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This 80-Year-Old “Pullup Grandma” Probably Does More Pull-ups Than You

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  • 4 days ago
  • SilverStreak Editorial Team

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This 80-Year-Old “Pullup Grandma” Probably Does More Pull-ups Than You
When Charlotte Lim greets newcomers at the gym, the 80-year-old who goes by the Instagram moniker Pullup Grandma usually asks, “How many pull-ups can you do?” Not if – but how many.
For the record, the silver can knock out six strict repetitions — hoisting the weight of her entire body until her chin is up and over the bar, without swinging or kicking her legs — at a single go.
For many Singaporeans far younger than her, even just one pull-up can be a problem — remember, we scrapped the pull-up station for national servicemen’s yearly fitness tests more than a decade ago.
What makes Charlotte’s physical feat even more impressive is the fact that the former oil & gas industry executive only started working out at the age of 72.
I was completely sedentary until I retired, and then to keep healthy, I started exercising on my own,
she explains.

"But there was no system, and I made no progress at all throughout those years."

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Becoming the Pullup Grandma
This 80-Year-Old “Pullup Grandma” Probably Does More Pull-ups Than You - Becoming the Pullup Grandma

Bored of “floating around” at gyms in her condominium and the Kent Ridge Guild House doing “a little bit of everything”, Charlotte decided to work out at Bespoke Fitness, a gym run by her 41-year-old gym-junkie daughter Yan Lin, together with older brother Tiat Lim, 53, in one-north.

Classes at Bespoke Fitness typically comprise of an hour-long mix of cardiovascular exercise, resistance training and calisthenics.

The only milestone I set for myself was to complete a single sit-up entirely on my own, without needing someone's assistance to hold down my legs,
she says.
The silver achieved her goal in less than a year.
Next, she moved onto the chin-up – an exercise similar to the pull-up, except your palms are facing you. This variation is generally considered to be slightly easier. Still, it took her almost four years to build up strength in her arms and back with the assistance of regression exercises, like using a resistance band to take off some of the weight, to finally pull it off.
She kept to this gradual regime over the years, and today, aside from completing six pull-ups in a row, Charlotte can also pull herself up along with 7.5kg of added weight. It is a rare sight, even for active people many years her junior.
"I work out like I mean it"
This 80-Year-Old “Pullup Grandma” Probably Does More Pull-ups Than You - Uplifting (and outlifting) the community - “I work out like I mean it”
The silver credits her exceptional progress to several factors. For one, she says that getting better in the gym often requires you to leave your ego at the door.
Be teachable,
she says.

"There's no such thing as an expert in everything. If you're trying to get fitter, listen to people who know better."

In terms of food, Charlotte adheres to what she calls the Bespoke Eating Right Programme (or BERP) – a system of meal plans free of sugar, oil, additives and preservatives which she shortens to SOAP (yes, she’s a fan of abbreviations).
It’s up to us to use our ingenuity to make things tasty with natural herbs and spices without relying on things that make us sick,
she says.

“There are people who tell me living like this is more expensive – but I’d rather use my money on food than on a doctor."

Perhaps most important of all is the silver’s refusal to fall for “the usual myths about ageing”, such as the amount of protein seniors should be eating.
There's this false idea that we need to cut our protein as we age. But we actually need more protein as we age to prevent sarcopenia,
she says, referring to the natural, gradual loss of muscle as we age.
I go for the gold standard of 1.6g of protein per kilo of body weight, especially since I need to replenish my muscles,
adds Charlotte, who works out around three times a week.
Research indicates protein consumption for seniors can fall from anywhere between 1.2g to as high as 2.0g per kilo of body weight, as some people need more protein to elicit a similar muscle growth response.
Yan, who is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine, believes that seniors should exercise just as deliberately as people younger than them.
My mum does the exact same workout as everyone else,
she says.

"The movements are all the same, though perhaps the weights are slightly different. I don’t believe in dumbing down workouts for seniors across the board – older people have to see other older people exercising intensely."

Yes, you have to work hard and eat right. Your body will adapt to what you put it through. If you only stick to light walking, your body will only be good for it. I work out like I mean it.
Charlotte agrees,
Uplifting (and outlifting) the community
This 80-Year-Old “Pullup Grandma” Probably Does More Pull-ups Than You - Uplifting (and outlifting) the community
Yan and Tiat closed Bespoke Fitness in 2022 and now operates from their living room in a Farrer Park condominium as a private home gym named FitRX. There, they conduct multiple hour-long classes daily (find out more about their pricing and schedules here).
The intimate setting leads to what Charlotte calls “a tight-knit and ultra-competitive community” with a good mix of clients across various ages and fitness levels.
I always try to challenge the younger folks when we work out together. I don’t always beat them, but sometimes I get close. I like to make them nervous,
the senior says with a laugh.
If there is one point she wishes to get across with her experience, it is that taking meaningful action is key.
I sometimes get people saying that I’m an inspiration, but I didn't like it after a while, because there’s inspiration but no action,
she says.

"You must do something about it."

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