John Gilmour has six American and six world weight-lifting records
Published in the July 9-23, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Robert Airoldi
John Gilmour, 92, takes notes of the weight and number of reps.
Photo by Robert Airoldi
Even a heart attack at 85 didn’t slow down Morgan Hill resident John Gilmour, now 92, who continues his twice-a-week workouts at the Centennial Recreation Center, lifting weights a much younger man would struggle with.
“I’ve always been fairly physically fit,” he said, referring to his playing soccer and football in college and a stint in the Marines. “I get a feeling of accomplishment.”
And despite a near four-decade respite from working out, the great-grandfather with a barrel chest and full head of hair has accomplished a lot. He holds six American and six world records in the bench press. In the 90 to 94 age class in the 207 pound weight class he holds the record at 209.4 pounds.
Born in Scotland and raised in Scotland and New Zealand, he came to America as a young boy in 1930. When he tried to enter the Air Force in 1940, he was rejected because they said he had an “athlete’s heart.” He’d just finished playing collegiate soccer, served his stint in the Marine Corp., and eventually in 1944 was admitted to the Naval Flight School after passing a heart physical where he pulled a perfect score. So what was the difference?
Gilmour does sit-ups with a weight.
Photo by Robert Airoldi
“The only difference was what the doctor’s were learning,” he said, referring to the four-year gap between tests.
He moved to Morgan Hill from Capinteria two years ago to be near his daughter after his wife died. He’s been retired now for 27 years after a career as an electrical engineer who worked on protecting electrical devices from lightning.
During his workouts, Gilmour keeps meticulous records of weight and reps for each of the dozen or so exercises he completes, including bench press, curls, leg press, pull-downs, sit-ups and others. When he uses a free bar, he always asks someone nearby for help in spotting him.
He said he finds a weight he can lift about eight times, then continues with that weight until he can do about 12 reps. Then he increases the weight. He really looks at the science of lifting, working his pectoral muscles that will help him in the bench press competitions. “I try to look at the physics of lifting.”
His best advice for those who want to lift heavy weights, is train with heavy weights.
“I’m not a bodybuilder,” Gilmour insists. “I lift for strength. That works for me.”
Kelly Ramirez, executive director of the Mt. Madonna YMCA which oversees the recreation center and Y programs, said Gilmour is an inspiration to many.
“He is the epitome of living a lifelong healthy lifestyle and is a role model to all,” Ramirez said.
After his Monday and Friday workouts, he usually heads to Betsy’s Restaurant where he treats himself.
When asked where he likes to go with his girlfriend, he said with a mischievous grin, “Her place, or mine.” When pressed, he said: “She likes Noah’s (Bar and Bistro), Ladera and she often goes to Betsy’s with me.”
He recently had back surgery, and said it bothers him a bit, and it’s visible as he bends over to pick up weights. He also has trouble recalling things at times, but he says his memory is not failing.
“I just have a full warehouse of files and it takes a while to access the right file,” he said with a chuckle.
Gilmour said he enjoys the Centennial Recreation Center because it’s near his home off LaCrosse Avenue and it’s relatively inexpensive.
“I like this place,” he said. “They have a good crew and everyone here is so helpful. I get along.”
A quick glance around one can see children as young as preteens on the treadmill, young men lifting weights, middle aged women working out. And then there’s Gilmour, 92 and going strong.
