Meet the 97-year-old weightlifting grandmother

She's encouraging other nonagenarians to take up the sport

Lifting weights has become increasingly popular amongst millennial women, who share their #girlswholift pictures and videos on Instagram.

But deadlifts, weighted squats and bench presses needn’t be the reserve of the young, as one powerlifting grandmother shows.

Edith Traina is 97 years old and lifts weights in the gym three times a week.

The granny, from Tampa, Florida, now has a competition named in her honour: the 2018 Edith Traina Inspirational Open took place on Saturday, where people from the ages of 13 up to Traina in her 90s competed.

The nonagenarian hasn’t always been into weights though - it wasn’t until a friend dragged her “kicking and screaming” to the gym that she found her passion.

“When I lift that bar up, as I’m lifting it up in here I hear words like ‘oh my God I’m doing it’,” Traina told Bay News.

“If I find I’m sitting in a chair for a whole day, and not doing anything constructive, the next day I light a fire under my tush and get out of the house.”

Traina is the only person in her age category so doesn’t actually have any competition, but that doesn’t stop her pushing herself.

The former line dance instructor is aiming to complete a 200lb (90kg) deadlift by her 100th birthday.

She takes part in six competitions a year and most recently won two gold medals at the Polk County Senior Games in the 95-99 division with a 60lb (27kg) bench press and a 130lb (59kg) deadlift.

With no competition, Traina hopes to inspire more elderly people to pick up a dumbbell or barbell and get into weightlifting.

“I can’t find any other 90-year-olds to compete with so if you know anybody that has a grandmother or friend who would like to compete with me,” she said.

There are many benefits to weight lifting, from increasing your metabolic rate to improving your mental health and feeling more empowered.

Whatever your age, make sure you get an expert to teach you the proper technique first.