.  :)

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      That’s the spirit!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Haha – right on, Trevor!  Keep training hard!

    • http://www.bodyrock.tv Maria Pili

      wow that was really cool !!

      found your blog some time ago… love it !! i must admit though i just read it cause i find it way too hard for me to even try to start with this kind of training… feel too old (im 30) and totally out of shape. but after seeing this … god i want to grow up being as fit as them !! 

      any advice on how i can get started with calisthenics? (im already training with bodyweight exercises.. hiit and tabata … but im nowhere near to do a single pull up yet)
      thanks! (and sorry for my english)

    • alex from germany

      Great article. remembers me of my grandvather, who’s now in his 80es and still drives 12.000 km (about 7400ml) with his bike and swims 250 km (155 ml) in one year. yesterday, he called and told me that he finishes his third (!) circumnavigation of the earth in two months. and he started working out with 67!
      ”the only limitation is your creativity.” Yes, Al!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Right on, Alex!  You’re grandfather would fit in nicely with these guys!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Glad this post inspired you, Maria – 30 is certainly not old!

      Start with the level one exercises listed here: http://www.alkavadlo.com/2010/05/mastering-your-body-weight/

      Also check out this post on learning to do pull-ups: http://www.alkavadlo.com/2010/09/learning-to-do-a-pull-up/

    • Jenifer (zoebird)

      So, I’ve spent the better part of several half-hours (since that’s how my life is broken up, into half-hour segments) watching Al’s videos and getting inspiration and stuff. And this is my primary take-away:

      Al is full of awesomeness. 

      This awesomeness mirrors my own awesomeness. 

      I can have all kinds of awesome fun discovering my awesomeness, which Al demonstrates for me in videos.

      You are never too old (or too young) for awesomeness.

      Thanks, Al!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Well said, Jenifer.  We are all reflections of one another.  Glad I’ve helped you tap into your awesomeness.  :)

    • Belatrix

      That is truly inspirational. I want to grow up to be like the guys in this video. I have to remember to bookmark this & show it to my mom. I love her dearly but when I told her what I do for exercise she said “you will have to accept (and act) your age eventually”. Oh well, different generation…  That said, I sometimes wish I had started working out earlier and not just a year ago. I’ve seen tremendous progress but I could have been so much further along the path to awesomeness if I’d started 20 years ago! ;)

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      It’s easy to try to rewrite history, but the only time to take action is the present.  Good for you on your progress – maybe you’ll inspire your mom!

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    • Jguyc405

      awesome as always

    • Steve23

      this is gay

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    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Haha, Steve23 – you are so clever and hilarious!

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Thanks, Jguyc405!

    • Mel

      Awesome! My dad has always been active, but I introduced him to Crossfit around age 67. He just turned 69 & despite scoliosis, he’s probably in the best shape of his life! He called to tell me he’d recently gotten a PR on a deadlift. :)    I also got my mom training a few years ago, too, before they went to Peru for two weeks. She’s still at it, and has been using kettlebells and doing more strength training in the last year. She’s 60. :)

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Good for your folks!  Thanks for sharing, Mel.

    • John D

      Great topic Al…..I’m 62 and just did my first ring front lever recently. Got the ring muscleup down and someday I am going to finally get that damned floor kipup and bar muscleup !
      Your site is always inspiring
      Thanks
      John D

    • http://www.AlKavadlo.com/ Al Kavadlo

      Right on, John! That comment is pretty inspiring!