A GRANDMOTHER from Stratford who began lifting weights in lockdown is now a three times powerlifting world champion.
Sixty-five year-old Martine Barons had listened to a seminar that said women going through menopause should run less and lift more.
A colleague at the University of Warwick, who is also a personal trainer, showed Martine how to deadlift and spotted her potential.
And Martine,who is nicknamed The Deadlifting Grandma, won the AWPC World Powerlifting Championships in the 65 to 85 age group earlier this month, becoming a three-time world champion, after starting out entering competitions just for fun.
Martine said: “I have seen such a huge change in my own physique and my capabilities – I am sure that my body is at least 20 years younger.
“When they invited me to the British and European Championships, I thought, ‘Well I have been invited it would be rude not to go’, but who thought it would lead to this? I didn’t.
“I have learnt so much, I have met people all around the world, and it has been delightful.”
For women who want to get fit and improve their strength, Martine said there were lots of options. One route was to join a gym and develop a tailored programme with a coach.
Alternatively, those who preferred more privacy could start really gently at home with some resistance bands and a programme.
Martine said her powerlifting had enabled her to do a lot more on a day-to-day basis, along with being able to touch her toes first thing in the morning.
She added: “If I need to move furniture at home, I can do that, I can toss my grandchildren in the air, I can play games with them.
“My posture is better and I just feel more capable and more confident in everyday life.”
