Struggling to Stay Consistent at the Gym? Meet the 70-Year-Old 'Weightlifter Mummy' Who Deadlifts 120 Kg

If your idea of a typical Indian grandma involves knitting sweaters, chasing grandkids with a belan, or complaining about joint pain every five minutes, prepare to have your mind blown. Because Roshni Devi from Delhi isn’t your usual daadi. While most seniors are googling "knee pain remedies", she’s smashing deadlifts, squats, and leg presses up to 120 kgs at the age of 70! Just a couple of years ago, she was battling severe knee arthritis and chronic back pain. Long walks? Out of the question. Even bending down was a struggle. Doctors tried the usual medications, physiotherapy, and heating pads, but the relief was always short-lived. Sound familiar? We’ve all seen an elder in our home quietly going through the same.

And let’s be real — it’s not just the elderly. Even we, as young adults, find it difficult to stay motivated and be consistent with our gym routines. So what keeps Roshni Devi going? What’s the motivation behind her transformation into the “Weightlifter Mummy”?

Breaking Age Barriers: Roshni Devi’s Strength Training Journey

Back in 2022, at age 68, Roshni Devi received news that left her stunned — she was diagnosed with knee arthritis. “Once I heard from the doctor that I’m diagnosed with knee arthritis, I was totally shocked and thought, if something happened to me, who will take care of my son?” she recalls. The fear wasn’t about her health alone, but about becoming a burden — something many elderly Indians quietly worry about. But help came from an unexpected place — her own son, Ajay Sangwan, a certified fitness trainer. He wasn’t ready to see his mum get confined to a bed. He decided to quit his business and personally train her. “For the first time, when I heard that mum was diagnosed with knee arthritis, I couldn’t sleep properly for 2–3 days. Then I decided to quit my business and become a full-time trainer so I could train her personally.”

Initially, she hesitated. Gym? At 68? “When my son suggested the gym, I became hesitant, but I kept trust in my son and joined,” she says. The first few sessions were painful, emotionally and physically. “My body was in a lot of pain, but my son always stood with me, encouraging me. He told me, ‘Ab ruk gaye to kabhi nahi kar paoge’, and that motivated me a lot.” Her training wasn’t just about lifting weights. It was about lifting herself out of fear and dependency. Days when her knees ached, and the doctor advised “Mata ji, ab aaram karo zyada kaam mat karo” — those were the hardest. “These words deeply hurt me. No one decides when I become an elder or not.”

With each lift, she reclaimed more than just physical strength. “Beyond numbers, my mental health became so strong and the confidence level became so high, which now reflects in me.” Her transformation, both inside and out, wasn’t overnight. It came with consistency, struggle, and stubborn dedication. And when motivation dipped, it wasn’t fancy quotes or social media likes that kept her going. “The days I went through knee pain were the toughest. But what kept me going was the thought that life only stops when you stop giving time to yourself.”

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Ajay too, had his fair share of challenges. Training your own mother isn’t a walk in the park. “It was very hard to tell your mum to obey your rules strictly in the gym. It’s tough to teach an elderly person, but I knew if I gave up, then who would help her?” Their relationship evolved from just “mum and son” to “trainee and coach.” Now, Roshni Devi regularly performs exercises like deadlifts (70 kg), squats (50 kg), and leg presses (120 kg). Her workouts last more than 1.5 hours daily and include rowing, hamstring curls, and stretching. Her diet? All vegetarian and protein-rich — moong dal, rajma, paneer, chickpeas, and seeds make regular appearances in her meals.

The journey also came with lessons from Ajay for other elderly individuals. “The main thing is posture — doesn’t matter what exercise you’re doing, first focus on movement and posture. Secondly, work on your core. If your core is strong, you can handle daily life much better. Lastly, stretching — even if you're not in the gym, just stretch. It relaxes your joints.” And if you’re someone reading this and thinking “But I’m too old to start now” — Roshni Devi has something for you: “There is no age limit to do anything in your life. Life only stops when you stop giving time to yourself.” She adds, “If I could send a message into the mind of someone convinced they’re too old to start, I’d simply ask — ‘If not now, then when?’”