December 26, 2019

How Crossfit Made This 78-Year-Old Stronger Than Ever

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It’s not every day you see a 78-year-old deadlifting 102 pounds. That is, unless you were to show up to a CrossFit 616 class on a day when Carol Leigh was there.

How It All Started

Leigh, or “Aunt Carol” as her fellow crossfitters call her, fell into the workout classes almost three years ago at the request of her niece

“That was kind of flattering when my niece, who’s more than 30 years younger than me, asked me to go along,” she said.

At the time, she was still dealing with the limitations of a broken leg from years earlier and wasn’t sure how much she’d be able to do. She was also concerned about how they’d react to her being the oldest person in class.

“I was kind of worried about that when I first went,” she admits. “But nobody has even thought that I was too old, and I’m probably 50 years older than some of them. We just cheer each other on.”

The warm reception from coaches and other crossfitters kept her coming back on her own. Now, she goes about six times a week, including on weekends for an olympic lifting class. This class, while slower-paced, focuses on proper form and strength training.

How It All Started

Leigh, or “Aunt Carol” as her fellow crossfitters call her, fell into the workout classes almost three years ago at the request of her niece

“That was kind of flattering when my niece, who’s more than 30 years younger than me, asked me to go along,” she said.

What Keeps Her Coming Back

The results, she said, have been the most rewarding part of the process. She’s found that she’s more agile and able to do physical activity more easily than before.

“You discover things,” Leigh shares. “When I go to ride my bike, it’s easier to throw my legs over the saddle. Going up and down stairs without hanging onto the rail, putting my pants on without holding onto something, getting up from the chair without using my hands — I’ll do it and discover, ‘oh, this is easy.’”

Before crossfit, she was a fan of yoga and racing for exercise, but says that this workout is a favorite because it’s improved her balance and how she navigates everyday life. Even she’s amazed by her own progress.

“I was at a group workout and we were doing box jumps,” she says. “I couldn’t jump six inches when I started, and now I can. So it’s a lot of these little things. Now I can do a 12-inch step-up without holding onto anything. I didn’t even think about it. It kind of surprised me.”

Her Advice

Even though trying a new sport or exercise can be tricky at first, Leigh wants everyone to know that there are ways to stay active, no matter their age.

“Look for something you enjoy doing, because it’s a lot easier to stick to it,” she advises. “And don’t be afraid that your age is going to be a deterrent. Most of the people you’ll run into will admire that you’re doing it. They’ll cheer you on.”

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