While many in the UK consider a weekly workout an achievement, a 101-year-old Spanish woman credits her remarkable health to a daily gym session and a love for olive oil. Iñaxi Lasa from Beasain, Spain, is determined to be the 'oldest person in the gym rather than the youngest person in a nursing home,' showcasing an incredible commitment to healthy ageing.
A Century of Resilience
Ms Lasa's long life has been marked by significant challenges. She has survived World War II, battled and overcome breast cancer, endured two hip fractures, undergone eye surgery, and even faced a bout of Covid at the age of 98. Despite living with osteoarthritis, a painful condition that causes joint stiffness, the centenarian has never let her circumstances deter her from her fitness goals.
Her journey into formal fitness began later in life. Ms Lasa started going to the gym at 94-years-old, where she began using weights to build muscle, strengthen her bones, and help slow the onset of dementia. "But I was very active before that," she clarifies. "I used a stationary bike and walked a lot, but [my caregiver and son] encouraged me to go to the gym and, honestly, it's been the best thing I've done in recent years."
The Power of Strength Training
Her current routine is both rigorous and inspiring. "Now in winter, I get up at 8am and go for a walk, if it's not raining," she explains. "Then I go to the gym with my son. We spend two hours doing strength training; we don't do cardio at the gym." She passionately believes that this regimen is vital, stating, "Strength training makes me feel alive, and it’s also very good for my mind."
Science strongly supports her approach. Studies have consistently found that muscle weakness, particularly in the legs, is linked to a higher risk of all-cause mortality, heart disease, and dementia. Remarkably, research indicates that lifting weights just three times a week can reduce a person's biological age by almost eight years. Ms Lasa's two-hour daily workouts activate everything from large muscle groups to her cardiovascular and skeletal systems, helping to combat age-related physical decline.
Diet, Community, and a Digital Following
However, Ms Lasa doesn't attribute her longevity to fitness alone. Her diet plays a crucial role. "Being active is the best, but diet is also important," she says. "We live in the countryside and have plenty of fruits and vegetables. And whilst we eat white meat, we hardly eat any flour or sugar." When asked for a specific longevity food, she replied, "Any food to live longer? I'd say olive oil and vegetables."
This aligns with the celebrated Mediterranean diet, which is rich in vegetables and healthy fats like olive oil and is credited with contributing to long, healthy lives in Spain. Earlier this year, scientists from Madrid discovered that strictly following this dietary plan could slash the risk of an early death by over a fifth, identifying olive oil as one of the four most crucial foods for reducing mortality risk.
Ms Lasa's inspiring story has reached a global audience. With the help of her son, she has gained over 112,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares videos of her workouts. "We started messing about on social media like a game," she recalls. "We had a good time recording the videos, but we didn't really think anyone would pay attention to us." Now, she uses her platform to empower older people and bring visibility to a community often overlooked.
As a widowed mother-of-one with no grandchildren, her final message is for younger generations: "The important thing is to have a goal, no matter what it is, no matter how small... Life is a constant fight, and you have to keep fighting with determination. You have to fight and never give up, become strong in the face of adversity."
