Local Grandmother Wows Judges At Body Building Competition
PALMDALE (CBS) — When most people think of grandma, string bikinis and ripped muscles usually aren't part of the picture – unless you're thinking of Ruby Carter-Pikes.
The 64-year-old Palmdale resident, known as "Miss Ruby" recently bested her 20-something competitors by scoring second place for Women's Figure, a category judged by shoulders, lats, abs and quads, at the FitSciences Championships in Atlanta. Carter-Pikes was also a top finisher in the Fit Mom Class.
"It shows that age is only a number -- anybody could be fit," Carter-Pikes said. "I mean, just cause you're 60, doesn't mean you have to be bent down on a stick."
On her profile on bodyproud.org, Carter-Pikes says she was born with a heart condition that would affect her breathing. After several family members died of high blood pressure and diabetes, Carter-Pikes said she wanted to be an example of how to live a healthier and more fit lifestyle.
While working for the Department of Defense in Chicago, Carter-Pikes said she took on the role as personal trainer to help employees make use of the company's fitness center. She then started competing in local races, marathons and body building contests. The mother of four, who started body building at age 51, has a case, showing off more than 20 fitness trophies.
"Rather than feeling that it is genetic…I know first hand that these diseases can be managed by simply making small changes in what one eats and how it is prepared," Carter-Pikes wrote. "And it is definitely to one benefit to incorporate some kind of physical activity into his/her daily schedule."
