Woody's Story: Pushing Past the Impossible

At 80 years old, Woody Binnicker has led an adventurous life. After joining the Army at 20, Woody found a love for sports and physical activity. He started parachuting, powerlifting, running and biking. He competed in triathlons and ran 10Ks.

Picking up trophies along the way, he dove head-first into what he loved. One of his most impressive feats was establishing the first record for the most parachute jumps in a 24-hour period with 201 jumps. Throughout his parachuting career, he logged more than 36,000 total jumps.

Eventually these daring hobbies took a toll on Woody's body. By the time he was in his 70s, the pain was unbearable. After numerous trips to the chiropractor, he was diagnosed with sciatica and L4-L5 spinal complications.

"One doctor even told me that an operation might be the only thing to eliminate the pain," Woody recalls.

Determined, the Eutawville, S.C., resident refused to accept surgery as an option. After seeing a commercial for the BowFlex Max Trainer®, Woody decided to give it a try. Within a year and a half of regular workouts with the machine, he is now pain-free.

"My doctor told me that the motion of the machine kept my back straight and strengthened it too," Woody says. "That was the big plus in getting me where I am today."

Woody continues to make fitness a priority. He even has his own personal man cave — complete with the Max Trainer, BowFlex Xtreme® home gym, a treadmill and his bike, which is attached to a stationary bike stand.

"I have a better quality of life because of the shape that I'm in," Woody explained. "And life treats me fine. I don't want to be the one who has to be pushed in a wheelchair."

Through Woody's example, he has been able to share his love of fitness with his entire family. All of his children have incorporated fitness into their lives — whether it's teaching Jazzercise, playing football or competing in triathlons. More importantly, he has the stamina to keep up with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

When asked what fitness means to him, Woody responded, "It means doing everyday life. It means walking outside and being able to do everyday chores with ease. There are so many people who just can't walk up and down stairs, and I don't want to get in that kind of shape. That's why I keep on keeping on."

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