During the next four years, I became the captain of the tumbling club and excelled in track as a sprinter – I ran the 100 yard dash in 9.9 seconds. I won a bronze medal at the Melrose Games in New York’s Madison Square Garden.

When I completed high school, I took up amateur boxing in the lightweight division. I never lost a match in the two years I competed. I changed course and entered the karate circuit, studying Tang Soo Do with Master Wang, a ninth degree black belt. After two years of karate, my participation in sports suddenly came to an end when I was involved in a head-on automobile accident.

After the accident, my activity level plummeted. I was a drummer and singer in a lounge band and began smoking and not taking care of myself. I really went downhill! (It happens!)

As my 50th birthday approached, I decided that as a present to myself, I would quit smoking. I had never been much of a drinker, but I decided to keep track of that too. I was no longer 128 pounds – I was now 190 pounds and 5 foot 7 inches tall. I called myself the Michelin Man!

I bought a treadmill and a Weider weight machine, hung up some mirrors and pictures of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Pearl, Steve Reeves, and other great body builders for inspiration. I didn’t have to gain any weight this time! I was on my way.

As the years passed, I added more equipment to my collection. I moved into a larger house and confiscated the 40 x 20 basement to be my home gym.

As I approached my 60th birthday, I thought it might be cool to train someone. Body building was now my hobby, my passion. I started thinking about what I would do after I retired from my full time employment. I did some research on certifications and found ISSA. I received the training materials and was impressed with the cassettes by Dr. Hatfield and Dr. Arria. After all this time away from structured learning, studying was somewhat difficult. I had to learn how to study on my own. I would read into a tape recorder and listen to the tape while driving back and forth to work. I studied for weeks, passed the 3 hour test and became a CFT, and was proud of it.

Of course, I was working out all of this time, and I found by joining different gyms that I wasn’t the only “know it all” guy. The only difference was that I knew the correct and safe way to train someone, thanks to my schooling.

The learning was in my blood. I didn’t want to stop here so I signed up for another course and became a Certified Lifestyle Weight Management Consultant. Next came Group Fitness Instructor, then Certified Trainer of Older Adults. I attended seminars on nutrition and kinesiology.

I retired from full time work at age 65 and asked myself, “Now what? What do I want to be when I grow up? How can I best use what I have learned?” So I again enrolled in an ISSA course, Specialist in Performance Nutrition. Now, at 68 years old with five certifications, I am starting all over. I am looking forward to giving seminars for those who are obese and in danger of developing type II diabetes.

Currently, I am 183 pounds with 14% body fat. In the gym, I leg press 500 pounds, 8-10 reps. On the hammer incline machine, I press 320 pounds, 8-10 reps. I want everyone to know that it is never too late to get fit. Remember, the secret to success is simply getting started.

If you would like to chat or get some words of wisdom from the ‘old guy,’ email me:

russiorillo@roadrunner.com.

New students welcome!

P.S. You never know it all. You just think you do. KEEP LEARNING AT ANY AGE!