Older Bodybuilders Flourish At Florida Championship Event

PHOTOS: Ripped Bodies Aren't Just For 20-Somethings

Chiseled and ripped bodies aren't just for 20 somethings. It seems like a growing number of post-50s are staying fit through bodybuilding competitions, too.

In fact, NPC Southern States Championships, "bodybuilding's largest regional qualifier" according to its website, had to adjust its categories to make room for older bodybuilders this year.

Now in its 33rd year, the two-day competition in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., debuted its first Women's Bikini Over 50 category, the Sun-Sentinel reported. After the championship offered a Women's Bikini Over 30 category in 2010, more "mature" bodybuilders wanted a category for themselves.

"This is a hot spot for very-built retirees," Southern States Championships organizer Peter Potter told the Sun-Sentinel.

No kidding. Take a look at the photos below to see some of the older bodybuilders who held their own in the bodybuilding championship. (And congratulations to Therese Lofkvist, the first Women's Bikini Over 50 overall winner!)

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Bodybuilders take part in the Fifty and over competition at the 2013 NPC Southern States Championships at War Memorial Auditorium in Ft.Lauderdale. (Carline Jean / Sun Sentinel)

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Bodybuilder Robert Drapkin, 68 from Clearwater gets pumped up before he competes in the 2013 NPC Southern States Championships at the War Memorial Auditorium. (Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel)

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Bodybuilder Jack Scow, 63, from Fresno, poses before he competes in the 2013 NPC Southern States Championships at the War Memorial Auditorium. (Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel)

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Senior bodybuilders line up as they prepare to go on the stage to compete in the 2013 NPC Southern States Championships at the War Memorial Auditorium. (Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel)

To see more photos from the 2013 NPC Southern States Championships, visit SouthFlorida.com.

Before You Go

Jim Morris, 77-Year-Old Bodybuilder

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