Schwarzenegger tells weightlifter, 88, 'keep pumping'

An 88-year-old grandfather who took up weightlifting after the death of his wife has spoken of his shock after Arnold Schwarzenegger sent him a personal message on TikTok.

Mick Wadge, from Laneshaw Bridge, Lancashire, began exercising at home with a broom handle and milk containers after his wife, Margaret, died.

His personal trainer, Ross Starkie, said since the BBC shared video of Wadge working out, "it's blown up, so that must be the main reason Arnie's found us".

In his message, the former bodybuilder, movie star and California governor, said: "Love what you are doing! Keep pumping!"

Schwarzenegger, who is himself a 79-year-old grandfather, also said he would "love to introduce" Wadge "to two of my coaches in the US" who could be "a great resource".

For about three years, Wadge has trained with Starkie, a strength and conditioning coach from Burnley who has worked as a personal trainer for a decade.

Wadge said he had always been active and had earned a brown belt in judo when he was younger, but had not previously trained regularly in a gym.

He said exercise had given him "a purpose".

Starkie set up a TikTok account about four weeks ago, which now has more than 3,600 followers and 44,000 likes.

The personal trainer said it was "absolutely wild" to be contacted by "an icon of the fitness industry".

He said his 88-year-old client "initially thought it was a scam," but added: "I said it's not and he couldn't believe it."

"We checked his blue tick and even got AI to check it was real."

"Out of the six-and-a-half million followers Arnold Schwarzenegger's got, he follows 14 and one of them is Old Man Mick's account," Starkie said.

"He's absolutely loving it.

"They've asked for our email address and then we'll be sorting out what happens next.

"He'll probably be wanting him to be one of his doubles in his next movie," he joked.

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