Bill Keister holds a national record in the bench press for his age group and is proving age is just a number.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — In sports they often say that Father Time is undefeated, but a Harrisburg powerlifter is proving that Father Time might not be so unbeatable.
Bill Keister, a 61-year-old powerlifter who specializes in the bench press, is setting records, setting back the clock, and proving that age is just number.
For Keister, who already holds a national record in the bench press for his age group, powerlifting had been a forgotten treasure until he started training his son when he reached the 8th grade.
Now, it is his own Fountain of Youth.
“My body started to remember, muscles never forget. And I wanted to prove to people, you don’t stop lifting when you’re old. You get old when you stop lifting,” says Keister.
While it was his son who inspired him to pick up the weights again, Keister’s strength and attitude has motivated everyone from fellow powerlifters to his sponsors and the people who supply his gear.
“As somebody who competed into their 20s and is now pushing 40 right now, I can say that it’s more impressive to see somebody in their 60s lifting than it is in their 20s,” noted Matt Lane, a former competitive powerlifter and owner of House of Gains. “Because when you’re 20, nothing hurts. When you’re 60, everything hurts. So, seeing these guys out there is super inspiring. It’s just like, I hoped it’s me one day.”
Keister has a record of 11-0 in powerlifting, including seven state titles, three national titles, and one world title in the bench press. He set the national record for bench press in the 60-64 age group, bench pressing 353.75lbs.
His success is the result of hard work and discipline that comes with years of experience. Even if that practice sometimes does not quite payoff, it is his next set, next rep mentality that keeps Keister feeling as strong today as he did yesterday.
“Look at yourself in the mirror, say I want to be better than yesterday. That’s what you always do. As long as you’re better yesterday, you’re doing good,” said Keister.
