Erika Rischko is a grandmother of one and an 82-year-old mother of two who became an online fitness influencer after being inspired by health blogs and podcasts.
Renée Rischko, from Langenfeld, Germany, describes herself as a “late bloomer” when it comes to fitness, yet she is now inspiring people decades her junior with the workouts she posts on TikTok and Instagram.
“I’m very grateful and humble that younger people are being inspired by me,” Rischko said on “I love comments like, ‘You’re so inspiring; life goals, couple goals, could you be my grandparents?'”
“I’m delighted if I can just slightly alter the image of old people as being boring or inactive,” she said.
Rischko, a housewife, revealed she did not begin exercising regularly until her mid-fifties, when her daughter signed her up for a local gym.
“I was lonely as both children were out of the house for the first time,” Rischko said. “The first five years, I wasn’t as ‘addicted.’ Then things started to pick up, and I began dabbling in longer spin classes and rowing competitions.”
She said she exercises twice a day, several days each week now that she is middle-aged.
“My husband, who is 81 years old, goes to the gym with me every week morning,” she said. “I usually bike to and from the gym so my spouse doesn’t have to wait for me.” She also trains three to four times a week for an hour at night during the week.
“I didn’t know what to expect because I’m a former fitness professional,” said Rischko of her Instagram debut. “But it’s been a wonderful experience and I’ve met some really amazing people.” She joined Instagram in February, at the request of her daughter, who wanted her to share her workouts with family and friends.
When the coronavirus pandemic forced gyms to close in early May, Rischko began posting fitness challenges on Instagram.
“The feedback was universally positive, which I found incredibly uplifting given my history of insecurity,” she continued. “Then, when my daughter discovered TikTok during a German TV program that featured some of the dance challenges, the app became very popular during the epidemic.”
Rischko began participating in some of TikTok’s fitness activities and built a following fast. Her videos on the social networking software have over two million likes now.
“I never imagined I’d get so many uplifting remarks and followers,” Rischko stated, adding that her daughter helps her film and post her fitness videos. “Both applications [Instagram and TikTok] have assisted me in remaining up to date on current technology trends.”
When it comes to her workouts, Rischko advised that she is always experimenting with something new, urging her younger followers to do the same.
“I change up the mix all of the time in order to acquire a different intensity and/or duration,” she added. “It’s critical to vary your workout regimen in order to become stronger and avoid wasting time.”
Rischko credits her long life to eating fresh meals, but not counting calories, rarely drinking alcohol, and quitting smoking 30 years ago.
“I’d advise against doing anything overly drastic, but rather start gradually,” advised Rischko. “Just eat healthy food without blaming yourself.”
“And figure out what works for you,” she added. “Find a sport that you love since if you don’t like it, you won’t last, and if you’re not as disciplined as I am, join up with someone else because it’s not easy to bail on someone.”
Rischko’s closing piece of advice is to get started now. “I wish I had started much earlier, when I was still in my forties,” she added.
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