When most people reach old age, they’re happy to rest up and enjoy not having to rush out to work and run around after their kids.

Not Donegal-man Hugh Gallagher.

Celebrating his 91st birthday yesterday, fitness fanatic Hugh has a regime that any personal trainer would be proud of. Rising at 8am every morning, he starts of his rigorous three-hour regime that includes 200 push ups and 200 sit ups every day. That’s more than I’ve done in my whole life!

The training doesn't stop there, however. "I've also an exercise bike in the house which I would use regularly," Gallagher tells the Irish Independent.

91yrs young & still an athlete. Meet Hugh Gallagher training for World Masters Games in France pic.twitter.com/dMBIR3ToWR

— Gareth Wilkinson (@Gwilkinson_utv) July 30, 2015

"I also love lifting weights; I lift five kilos 200 times a day."

The retired laborer and father of twelve isn’t putting in all this hard work to no end either. The pensioner is a highly successful track and field competitor holding over 150 gold All Ireland track and field medals and continues to compete despite being in his 90s in order to stay "healthy and strong".

Just last week, he brought home gold in the over-90's Long Jump event (that means there must be more than one of him!) at the GloHealth National Master Track and Field Championships in Tullamore, Co Offaly and this week he will jet off to Lyon in France to compete in the World Masters Athletics Championships where he will take part in the discus, javelin and hammer events.

Hugh Gallagher to be honoured at civic reception on Tuesday http://t.co/qP6Y8ig1i3 pic.twitter.com/Bbqg8zYCE0

— DonegalCountyCouncil (@donegalcouncil) May 29, 2015

His achievements are even more remarkable when you take into consideration that in the 1970s a major accident befell the athlete after which he had to relearn how to walk. 

“It was mighty tough, mighty mighty tough," he told UTV Ireland.

 “It was determination and dedication and willpower that got me back to where I was."

What’s the secret to his success? "I never drink or smoke,” he advises, “nobody should if they want to live a healthy, long life."

And his chances in France next week? “I'm confident I'll give them a good fight for the medals, I always have done,” he adds.

We’ll start our new healthy lifestyle tomorrow.

H/T: Independent.ie