Lesley Maxwell is a 65-year-old bodybuilder who loves working out with her daughter Vanessa Christofi and 22-year-old granddaughter, Tia Christofi.
The trio regularly wow strangers who can’t believe they’re all members of different generations.
‘People are always surprised to learn that we are actually three totally different generations of a family,’ says grandmother Lesley. ‘However, we always have a wonderful time together chatting, having a laugh, and training.
‘I’m so blessed to have such a lovely family.
‘I’m also very lucky that I get to share clothes with my daughter and granddaughter. When we do shoots together, most of the clothes come from Tia’s wardrobe.
‘She loves doing the styling and colour coordinating us.’
Lesley, a personal trainer from Melbourne, Australia, says strangers are shocked when she tells them she’s a grandmother.
‘I guess it is a little out of the ordinary to think that a grandmother is doing deadlifts and chin-ups in the gym,’ she added.
‘However, I’d recommend weight training to women of all ages as there are so many health benefits to training this way.
‘It strengthens our bones and helps us tone our body by adding muscle. I’d love to see more women of all ages lifting weights.
‘It’s the anti-ageing way to train.
‘I usually do four weight training sessions a week, plus as I’m a trainer and in the gym most days, you could say that I get some incidental exercise as I’m often carrying the weights or ‘spotting’ my clients.
‘I also do some exercise demonstrations, so I guess that also helps.’
Tia, who owns a social media marketing agency, has always been interested in keeping up the fit family tradition with cheerleading and going to the gym.
She says people tend to think Lesley is her mum rather than her gran.
She added: ‘They’re taken back when I correct them and tell them she is my grandmother.
‘I love spending time with my mum and my grandmother. We motivate and inspire each other during our training sessions.’
‘I film my grandmother and myself working out and people love to see it.
‘She’s 43 years my senior and we both lift weights and follow the same workout routine while dressed in similar apparel. It was a video that went viral.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE : My heart broke tearing my kids from their grandmother – but it was best for them
MORE : ‘I was 27, fit and full of life when doctors told me I was dying’
Sign up to our guide to what’s on in London, trusted reviews, brilliant offers and competitions. London’s best bits in your inbox
