The Fine Gael TD, 67, became a viral sensation last month when he posted a video showing off his toned torso while swimming in Dollymount.
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The stunt was an attempt to promote tourism in the north Dublin seaside region — but he also unwittingly managed to promote the importance of exercise in the over-60s.
And according to one fitness expert, there has been a big spike in queries from senior citizens looking to create their version of the Bruton Bod.
David Sisk, from Cork-based David Sisk Fitness, said: “Our website statistics have shown the number of queries for ‘over-60s fitness’, ‘over-60s personal training’ etc have gone up five-fold in the past few weeks.
“As well as queries from people looking for training for themselves, we also have children of over-60s making queries for their parents and they’ve mentioned the Richard Bruton video as inspiration.”
While going to the gym isn’t popular among the over-60s, Sisk says resistance training and work-outs with a personal trainer offer huge benefits.
And he said it’s particularly important as people age as it helps to increase mobility, boost mood and can help reduce instances of certain cancers.
Resistance training also helps people to maintain muscle mass and bone density, which reduces with age.
David explained: “To me it’s not why should someone over 60 take up an exercise program but why wouldn’t they?”
Here he offers a guide to help people train at home.
AOIFE FINNERAN looks at the easy-to-follow exercises, to be repeated between two and four times, with a one to two-minute rest between rounds, his head trainer Vilma Zyvatkauskaite has put together.
SQUATS (15 TO 20 REPETITIONS)
BEGINNERS can use a chair for balance to start with.
Start with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart.
Keep your chest up, engage your abdominals, shift your weight onto your heels as you push your hips back into a sitting position.
Lower your hips until your thighs are parallel or almost parallel to the floor.
You should feel your toes and gluteus (backside muscles).
Pause with your knees over, but not beyond, your toes.
Exhale and push back to the starting position.
BIRD DOGS (20 REPETITIONS)
BEGIN on all fours with your abdomen drawn in and your chin tucked.
Slowly raise one arm (thumb up to ceiling) and opposite leg toe pointed away.
Keep both the moving arm and leg straight while lifting them to body height.
Hold and return both the arm and leg slowly to the ground, maintaining optimal alignment. Repeat with the other side. Do ten each side.
BRIDGES (15 TO 20 REPETITIONS)
BEGIN by lying flat on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat, toes pointing straight ahead and arms by your sides, with palms flat.
Activate your glutes (bum muscles) and lift your hips off the ground to form a straight line between your knees and shoulders.
SUGGESTED DAILY FOOD INTAKE
BREAKFAST: Porridge made with water, some berries, chia seeds, agave syrup or maple syrup to sweeten up. Or munch on my favourite: Overnight oats with kefir, blueberries, linseeds and some honey.
LUNCH: A big plate of salad/veg with some protein (chicken or turkey) and one to two slices of wholemeal, spelt or rye bread.
DINNER: Grilled salmon with some brown rice and broccoli.
Hold and slowly return back to the ground.
BICEP CURLS (12 TO 15 REPETITIONS)
STAND holding a dumbbell in each hand with your arms hanging by your sides. If you are a beginner, you should start with 2kg dumbbells.
Ensure your elbows are close to your torso and your palms facing forward.
Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale as you curl up to shoulder level while contracting your biceps.
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SHOULDER PRESS (12 TO 15 REPETITIONS)
BEGIN with your feet shoulder-width apart and pointing straight ahead with your knees over second or third toes. Stand with one foot slightly ahead of the other for stability.
Hold the dumbbells at chest level with palms facing the body. Press the dumbbells overhead until both arms are fully extended with palms facing away.
Arms should be slightly in front of the ears with abdomen drawn in. Slowly return dumbbells to chest and repeat.
