Tim Minnick was not always a health and fitness devotee. While he played baseball in college at Texas A&M, he admits that through most of his adult life he had a haphazard fitness regimen. He worked as an insurance broker and “spent a lot of time at my desk.” The father of three (and grandfather of six) dabbled in strength training and trends like jazzercise with his wife of 43 years. When Liz was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, Minnick felt himself floundering. “Watching someone die, day after day after day like that it wears on you,” he says.
Minnick gained 25 pounds, became depressed, and turned to fitness to help him cope. “Going to my local gym saved my life emotionally and mentally. I would feel 100 percent better after a workout,” he says. “Training gave me more energy and strength to be a better caregiver.”
After his wife’s death, it took several years for him to solidify his new path. “I didn’t want to go back into insurance, but I also didn’t want to retire and do nothing,” he explains. “I just knew I had to get out of the house and do something.” At 65, he decided to sell his insurance company and leaned more into fitness as a way of life, leading him to what he calls his new purpose. He cleaned up his diet, eating high-quality protein, whole foods, and more vegetables, and started studying for a trainer certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Within a year, his body fat percentage was down to 9 percent and at age 76 he applied for jobs at several gyms in Austin with low expectations. “At my age, I was sure they’d never pick me,” he says. “We often let society influence our thoughts about aging. We limit ourselves and say things like. ‘I can’t do that because of my age.’ I believe in just the opposite.”
Gold’s Gym in Austin was the only one that responded. After one interview and a second interview, he was offered the job on the spot. Now, at 82 years old, Minnick holds the title of world’s oldest fitness trainer, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, and has become a role model for reinvention, lifelong fitness, and healthspan. He trains individual clients and leads classes on mobility and strength training for people over 60, a niche he has created.
With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day and the senior population expected to exceed 70 million by 2030, more trainers will be needed to help people maintain their health as they age. At a lean but strong 172 pounds, Minnick is redefining what aging can look like, challenging stereotypes—especially at a time when ageism is rampant in our culture.
Along with his personal training cert from the NASM, he also earned a certificate from the Functional aging Institute. He believes in constant learning and integration of new techniques into his training methods. Minnick takes no medications, doesn’t drink alcohol, and completes his own 90-minute workout session 4 to 5 days a week that includes upper and lower body weight training, stretching, and cardio.
His workouts have evolved, emphasizing mobility work and lower-body exercises to combat age-related muscle loss. A typical session includes:
- Mobility Warm-up: 20 minutes with activates problem areas.
- Walking lunges.
- Hip-opener exercises.
- Calf raises.
- Banded shoulder moves for posture.
- Planks and pushup variations for core strength.
Minnick checks his vitals regularly and follows a disciplined health regimen. He believes in being “body aware” to prevent injuries or illnesses. “I listen to my body, watch my weight, and make sure that I’m having regular body scans and an annual physical,” he states.
“I really want to help people as they age. My mission is to inspire them to realize that muscle is the currency of aging,” he emphasizes. He conducts group classes focusing on older adults, adjusting exercises for those who cannot get on the floor and have chronic conditions.
His personal approach to nutrition emphasizes whole foods with minimal processed foods. He stresses the importance of protein in the diet, advocating for 1 gram of protein per pound of goal body weight. He insists on eliminating as much sugar as possible and focuses on organic options when possible.
As a trainer, Minnick is committed to motivating others and showing that aging doesn’t have to limit one’s capabilities. He plans to continue his career as a trainer, believing that physical activity is critical for successful aging.
At 82, Minnick sets a powerful example for others, proving that with determination and the right mindset, it’s never too late to pursue health and fitness goals. He’s a testament that “muscle is the currency of aging,” and he inspires everyone he trains to accumulate that wealth for their own aging journeys.
Source: Men’s Health
