At 71 years old, Lim Lean Ee is preparing for her first powerlifting competition, defying age norms in a sport typically dominated by younger athletes. The grandmother of four has been training rigorously for the women-only event Lift Like A Girl, held on October 17 in Singapore, which is organised by the non-profit Powerlifting SG and the female-focused fitness studio Activ.Co.
Lim began strength training in 2019 after her daughter, who works in the technology sector, encouraged both her and her husband—himself in his late 70s—to attend free personal training sessions at the gym where she trains. Initially, Lim, a Malaysia-born permanent resident of Singapore, faced significant soreness and difficulty walking after her first sessions. However, over time, she adapted to the physical demands and completed a block of 10 training sessions.
Following a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lim resumed training in 2024 under new coaching guidance. Approximately 18 months ago, she was referred to Daphne Loo, head coach at Stoic Strength, a private gym in Singapore’s Central Business District. While the original goal was to improve Lim’s overall strength and mobility to enhance her daily activities and reduce injury risk, Loo soon recognised her potential in competitive powerlifting.
Powerlifting consists of three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. It requires not only strength but strict adherence to technique and competition rules. Lim’s personal records include a 70kg deadlift—the equivalent of her own body weight—along with a 30kg bench press and a 45kg squat. Although she will be the sole competitor in her age and weight category, Loo emphasises that Lim’s main challenge is pushing her own limits.
Training sessions also serve as preparation for mastering English-language competition commands, as Lim is more fluent in Mandarin. Her commitment has led to noticeable physical transformation, attracting compliments from friends, and she reports improved health aside from managing high blood pressure.
In addition to her powerlifting regimen, Lim maintains an active lifestyle with spin classes three to four times weekly, weight machine workouts, and regular weekend walks with her husband near their home in central Singapore. She also participates in overseas activities such as skiing and hiking, including a recent trek along a section of the Great Wall of China.
Lim credits her enhanced strength with improving her ability to volunteer at the HCA Hospice in Woodlands, where she has served for over three decades. She prepares and delivers large home-cooked meals for about 30 beneficiaries weekly without assistance, citing the benefits of muscle gain on her energy and independence.
Her dedication to volunteering stems from a personal philosophy that life needs purpose beyond leisure. She recalls poignant moments in her work, such as providing comfort food to a terminally ill patient, and assisting with end-of-life activities for others.
Lim sees exercise and self-care as vital assets that benefit not only herself but also alleviates concerns for her family’s future well-being. As she prepares to take the stage in her inaugural competition, Lim exemplifies resilience and the pursuit of personal challenge well into her seventies.