Neureuther to compete in national competition

WORKING OUT — Aaron Neureuther, Sr. works out with dumb bells, and below, bench presses. Neureuther will be competing in the nationals in November in Reno, Nev.
by Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    In May of 2006, Aaron Neureuther, Sr. thought his days as a weight lifter were gone when he had major open-heart surgery on six vessels.
    “My local doctor said I shouldn’t do anything like this at all anymore,” Neureuther said after his workout at Main Street Fitness. “About eight weeks later, I saw my surgeon. He said to let my chest completely heal, about a year, and if it doesn’t bother you, do it.”
    So, Neureuther started competing again.
    “I’ve been working out ever since and I really feel good,” he said.
    Not only is it remarkable that he made a comeback from heart surgery, but the fact he is 76 years old and has done it, is truly extraordinary.
    “I have been competing every other year,” he said.
    In 2009, Neureuther’s best bench was 147 pounds, which set a state record in his weight division. In April of this year, he competed in Portland and set new state records in the bench (176 pounds) and dead lift (225 pounds).
    “Each time I lifted, I broke my own record,” he added.
    Neureuther began lifting at Guiod’s Gym in 1998 alongside his son John. They competed in Bangor and at that time, Neureuther said he benched about 165 pounds as his top weight.
    “After Guiod’s Gym closed, no one competed much after that,” he said. “I did just a little bit after that.”
    Now that Neureuther is back to lifting, he is looking forward to setting new goals.
    “I qualified for nationals in Reno, Nevada in November,” he said. “My goal is a 200-pound bench, which is my best bench weight here in the gym. Right now, I am at 185 pounds, so I am close.”
    Neureuther will be competing in the 75-79 age division and weight class of 198 pounds.
    “I really enjoy lifting,” he said. “According to a lot of articles I read, as you get older your muscles start to deteriorate. But, if you continually work out, especially with heavy weights or light dumb bells for that matter, your muscle tone and strength comes back to a certain degree.”
    Neureuther is a retired Houlton Regional Hospital anesthetist, who finds weight lifting full of health benefits.
    “I feel wonderful,” he said. “I can do the usual chores around the house and lifting is no problem. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I can do just about anything. And, it keeps me in good shape to take care of my grandchildren.”
    Neureuther believes regardless of age, anyone can enjoy lifting.
    “When I competed in Portland there was a man 80-years-old and he lifted far heavy weights than I did. He was in a heavier weight class, but he had been lifting since he was 13 years old and he never quit,” said Neureuther. “He did not look anywhere near 80. I would have put him in his early 60s. He had be weight lifting all of his life and he felt great.”
    Though Neureuther isn’t sure how he will do on the national circuit, he knows just one thing, “I may not do as well as at the state level and I may be out of my class in Reno, but I will do the best I can.”