Barbara Phillips began powerlifting at 75

Barbara Phillips, 75, told Business Insider in a profile published May 19 that she began competitive powerlifting after two hip replacements and now feels “stronger than ever.” The profile said Phillips took up the sport last year after recovering from a second hip replacement, extending a lifetime of sports and fitness into competition. Business Insider said the grandmother of 10 trains six times a week and also goes country-and-western line dancing three times weekly. ### How did Phillips get to powerlifting in her mid-70s? Barbara Phillips had been active for decades before she entered powerlifting competition, according to Business Insider’s May 19 account. The outlet said she had spent much of her life involved in sports, fitness and healthy eating before deciding to compete at 75. March 2025 was a turning point in the account Business Insider published. (businessinsider.com) The story said Phillips was recovering from a serious complication tied to her second hip replacement surgery when she came across powerlifting content on Instagram. That recovery period, according to the profile, preceded her move into competitive lifting. ### What role did the hip replacements play in the story? Two hip replacements are central to the way Phillips described her path back to heavy lifting. Business Insider framed the profile around her return to strength work after those surgeries, saying she resumed lifting and later entered competition. The profile said Phillips credits strength training with helping her regain mobility and function in daily life. (africa.businessinsider.com) Business Insider presented that claim through her own account of feeling physically stronger after surgery and recovery. ### What does her training look like now? Business Insider said Phillips works out six times a week. The profile also said she line dances three times weekly, adding a second regular physical activity to her routine. (businessinsider.com) OpenPowerlifting, an online results database, lists Barbara Phillips in masters competition in Virginia in 2025, including a June 7 meet identified as the American Challenge VA Masters and a November 22 event identified as Powerlifting Worlds. (businessinsider.com) The database shows competition entries in the 70-74 age division and records listed lifts in those meets. ### Did she actually compete after starting so late? (africa.businessinsider.com) Business Insider said Phillips began competing in powerlifting at 75, not simply training recreationally. The profile described her as taking up competitive powerlifting soon after recovering from her second hip replacement. OpenPowerlifting’s database entry for Barbara Phillips provides outside confirmation that a lifter by that name competed in sanctioned meets in 2025. (openpowerlifting.org) The listed results show her participating in masters events in Virginia, with recorded deadlift and total figures in the results table. ### Where can readers see the story next? Business Insider published the profile on May 19 under the headline about starting powerlifting after two hip replacements. (businessinsider.com) The article package includes photos and video alongside Phillips’ account of surgery, recovery and competition. May 19 is also the date readers can find the profile on Business Insider’s site, where Phillips’ training routine, recovery timeline and competition story are presented in full. (openpowerlifting.org) (businessinsider.com)