The oldest bodybuilder still competing, defying the odds, and inspiring at the age of 100

Centenarian bodybuilder Andrew Bostinto is proving that age is no barrier to passion and purpose.

At 100 years old, this senior athlete continues to compete and train with remarkable energy, demonstrating that dreams are ageless.

His journey, built on discipline and perseverance, is a testament to longevity, resilience, and strength in old age.

His wife, Francine, has been by his side through it all.

“We believe he is the oldest bodybuilder in the world and still training,” she wrote in a post shared by the National Gym Association Inc. (NGA), a nonprofit organization that Andrew founded and still leads today.

Francine now serves as its president, continuing their shared mission to promote natural fitness and wellness.

In an interview with Muscle & Fitness, the centenarian bodybuilder said, “I enjoy training, and people ask me when I am going to stop. I tell them I’ll stop when I stop breathing.”

A lifetime devoted to fitness and longevity

Born on January 11, 1925, in New York City, Andrew grew up during hard times. Raised by his mother alongside his brother, he experienced poverty at an early age.

He once shared how his mother didn’t even have a penny to spare when he asked for one, and that a tree branch once served as their Christmas tree.

Despite these struggles, young Andrew found comfort in his community. His Jewish neighbors often invited him to share meals with them, treating him like a member of their family.

Those early experiences, though humble, helped shape his gratitude and strong sense of purpose.

At just 12 years old, Andrew discovered his love for physical fitness. By the age of 13, he was already training on high bars and parallel bars, exhibiting early signs of the strength that would define his life.

By the age of 16, he was featured in bodybuilding magazines — an incredible achievement for a teenager at that time.

Centenarian bodybuilder: Journey from gym to the Army

As a young bodybuilder with determination, Andrew saw the Army as an opportunity to grow and serve.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, he tried to enlist but was rejected twice. Unwilling to give up, he even wrote to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, asking for a chance to serve his country.

Before he was accepted, he worked as a machinist, but that didn’t last long.

“My boss said that if I quit, then I would have to go into the Army, which was what I wanted to do, anyway. So, I quit.”

That decision marked the beginning of a 29-year military career, which included service in the Army Reserves.

Over the years, Andrew earned the respect of fellow soldiers and later of people who admired his story.

But he remains humble about his past. “That was just what we did back then. All I did was the right thing.”

Strength in old age: Competing at 100

Even after reaching 100, Andrew’s passion for bodybuilding never faded.

In May, just months after his milestone birthday, the centenarian bodybuilder competed in an NGA physique contest in Florida.

He walked away with a championship belt and a trophy — living proof that strength in old age is possible through determination and love for fitness.

His commitment to staying active demonstrates his conviction in the importance of maintaining lifelong health and achieving longevity.

At 52, he had already earned the title of Senior Mr. America. Still, today, his true reward comes from inspiring others to persevere, regardless of their age.

Andrew continues to train five to six days a week. Due to leg issues from his military service and a past stroke, he has had to adjust his workouts.

He learned to modify exercises to match his body’s changing needs, keeping his muscles strong while protecting his joints.

He once explained that he lifts his legs during sit-ups to keep his abs tight and continues doing repetitions even when one arm feels weaker than the other.

Living with purpose and passion as a centenarian bodybuilder

For Andrew, training is more than physical — it’s part of who he is.

“I did everything I wanted to do in bodybuilding and the Army, and sometimes I wonder what is left, but you know what? I still live my life for me. As long as I love what I am doing, I should keep doing it.”

His story reminds people everywhere that strength doesn’t fade with age — it evolves. The centenarian’s dedication to fitness demonstrates how passion and longevity are closely intertwined.

Even after decades of challenges, including war, hardship, and physical limitations, he continues to prove that a strong mind can carry the body farther than anyone expects.

Andrew’s message to aspiring athletes and seniors alike is clear: it’s never too late to take care of your body and to live with purpose.

His life, filled with both discipline and joy, reflects the true spirit of a centenarian bodybuilder who refuses to give up on what he loves.

Watch the inspiring Inside Edition video featuring centenarian bodybuilder Andrew Bostinto as he proves that true strength never grows old.