Введение и контекст
Силовая атлетика, состоящая из трех дисциплин — жим лежа, приседания и становая тяга — считается фундаментом тренировок для людей всех возрастов. В последние годы в этой области наблюдается заметный сдвиг.
Traditionally athletes reached peak performance between the ages of twenty and thirty, however more frequently success stories are emerging in a later age. This trend is attributable to both improvements in training planning and recovery methods and growing interest in active aging.
In this context, the story of 79-year-old athlete Thomas Rausherr becomes a striking confirmation that physical endurance and strength can develop and be maintained even in old age.
Ключевые события периода
At the beginning of July 2025, the National Senior Games were held in Iowa, where Rausherr, in the category ‘over 70’, set a personal record — standing on stage with a 275-pound (approximately 125 kg) deadlift, which exceeds twice his body weight.
This performance earned him third place, beating men who were more than ten years younger.
This event marked the culmination of his long-term preparation, which he began in his youth when he was a national champion in pole vaulting.
In 2024, he completed his ‘million’ rep scheme for V-ups, exercises considered one of the best ways to develop the core. According to the athlete himself, after switching to CrossFit fifteen years ago, he noticed that V-ups were where he could stand out because in CrossFit, heavy squats and deadlifts are often prioritized.
Every day, Rausherr adheres to a strict schedule: 50 V-ups, 30 push-ups, 30 squats, another 50 V-ups, a two-minute plank and lastly, another 50 V-ups. This takes between 12-15 minutes, but if he takes pauses for news viewing, his workout can last up to 25 minutes. His daily goals are 300 V-ups, 100 push-ups, 75 squats and three minutes of plank, demonstrating his dedication to regularity and goal-oriented behavior.
Before his strength training career, Rausherr competed in pole vaulting, where he held competitions and won at least a dozen gold medals. In this sport, he also used V-ups for preparation for the jump and vault, which explains his deep attachment to this exercise.
In addition to training, Rausherr holds several certificates in fitness and nutrition and conducts several group sessions per week, highlighting his role as a mentor and expert.
Analysis and Interpretation
Events related to Thomas Rausherr illustrate several key trends in strength athletics. Firstly, they confirm that the fundamental part of training — work on the core of the body — plays a decisive role in maintaining strength and balance at advanced stages of life. His focus on V-ups and planks suggests that developing stabilizing muscles reduces the risk of injury and improves the efficiency of heavy exercises, such as the deadlift.
Secondly, Rausherr’s story highlights the potential for ‘transitioning’ from one discipline to another. His success in pole vaulting, then CrossFit, and finally in strength athletics demonstrates the flexibility of training programs and the possibility of transferring skills between sports. This opens up new opportunities for athletes who want to extend their sporting careers by changing specializations.
Thirdly, systematic planning and progress tracking are important. Rausherr sets specific quantitative goals every day and adheres to them. Such an approach corresponds to modern training monitoring methods that allow reducing the risk of overtraining and optimizing recovery.
However, with the growing popularity of older athletes in competitions, challenges arise. The need for more thorough preparation for physiological changes, such as decreased muscle elasticity and reduced recovery, requires more specialized programs. In addition, the increase in the number of older participants may lead to an increase in injuries if preventative measures are not implemented.
Opportunities, however, remain significant. The growing interest in healthy aging can stimulate demand for specialized training programs and equipment. Professional organizations can develop certification courses targeted at working with elderly athletes, expanding their influence and profitability.