Power couple: Johnson County weightlifters in 70s say training brings these benefits

When it comes to exercise, Paul Hansen and his wife, Joyce, are an anomaly. While national statistics indicate that just over 15% of those age 65 or older regularly exercise, these septuagenarians exercise almost every day and are winning awards in a surprising sport: weightlifting.

The Hansens, who live in Lenexa, work out three hours a day six days a week doing both powerlifting and weightlifting at KC Weightlifting in Mission.

“It is great fun. We socialize with others with similar interests and will hang around with young people who instill energy and purpose for us,” said Paul Hansen, 72. “It is an unusual sport for those over 70, unless you see all the participants at a national or world meet. Weightlifting is an excellent activity for seniors.”

A retired dentist and part-time professor, Hansen competes nationally and internationally in both weightlifting and powerlifting. His wife, Joyce, also 72 and a former physical education instructor and coach, has also competed in the sport. Hansen explains the difference between weightlifting and powerlifting.

“Weightlifting is an Olympic event where you do two lifts, the snatch and the clean and jerk. This sport is well known as you will see it on TV when the Olympics are on,” he said.

Although both involve weights, powerlifting is a bit different.

“This sport is different in that you do not lift the weights above your head. Here you will see the traditional lifting you see in a local gym, the bench press, the squat and the deadlift. Powerlifting is not recognized by the Olympics as a sport they sponsor,” Hansen said.

Hansen is the current national champion in powerlifting for his age group. Last month, he competed in the powerlifting nationals in New Orleans, placing first in the 82.5 kilo weight division for age 70 to 74. The event is certified by the United States Powerlifting Association. He will compete in the invitation-only World Championships for the International Powerlifting League this November in Portland, Oregon.

Joyce Hansen has won her share of titles, as well, including the 2022 National Champion Masters Weightlifting title in the 70-75 age bracket that took place in Salt Lake City. The competition was certified by USA Weightlifting.

“Joyce is not currently competing as we have two new grandchildren, and she is very busy and committed to helping our daughters with the newborns,” Hansen said. However, she continues her weightlifting regimen.

Working out became a regular part of Hansen’s life when he served in the U.S. Air Force. Hansen was stationed with a mobile hospital unit in a remote location in South Korea.

“We were living in 10-man tents, with no electricity, thus no heat or light. The cold wind would come down from Siberia — and it was cold,” Hansen said. “The only places with heat and light were the local off-base bar or the base gym. I chose the gym, as the chances of getting into trouble were much less.

“I found I enjoyed the daily workouts, and the camaraderie of the other soldiers. This was 1977, and I have continued it to this day.”

After he retired as a colonel from the Air Force, Hansen moved to Kansas City to teach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry and open his own private practice. For a time, the couple lived in Nebraska to care for aging parents. Paul Hansen continued teaching at the University of Nebraska.

They returned to the Kansas City area in 2018, reuniting with their two daughters and their families. While retired from his private practice, Hansen still teaches a virtual course for the University of Nebraska.

With more time on their hands, the Hansens took a deep dive into weightlifting. Working out in an Olathe gym, Hansen thought about how to take his weightlifting to another level.

“I knew I was stronger than most in the gym and wondered how I would do competitively,” Hansen said. “With the aid of our coach, both Joyce and I began to learn the Olympic lifts. We had the natural strength from many years of working out, and with effort began to learn weightlifting.”

The Hansens’ coach, Anna Martin, is impressed with the couple’s commitment and determination to the sport.

“It keeps them young and they get to be in here with a bunch of younger kids,” Martin said. “I love that they are not afraid to try new things and it keeps them young. It is becoming a new thing for older people to start lifting and lifting longer. One of the best things to keep you out of a nursing home is to be strong.”

Currently, Hansen is weightlifting 50 kilos (one kilo is about 2.2 pounds) for snatch and 60 kilos for clean and jerk.

The objective of the snatch is to lift the barbell from the ground to overhead in one continuous motion. During the clean, the lifter moves the barbell from the floor to a racked position across the deltoid muscles. During the jerk, the lifter raises the barbell to a stationary position above the head.

While competing is fun, Hansen likes the benefits he’s experiencing from his weightlifting and powerlifting efforts.

“I like physical activity and challenges. I like that my wife will lift with me,” he said, adding that he and his wife like to encourage other seniors to remain active.

“Keeping our bodies in shape is very important to the enjoyment of life,” Hansen said. “We must continue to remain engaged in life in order to participate.”