Welcome to the official web site for Charles Eugster, probably the oldest competitive oarsman in the world and a recent convert to bodybuilding.  Charles is more than a fit octogenarian; he is an evangelist for exercise in old age and is living proof that at 88, it is possible to have a well-trained body.

Two years ago Charles introduced weights in to his normal rowing training, which consists of a combination of endurance* and strength training, and it had a dramatic effect.  Instead of a slow deterioration of performance with the year, there was sudden improvement. 

Charles’ time for 500 metres as measured on the ergometer was reduced by 4.5%, the anaerobic threshold increased by 10%, and haemoglobin (red blood cell count) and haemocrit (a measure of blood density) values increased by 3% and 4.7%, respectively, in four months.

In 2005, Charles decided to join the Swiss Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation and engaged a coach to learn more about bodybuilding or progressive resistance training. This type of training demands a continuous slow rise in resistance combined with recovery periods and requires training only 3 days a week.

(*By comparison, endurance training makes great demands on an oarsman’s training time. It consists of exercise for long periods of 60 - 90 mins with a low stroke rate and low resistance.)

There has been an enormous improvement in Charles’ strength and physical appearance too. In about 8 months, Charles lost approximately 8 kilos of fat. His maximum pulse rate at peak performance was about 143; it improved to 157 without distress. His resting pulse decreased from 50 to 45.

Charles is so struck by the benefits of weight training in old age that he wants to the world to know.   He says: “If you take up bodybuilding in old age you will add not only years to your life but also life to your years.”  He now feels more able to run for a bus, his mind is more alert and his libido has increased!

When Charles competed in the World Masters Regatta in Zagreb in September 2007, he won three Gold medals, continuing his unbroken run of Gold medals every year for the last 11 years and bringing his total to 26 Gold medals in World and European masters events.

Charles speaks regularly about how to make the most of old age.  To contact him about a possible speaking engagement, please click here.