A 65-year-old super fit gran has begun her training for a body sculpting competition – saying “age is just a number”.
Influencer Lesley Maxwell is well known for her rock-hard abs but she is raising the stakes in 2026.
The personal trainer, who has 148,000 followers, is entering a body sculpting challenge and reckons she will beat anyone who stands in her way.
The All Natural Figure Competitions is set for April 2026.
“If anyone had told me I’d be building my glutes for a competition in my sixties, I probably would have laughed,” Lesley, from Melbourne, Australia, told Need To Know.
“But here I am, in comp prep mode again.
“My routine consists of training my lower body with every workout, so that’s four days a week.
“And I do my signature ‘alternating sets’ so that’s a lower body exercise followed by an upper body exercise.
“It’s going to be a fun but challenging journey.
“I love pushing myself and seeing what can be achieved.
“Not just on a personal level – but hoping I can inspire others to realise that age is just a number.
“Over the last decade, the ideal stage physique has shifted and glutes have become a major focus.
“So the judges are now looking for a fuller more balanced lower body.
“Just like fashion evolves, so do competition standards and I want to see what changes I can make in these areas.”
For Lesley, the competition day itself will also be packed with prep to shine on stage.
She said: “It’s an early start; check-ins, tanning, hair, make -up and posing practice to get our muscles popping.
“I really try to stay in the moment and in my own world so I don’t get distracted.
“Once on stage, we’re judged on balance, symmetry, posing muscle tone and overall presentation.
“It’s a long and intense but incredibly fulfilling day.
“After this comp we will move on to the nationals, where the winners from each state compete.
“From there, the top competitors are selected to represent their country at the world titles.
“It’s such an exciting time and I’ve met so many amazing people along the way.
“I keep cardio minimal until closer to the event.
“And I always eat clean nourishing food with enough protein and fats.
“I basically live on eggs and steak with a piece of fruit daily.
“Some would say it’s tough but I love how it makes me feel.”
Lesley hopes to encourage other people her own age to take up fitness and look after their bodies better.
She said: “It’s amazing that we can change the shape and health of our body, shape our glutes, tone our arms and tighten our waist regardless of age.
“I wish more people were aware of the power of what we eat and training effectively.
“People know better than to ask me to slow down.
“This is what keeps me strong, happy and inspired.”
