Who is Jim Arrington?
The oldest male bodybuilder in the world, Jim Arrington is from California in the USA.
He has been working out and competing in bodybuilding competitions for many years, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
Short Career of Jim Arrington
Growing up as a thin, sickly child known as “Skinny Bones”. Jim’s life was radically transformed after he became interested in bodybuilding.
When Jim Arrington was 13 years old, he was out and about when he stumbled upon a bodybuilding magazine, which “captivated” him right away.
This event catalyzed what would turn into a lifetime commitment to the sport of bodybuilding and competitions.
Throughout time, Jim developed a fantastic figure and began competing in bodybuilding competitions all over America.
Jim is still working out hard today, demonstrating to everyone that it is never too late to enter the weight room.
Body Measurements of Jim Arrington
| Full Name: | Jim Arrington |
| DATE OF BIRTH: | 1 September 1932 |
| ERA: | 1990, 1980, 1970 |
| PROFESSION: | Bodybuilder, Salesman |
| NATIONALITY: | American |
| AGE: | 89 |
| HEIGHT: | 5’8″(172.5cm) |
| WEIGHT: | 155 to 165 pounds (70.3 to 74.8 kg) |
Accomplishments
2014
- Masters National Championships, Overall 1st place – Earned Pro Card
- Masters National Championships, Masters Over 70, 3rd place
2013
- Masters National Championships, Bodybuilding Masters Overall, 1st place
- Masters National Championships, Bodybuilding Masters over 80, 1st place
2012
- NPC Teen, Collegiate, and Masters National Championships, Bodybuilding Over 70, 2nd place
2011
- Masters National Championships, Men’s Bodybuilding, 70+ Class, 6th place
2010
- Masters National Championships, Men 70+, 3rd place
2009
- Masters Nationals, Men’s Bodybuilding Masters 70+, N/A
- Junior California Bodybuilding, Figure, and Bikini Championships, Men 60+, 1st place
2008
- Junior California Bodybuilding and Figure Championships, Men 60+, 2nd place
- California State Bodybuilding and Figure Championships, Men’s Bodybuilding Masters 60 and Over, 5th place
2007
- Excalibur Bodybuilding and Figure Championships, Men 60+, 3rd place
Masters Bodybuilding National Championships, Men 70+, 3rd place - Junior California Bodybuilding and Figure Championships, Men Masters 60+
- California State Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Championships, Men Masters 60+, 3rd place
2006
- Excalibur, Men Masters 60+, 2nd place
- Junior California Bodybuilding and Figure Championships, Men Masters 50+, 4th place
Biography
Jim’s Beginning of Bodybuilding
As the oldest active professional bodybuilder in the world, Jim has received numerous honors for his achievements. However, he had a difficult beginning in life.
Jim, who was born in 1932, struggled with asthma as a child. He was a little child who was frequently ill, and as a result of his illness, he was unable to play as much or run as far as he would have liked.
Let’s go back to Jim’s thirteenth year. He once passed through a nearby medicine store and glanced at a magazine display.
He then noticed something that would forever alter the course of his life: a bodybuilding magazine.
When Jim first saw images of powerful bodybuilders, he “fell in love” with bodybuilding, unlike other youngsters his age who preferred comic books and other items.
“They were so massive I just couldn’t believe it,” Jim added about the bodybuilders. Like Popeye, even their forearms were enormous. Everything else was also enormous.
Gaining Health through Lifting Weights
Soon after learning about bodybuilding, Jim bought a 25-cent brochure with basic workout suggestions. Jim soon started his bodybuilding transformation with this guidance.
He began working out, looking at the photographs from the leaflet as a source of inspiration, as well as direction on exercising effectively.
Jim quickly improved his physical condition and became considerably healthier as a result of his consistent exercise regimen.
Jim’s childhood moniker, “Skinny Bones,” quickly disappeared. After just three months of training, he increased his weight from 115 to 125.
Before Jim was 15 years old, he weighed 150 pounds, which was 35 pounds more than when he started weight training.
Lifetime Commitment to Bodybuilding
As the years passed, Jim continued to exercise more and more intensely, consistently outperforming his previous best body.
What began as a casual interest in bodybuilding developed into a lifelong dedication to the “iron” sport.
Jim, though, spent years working out in the gym, long and hard. He didn’t decide to enter the bodybuilding ring for the first time until he was 45 years old.
