Weightlifting Grandma, 79, Bench Presses Over 200 Lbs.: “I Want to Inspire Other Women”

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Grandmothers are forces to be reckoned with, and Nora Langdon is no exception. At age 79, she’s a power weightlifter with over 20 national and world records. Langdon got into the hobby around 15 years ago, when, at 65, she realized she wanted to improve her health and mobility. She sought out the help of personal trainer Art Little at a gym in Royal Oak, Michigan, where she lives. Little was unsure about someone her age attempting to powerlift, but Langdon insisted, and soon she was pumping iron with the best of them. After training for two years, the retired realtor and weightlifting grandmother of one entered the American Powerlifting Federation (APF). At her very first competition, she broke all the national records. These days, Langdon can squat over 400 pounds, deadlift 381, and bench press 203. She’s currently No. 1 in the 70-80-year-old bracket, though she admits there aren’t that many women in her age group to beat. Her next goal is to lift 1,000 pounds over all three events at the upcoming APF World Competition in November. “I just want to inspire other women to take care of themselves,” Langdon said in a Refinery 29 documentary.

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