A 72-year-old grandmother from Taiwan has captured the world's attention, becoming an internet sensation after stepping onto the bodybuilding stage in a bikini. Lin Sui-tzu, affectionately known as the "bodybuilding grandma," showcased her impressive physique at the 2025 President’s Cup Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in Taipei, competing in the over-70 category.
From Educator to Inspirational Athlete
Before her bodybuilding fame, Lin spent many years as a diabetes educator at the Minsheng Community Centre. Her job involved advising people on managing lifestyle diseases through exercise and diet. However, she grew frustrated seeing patients consistently offer excuses for not following her guidance. This observation led her to a powerful decision: to lead by example. "We painstakingly devise exercise, diet and medication plans for patients. But, no matter how simple the methods are, patients always have various excuses... Very few are actually willing to take action," she explained.
Lin began her fitness transformation at the age of 69, taking up weight training. She initially believed it was solely for building large muscles but soon discovered its profound health benefits. "I didn't realise it focuses more on health and muscle definition," she told Common Health Magazine. Her dedication resulted in podium finishes at national competitions, stunning judges and audiences with her toned muscles and confident stage presence.
A Supportive Partnership and Life-Changing Results
Lin's journey is strongly supported by her husband, Chen Bingjian, a renowned cardiologist. She credits him for introducing her to the value of exercise, initially encouraging her to play badminton. His philosophy emphasizes consistency, stating that regular exercise—whether resistance, stretching, or aerobic—is key to combating high blood pressure, high sugar, and high cholesterol.
The initial phase was challenging, with severe muscle soreness making Lin question her choice. However, she persisted. Within just two months, her body showed remarkable changes. After her competition, she shared her transformation photos with former patients, who were shocked and inspired. This tangible example proved more effective than words, motivating them to follow her advice more seriously and begin seeing their own weight loss results.
Lin Sui-tzu's Anti-Ageing Fitness Regime
Lin follows a disciplined routine to maintain her health and physique:
- Daily Training: She dedicates the first hour of every weekday morning to weight training.
- Diet: Her nutrition is based on whole foods with low carbohydrates and low sugar.
- Active Lifestyle: Beyond lifting weights, she stays engaged through yoga, ballroom dancing, and painting.
Lin firmly believes that old age can be meaningful and creative. She hopes to continue teaching art, dance, and fitness, even in a nursing home someday. She recommends weight training for its multiple benefits, including supporting heart health, boosting dopamine for improved mood and focus, and suiting diabetes-friendly diets. "I think weight training is a very good form of exercise," she asserts.
As a grandmother of five, Lin Sui-tzu stands as a powerful symbol against ageism. She challenges the notion that a long life lacks purpose, proving that the second half of life holds immense time, energy, and possibility for reinvention and health.
