Werribee ‘Iron Man’ Luis Lopez is on a mission to get men older than 50 to embrace exercise.
Mr Lopez, 59, completed his 35th Iron Man triathlon in New South Wales earlier this month and serves as a lifeguard locally.
The yearly event has become a mission for Mr Lopez and it’s one he is determined to pursue into his 60s.
“It’s my life’s challenge. I wonder how I can keep on doing the same event,” Mr Lopez said.
The versatility of the competition is what has kept him going.
“Because it’s a multisport I get to swim, then bike ride, which I love doing, and I can make connections with my friends on a regular basis.
“I can’t train like a younger person, sometimes my body won’t allow it, and I have to adjust my training to suit my age.”
It is the positive charge Mr Lopez gets from working up a sweat which is why he is so keen on getting others to do the same.
“It actually gives me more energy, it’s almost like a bounce back and you feel more vigorous in how you do your work.”
He said the key to building fitness is learning how to walk before you run. Literally.
“The first step is just going for walks. Walking is brilliant and then within the walk, every so often, do a one or two minute run and raise your heart rate a little bit higher each time.
“Then work into sports like tennis and pickleball, or other less vigorous activities.
“When they [older men] slow down a bit, then they think ‘Yeah, I can do that.”
One thing is for certain – Mr Lopez doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
