'Age is just a number' - 80-year-old bodybuilder from Crawley defies the odds to win another title
An 80-year-old bodybuilder from Crawley has won another title – and believes his weightlifting exploits have helped him recover from a brain tumour, prostate cancer, hip replacement and a hernia.
David Brice has won many titles over the years as he has moved through the age categories and this year he won the BNBF (British Natural Bodybuilding Federation) British Finals, held in Leatherhead.
He is one of just four competitors currently competing in the Over 80s category.
His bodybuilding competitions have mostly been with the BNBF as they are non-drugs and test appropriately. The Annual Competition schedule consists of Regional British Qualifiers throughout the UK (including Northern Ireland) with the British Finals in October each year.
The Masters Categories are Over 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80.
David, who lives in Felbridge, told us: “I started weight-training at the age of 16. In my early 20s I competed in Olympic weightlifting gaining titles at 82.5Kgs. In my late 20s I competed in Powerlifting gaining titles at 82.5/ 90Kgs. My last Powerlifting competition was at the age of 50. I started competing in Masters Natural Bodybuilding at the age of 55 and gained first place in Masters titles in the Over-60 and 70s category and this year in the Over-80s category.”
David, who will be 81 in January loves taking part in the competition but that is not the main reason why he weightlifts.
“I enjoy the Training and Nutritional discipline required to compete; but my main reason is to remain ‘in shape’,” he said. “This has helped me cope and recover quicker from a brain tumour, prostate cancer, hip replacement, hernia and I was born with only two flaps on my aortic aalve instead a the normal three.
"I am currently waiting for Surgery on an Inguinal Hernia and I am particularly proud of myself for training with this since April 2026 with the occasional discomfort.”
David performs resistance training and mid-section most days; using a Split Body Routine with Super Set, Drop Set Techniques. He is constantly reviewing his workouts to take into consideration of his aging process. He added: “I strongly believe that age is just a number.”
David has been married to Linda for 60 years and they have two daughters and two granddaughters. “They have grown up with my lifestyle and are very supportive,” he said.
He has been a Fitness Instructor at the K2 Crawley Leisure Centre for 20 years and his present role is that of GP Exercise Referral Coordinator/ Instructor. “I receive Exercise Referrals from Medical Professionals in the Crawley Area and produce/ monitor a Personalised Exercise Programme for them to improve their quality of life. I find this very rewarding as I feel I am making a real difference to people live.”