My dad did it until well into his fifties.

That man was unbelievably strong. Plus, he used his body to its maximum potential with minimal effort. He’d watch my brother and I struggle with something heavy and he’d come over, put his hand on our shoulder so we’d step back and he’d lift whatever it was like it was nothing. Do it like this, he’d say. Don’t fight it.

He (we) put a large block addition to our house (garage with upstairs bedrooms) which required us to install a 24’ I-beam.

The beam got delivered just as we were off to school. When we got home at the end of the day, it was up! He somehow teeter-tottered the thing up inch by inch using a car jacks and wood blocks.

Thats known as "old man strength " ! Real functional strength built up over time.

.I know a few older dudes like that, who are just ridiculously animal strong.

.

I had that through the first TRSA (total reverse shoulder arthroplasty [replacement]). Now on lifetime restrictions. That's OK, I'm 76 in a month. No need to be Atlas.

Here's the thing: whatever one does physically throughout life adds up. 100 YO'ds tend to be a little shorter and a little lighter who ate well, didn't smoke or drink too much.

And weren't laborers for years on end.

My father and grandparents were masons. At 59, my back pain reflects carrying those 98 pound bags and pushing wheelbarrows of mud in my teens/20s.

Lol, I clicked thinking that it was a Masonic thread.

Thanks for all the encouraging replies, and the reality check. It’s given me a lot to think about. Several of you suggested I train to be a plumber or sparky instead. This would make practical sense, but unfortunately there is little creativity in these trades and this is not intended to be a career move. Appreciate all your comments, cheers, Alex