At 64, the 8x Ms. Olympia, Lenda Murray, may be well past the days of competing actively. But she still delves into weight training, which, according to her, has helped her live fitter in various ways.

On June 17, Murray shared an Instagram post showing how her physique has changed from her competing days in 2002 to now, in 2026. She mentioned that weight training is still a part of her regimen. But while it helped her build a stageworthy physique in 2002, currently it contributes to her healthy living.

"Twenty-four years later, I still believe in the power of weight training. The trophies were wonderful, but the greatest reward has been the health, strength, discipline, and confidence that training has given me throughout every season of life," stated the caption.

Murray also mentioned that the purpose of muscles beyond just aesthetics.

"Muscle is more than something you build for the stage. It’s an investment in your future. It supports mobility, independence, vitality, and longevity."

Murray retired from professional bodybuilding in 2024, but has kept her active lifestyle. And as a result, she is healthier and boasts a far better physique than most 64-year-olds.

However, Murray is far from being the only renowned name in the sport of bodybuilding who has detailed how strength training can be useful for building a stageworthy physique and also support longevity.

Jay Cutler views weight training in the same light as Lenda Murray

While Murray stated that she continues to train with weights as she did in 2002, the primary difference between the two stages is that she doesn't focus on building muscle mass now. Instead, she does it to keep her muscles active, which helps her lead a healthier life and stay fitter.

The 4x Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler, also incorporated a similar change in his weight training regimen after retiring from competitive bodybuilding. Known for the 'Mass Monster' features of his physique, Cutler once admitted that he lifted as heavy as 550lbs during his early 20s, when he was trying to become the face of the sport.

However, Cutler has toned down his weight training significantly, now that he is past the days of competing actively. Currently, his focus is on smartly using weight training to facilitate healthy living, instead of fueling his drive to excel in the sport.

"I don't train for maximum weight anymore, I train for pump up." He reiterated the same point in one of his Facebook videos, saying, "Train for the pump. Don't overfatigue yourself."

So, while Murray's approach details how weight training is important in every stage to maintain muscle health, Cutler emphasized how the training regimen should be altered with age to prioritize health over gains.

So, now that you have understood the concept, will you apply it to your training routine to live healthier for a longer time?

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Written by

Souvik Roy

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi