100-year-old bodybuilder’s reveals no.1 secret to living a long, healthy life: 'Don't listen to...'

Andrew Bostinto's routine includes dips, chin-ups, knee-ups and ab work — all adapted when needed, especially after recovering from a stroke and managing a leg injury from his military service. (AI-generated image)

At 100, US national Andrew Bostinto is still lifting weights — and winning. Just four months after his milestone birthday, the centenarian clinched top honours at the National Gym Association Inc.’s (NGA) physique contest this May, walking away with a championship belt. Bostinto, who is also the founder and CEO of NGA, has been training for over eight decades and shows no signs of slowing down.

“I never thought about getting old. This is what I do today, I’ll do this tomorrow,” Bostinto told CNBC Make It.

A life built on fitness and service

Bostinto’s commitment to fitness began before age 13, training in parks and later becoming a gymnast and hand balancer. By 17, he was already modelling. He won “Senior Mr. America” at 52, but says his proudest achievement is his 29 years of service in the US Army.

His longevity, he says, is rooted in discipline. “Number one thing is to know what you want to accomplish. Commit yourself to it. Be disciplined. Don’t listen to people telling you you’re wasting your time. Don’t listen to negatives.”

Training at 100: push-ups, dips, and gym sessions

Despite his age, Bostinto trains five to six days a week. “Physically, I’m in good shape,” he told CNBC Make It. “I do push-ups against the counter. At the gym, I do six to seven basic exercises.” His routine includes dips, chin-ups, knee-ups, and ab work — all adapted when needed, especially after recovering from a stroke and managing a leg injury from his military service.

Clean eating, no excess

Bostinto’s diet has evolved with age. While he once followed a strict high-protein, low-carb regimen with 15 glasses of water daily, he now focuses on moderation. “I don’t overeat anything. Everything I eat, I control. I don’t want something greasy,” he said. He’s never smoked or consumed alcohol.

Driven by purpose, not praise

Bostinto’s motivation has always been internal. “I didn’t train for other people,” he said. “I trained for me. It’s something I was able to do, and [say], ‘Look what I did for myself.’”

Raised in poverty, he says fitness gave him purpose when little else did. “My mother never had a penny in her pocket. I never had a Christmas present, birthday presents. Never had anything. I dealt with it.”

Now, at 100, he’s still dealing with it — one disciplined rep at a time.