It all started with a weight-lifting competition at her local YMCA in Rochester, New York a few years ago after an employee told her she could compete. And with an enthusiastic, “Go for it, Granny “cheer”, Murphy began lifting five-pound weights. Now she is taking home trophies.
She holds the national records in the bench for reps, the strict curl, and Ironmaiden categories. Murphy was named the WNPF Lifter of the Year in 2014. And she now holds New York state records and national records across multiple WNPF age brackets.
She recently took first place in her division in the deadlift, power curl, bench press, and bench press repetition competitions at the WNPF World Championships.
Unlike Langdon, Murphy got into the sport by picking up tips and techniques while watching men lift at the YMCA. She has never worked with a trainer.
“I was surprised that people were thinking that it was strange of me to be in the gym with mostly men at that particular time,” Murphy said. It just happened. I guess I’m just one of those things that nature has taken good care of me.”
Langdon’s trainer, Art Little, says there is no stopping her. So, what about those elderly women who want to get into powerlifting?
Langdon has some savvy advice: “You just have to put your mind to it,” Langdom declares. “Your mind and your body and be consistent. As long as you’re consistent you can do it.”
