Mick Wadge, an 88-year-old weightlifter from Lancashire, has become a TikTok sensation after receiving a workout message from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The former designer and salesman took up weight training seven years ago following the death of his wife and can now deadlift 110kg, nearly double his body weight of 60kg.
Videos of Wadge training at the Barbell School gym in Burnley have attracted nearly one million views since his personal trainer, Ross Starkie, began posting them on the video platform TikTok a month ago.
The online attention led to a direct message from Schwarzenegger, the 79-year-old bodybuilder, Hollywood actor and former governor of California. Schwarzenegger, who follows just 19 accounts on his profile of 6.5 million followers, sent Wadge a message praising his efforts and telling him to keep pumping.
Wadge said Schwarzenegger had always been his favourite weightlifter and that he had watched all of his films many times. He said that when his daughter told him about the message, he nearly passed out on the floor.
Schwarzenegger also offered to introduce Wadge to two of his coaches in the United States as a potential training resource. Wadge said that while he has only previously travelled to France, Spain and Italy, he would eagerly accept an invitation to travel to America.
Arnold Schwarzenegger praise and viral videos
Following the online exposure, major fitness apparel and sports nutrition companies including Gymshark and MyProtein sent Wadge boxes of products, including protein powders and workout clothing. Radio and television broadcasters also requested that he travel to London for appearances, though Wadge declined, saying he was very happy staying in Lancashire.
Starkie, 35, who founded the Burnley gym, initially tried to edit the training videos to focus strictly on exercise, but decided to leave Wadge's soft Lancashire accent and conversational style unedited. Starkie said many trainers treat older clients timidly by giving them light plastic weights and rubber bands while seated in chairs. He said he chose to treat Wadge normally, leading to rapid muscle gain and steady weight increases.
During a routine workout, Wadge lifts 75kg on the deadlift with minimal effort. In addition to his 110kg personal best deadlift, Wadge can bench press 60kg, squat 60kg, and exercise with 25kg dumbbells, despite standing just 5ft 3in tall.
Wadge expressed particular pride in his upper body and leg development. He said he was most proud of his triceps and biceps, while noting that visitors often photograph his upper body without noticing his strong thighs.
Garden workouts with broom handle and sheep
Wadge began his fitness journey following the death of his wife, Margaret, who died seven years ago shortly after their 60th wedding anniversary following a long struggle with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Wadge said her passing left him with a sudden void and nothing to fill his time.
At the time, Wadge weighed 18 stone, had a large waistline, and admitted he ate constantly while remaining sedentary. He initially passed the time meeting people for coffee, spending time with his daughter Maxine, and feeding leftover cake and biscuits to grazing sheep behind his home in Laneshaw Bridge, near Burnley.
Seeking activity, Wadge began exercising in his garden using a broom handle fitted with water-filled milk containers as weights. Over time, he attached wheelbarrow wheels for added resistance before graduating to a standard barbell and 5kg weights.
On his 85th birthday, three years ago, his daughter treated him to four training sessions with Starkie, who was a friend of Wadge's grandson, Jack. The sessions evolved into a permanent routine, with Starkie describing Wadge as a close friend from whom he has learned a great deal.
Daily training schedule and nutrition
Wadge trains with Starkie every Tuesday at Barbell School. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, he visits a local leisure centre gym to conduct his own workouts, warming up with 40 push-ups, 40 sit-ups and 40 triceps dips before lifting weights.
His daily nutrition includes a breakfast of porridge with honey, a protein shake, an evening salad, and creatine powder, a dietary supplement used by weightlifters to support muscle strength and cognitive function. Wadge also regularly attends local coffee mornings with friends, where he enjoys cake.
Wadge recently encouraged his 77-year-old friend John to join the gym. After John completed a 120kg deadlift, earning the nickname Strong John, Wadge stated that he now aims to equal his friend's lifting record. Wadge, Starkie and John meet monthly for coffee and cake, with Starkie noting their combined age totals roughly 350 years.
Career background and local community work
Before retiring, Wadge worked for decades as a designer for British engineering firm Rolls-Royce. He left the role when the company relocated operations from Burnley to Derby, as he refused to leave his local area. He subsequently worked as a salesman for beer and damp-proofing companies, spent decades playing drums semi-professionally four nights a week in local clubs, and earned a brown belt in judo.
Wadge demonstrated his attachment to his community when football club Burnley FC bought out its shareholders several years ago. Wadge spent thousands of pounds from his share return at the official club store, purchasing merchandise to hand out to local schoolchildren and supporters on the street.
Despite his growing internet profile, Wadge remains unfazed by social media attention and confirmed he is not seeking romantic interest or public fame. He credited Starkie with giving him a renewed purpose in life, adding that while he occasionally struggles to remember names in the morning, he considers himself the luckiest person on the planet.
