Freaked at the prospect of doing pull-ups? We don’t blame you: Even for ultra-fit women (and men!) the exercise can be a serious challenge. But if you’re interested in giving one a shot, we’ve found the woman who can help you learn—Carol, the 68-year-old mom of celebrity fitness guru Ashley Borden. When Ashley recently tweeted a photograph of her mom rocking it on the pull-up bar, we knew that readers needed to meet this ultra-fit mamma. So we asked Carol to share some of her own fitness tips and tricks. Read on, get inspired, and then hit the gym. Prevention: How did your fitness routine evolve to incorporate pull-ups? You’ll find me at my favorite step class three times a week. But what I love most is that it’s not only cardio. The class also integrates strength-training exercises that use weights and bands. Doing the chest presses, bent-over rows, and other strengthening exercises is what I believe allowed me to finally do pull-ups. Of course it doesn’t hurt my daughter is a fitness expert. Why is strength training so important to you? My mom had osteoporosis so I know how important it is to develop strong bones—and I do that by lifting weights in the gym. I’ve already seen improvements from my last bone density test…the hard work really does pay off! A few years ago I might have been a bit timid to share my age, but now I’m proud to say I’m 68! I feel good and look better than I have in decades; I never want to stop exercising. How has Ashley’s career changed your own approach to fitness? Hopefully, Ashley picked up her love for healthy living from me. I was a runner for 37 years, and she’d see me wake up every morning and go out for my run. When she was 7, I even opened a health store. But she’s taught me so much about staying fit, and she’s introduced me to foam rolling—which I swear by! (It helps prevent aches and pains and improves flexibility.) I’m stronger now than I ever was when I was just running: I have more energy, I feel great, and I look great! I’ve lost 2 dress sizes and I see definition in my muscles. What do you want other women to know about fitness? It’s never too late to get fit. When I was about 38, I ran a marathon. There was a woman running next to me who was 78-years-old and ran with her two cardiologists by her side. She was such an inspiration, and I remember her to this day. MORE: 8 Effective Exercises You’re Not Doing
