Lee Labrada still has plenty left in the tank as he shows off his jacked legs.
You can’t beat the classics. Despite being 61 years old, Lee Labrada recently revealed some jacked and ripped legs that would put some young bodybuilders to shame. The veteran bodybuilding legend still has plenty left in the tank and is still maintaining his physique at an advanced age.
Getting in great shape when you’re younger is a simple task. Well at least it’s an easier task anyway. When you’re younger you feel like you’re made out of a combination of rubber and steel. There’s almost nothing that can slow you down or knock you off course. But time is undefeated and no one can stave off the effects of aging.
While looking great is a bodybuilder’s goal, you have to imagine that longevity is also high up their on the latter of desired results. If you could maintain a top physique into your advanced age wouldn’t you do everything necessary to ensure that happens?
Well it appears that bodybuilding legend Lee Labrada has certainly found the secret formula. A staple in the bodybuilding scene in the 1980s, Lee Labrada wowed fans with his combination of well developed musculature and presentation. There’s no doubt about it, Labrada was one of the best posers back in his day. He was able to maintain a ripped and shredded form and present it with both strength and grace on stage.
Now that he’s in his sixties the legend has now passed things on to his son Hunter Labrada. the younger Labrada is far larger than his father during his competition days. That said he still has a well balanced physique himself and has a ton of potential on his side. Hunter is prepping for the Chicago Pro and is looking like a chip off the old block 13 weeks out.
Lee Labrada no doubt has some great genetics. You can see that by simply glimpsing at Hunter. But what makes him so special? What is the secret to his power? Lee discusses that in the Instagram post below.
If you make it a top priority to eat healthy food and work out consistently, you can get lean and stay lean even into your later years. I’m 61, I’ve been hitting the gym religiously since I was 16, and the last time I competed was when I was 35. I can’t lift as heavy as I used to, but I do train with moderate weights, and strict form in order to keep the stress on the muscles.
As for my diet, I eat five meals per day year round. Each meal contains a high-quality protein such as fish, chicken breast or protein powder. I consume lots of rice, black beans, sweet potatoes, oatmeal and bananas. And I’m not afraid of healthy fats… I eat avocados, nuts and salmon every day. If I stray from my diet, my body makes me pay for it. I immediately sense a loss of energy, and I become lethargic. It’s amazing what your body can do when you treat it right.
Lee Labrada was candid that genetics play a factor in his physique. That said, he also explained that all of his muscle was hard earned through consistent training.
There’s definitely some genetics involved, as I was always very lean from the time I was a teenager. However, I was one of those hard gainers that had to struggle to gain weight. I weigh 170 pounds in this video. At 5’6”, that puts me solidly in classic bodybuilding competition size. At my last competition in 1995, I weighed 195 pounds. That’s almost 20 pounds less than the cut off for the 212’s these days; and back then I was beating men that weighed 230lbs or more.
I hope this will inspire you guys to keep hammering it in the gym every day. Bodybuilding is a lifelong pursuit. It is a journey, not a destination. Travel well, my iron brothers and sisters! Love to all, Lee
Lee Labrada truly is a testament to how hard work and dedication to your health can yield the ultimate benefits even at an advanced age.
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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.