Jim started participating at the age of 45 because he believed he hadn’t grown sufficiently before.
Jim thought he lacked the genetics and bone structure necessary to compete with other seasoned bodybuilders at a young age while training in the “Mecca of Bodybuilding” in Venice Beach.
First Performance, First Win
In 1978, Jim applied a spray tan for the first time in his life, and that experience altered his perspective on competing.
He made his debut in the 40+ category of the Mr. America competition. Jim finished in second place overall and was declared the winner of his weight group out of all 15 participants, earning the title of “Most Muscular.”
A Frequent Rival
Jim Arrington rose to prominence in American bodybuilding competitions after that. He participated in the summer after-summer contests at Venice Muscle Beach and also competed in the Master’s division at the national level.
Jim competed in almost 60 bodybuilding competitions during his career, taking home 16 of the titles.
The Oldest Professional Bodybuilder
Jim received a Pro Card Invitation at the age of 83 after taking first place in the national amateur championship.
After saying yes to the invitation, he soon received his Masters Pro Card.
Jim officially set the record for the oldest man bodybuilder at the age of 83 years and 6 days, demonstrating that there is no such thing as old age.
“Everyone always says there’s something they have to work a little more on, and they say they aren’t ready yet, they tell themselves they’ll compete later. You can’t look at it that way, you need the experience—you just have to do it. – Jim Arrington”
Training
Regular Workout
Jim doesn’t train as hard as he once did, though. He continues to offer everything he has in the gym and maintains a regular schedule.
Jim will work out four or even five days in a row for around an hour on a good week.
He will, however, cut down on his workout frequency to two or three times per week if he feels the need to slow things down a bit.
In terms of the workout itself, Jim usually works on every muscle group at once. His routines are now more effective in terms of both aerobic and muscle strength.
Body Adjustments
Everything works for a time, but eventually, your body adjusts and needs fresh challenges, according to Jim.
Jim has never allowed his body to adapt as a result of his constant workout regimen changes over the years.
Jim Arrington Full Body Workout Routine
Jim often works out his legs separately from the rest of his body. He will, however, “throw in” a few sets of leg presses or leg extensions to his regular workout if he feels up for a challenge.
His workout routine looks like this;
- Warm-up (Anything that’s light intensity, e.g. bike cardio or hyperextensions)
- Hanging Leg Raises (Abs), 5 sets until failure
- Calves on Seated Leg Press, 3 sets of 12 reps
- Seated Lat Pulls on a Machine,3 sets of 12 reps
- Cable Crossovers for Chest, 3 sets of 12 reps
- Cable Triceps Extensions, 3 sets of 8 reps
- Overhead Triceps Extensions, 3 sets of 8 reps
- Machine Biceps Curls, 3 sets of 12 reps
- Lateral Cable Raises for Shoulders. 3 sets of 8 reps
- Dumbbell Lateral Raises, 3 sets of 8 reps
Nutrition
Keeping Slim
Throughout the entire year, Jim maintains a diet that is high in protein, healthy fats, and low in carbohydrates.
Jim will simply reduce his carbohydrate intake and maintain a minor calorie deficit until he is satisfied with his body if he wants to lean out for a competition.
Diet of Jim Arrington
Jim regularly consumes the following items to maintain his high protein intake:
- Cottage Cheese
- Beef
- Chicken
- Fish
Jim consumes a lot of salad with each meal. Salads’ high fiber content aids Jim’s body in the assimilation of other foods’ nutrients.
Regarding supplements, Jim consumes a premium whey protein. Which enables him to “meet” his daily protein goal.
Influences and Idols
Jim, who was an underweight boy growing up, was captivated when he first set eyes on a bodybuilding magazine. He began working out in the weight room to acquire muscle after being motivated by the bodybuilders he saw in the magazine.
But as it turned out, Jim’s physique did not change as a result of this one incident.
It also allowed him to begin what would turn out to be a long and illustrious career in bodybuilding, motivating people of all ages to lead active, healthy lives.
What Jim Arrington Can Teach Us?
The most obvious and significant lesson to learn from Jim Arrington’s example may be that it’s never too late to start exercising.
Jim is living proof that you can have a happier, healthier life by remaining active and eating wholesome meals.
But it’s crucial to follow through on your plans and remain committed to them. As Jim says, “stop thinking, and start doing.”