Charles Eugster, 93, Who Experiments On Himself

“We’ve confused disease with aging. Diseases are not a mandatory condition of getting old!” believes Charles Eugster.

He’s been working on his experiment for over 30 years now, of which he is the primary, and only, subject. Charles is attempting to prove, based on his own experience, that it is possible to age without getting sick. The experiment started when Charles was 60. Now, he is 93, with a clean bill of health. Many years have passed since he quit taking any medicine, except for vitamins and protein, the latter — to aid muscle growth during strength training. The experiment continues.

Charles Eugster is now a tireless athlete. Before 60, however, he was a total couch potato, preferring to take every opportunity to lay down over any physical exercise. This lifestyle caught up with Charles and he developed an array of health problems, including varicose veins and low blood pressure.

One fine day, Eugster learned that there is a rowing competition for people in his age group. He remembered that he had, in his youth, enjoyed this sport and decided to try once again.

Charles left the couch and began his training. Two years into it, he realized that his was no longer bothered by any of his ailments. His amazing transformation led Charles to investigate what processes the body undergoes after age 60. And, so, began Charles’ experiment. He changed his diet, continued his training, and delved into his research.

Through his research, Eugster concluded that modern society is mistaken in assuming that the processes of aging and becoming sick are inseparable. This assumption did not match reality. The reason so many diseases are common in older people is not because they are aging, but because with each passing year, more and more muscle tissue is replaced with fat.

“Obesity is not just an accumulation of fat,” says Eugster, “it is the combination of weight gain and a lack of physical activity that leads to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many other diseases, not to mention the impact on brain health.

To avoid this path, the body needs to constantly be exercised. Till about age 18, Charles stayed fit with relatively little effort. He exercised regularly, maintained a good diet and was content with his overall health and athletic build.

“Based on my experience, if one actively exercises, then at age seventy, the body responds to stresses in the same way as it did in its youth,” says Charles.

However, at 85, Charles began going through what he calls his “mid-life crisis.” It’s become much harder for him to reach his physical goals and much easier to have increased fat and decreased muscle, despite constant trainings.

“I didn’t like what I saw when I looked in the mirror,” Charles explained. “I decided that I needed to seek advice from those who know better than anyone how to quickly grow big muscles.”

That’s how 87-year old Charles Eugster became a bodybuilder.

With strength training and a special diet, Charles quickly returned to his previous fit form and lost 12 kilograms within one year!

Now, at 93, Charles is completely healthy. He weighs as much as he did when he was drafted into the army (in 1942) and can do 50 push-ups in 45 seconds. He still actively trains and often participates in rowing regattas, although he is now guided by a trainer who specializes in working with people over 70. Thanks to Charles, the trainer is partaking in this unique experiment and gaining invaluable experience.

Despite the intense trainings, constant regattas and championships, Charles Eugster’s thoughts could not be further from retirement. Until age 75, Charles worked as a dentist, then from 75 to 82, he published dental bulletins, and up until 92 — as the face of a fitness gym chain. Now, at 93, Charles is on the hunt for a new job.

“There is a direct connection between being busy and being healthy,” Charles is convinced. “The longer you work, the longer you live.”

Aside from a new job, Eugster is also on the search for a new girlfriend. Charles was widowed many years ago and is now tired of bachelorhood. He would be thrilled to meet a girl, say in her 70s, but he warns all prospective girlfriends that he is not interested in anything too serious — he is not ready for another marriage.