Strength Training After Joint Replacement: Getting Strong Again at 72 with Beth Dickson

2026-07-28

Download

After two knee replacements, a hip replacement, and years of chronic pain, Beth is getting strong again at 72. A lifelong athlete, coach, and gym owner, Beth has spent decades swimming, running, competing in triathlons, playing racquetball, coaching others, and finding new ways to stay active. But aging, osteoarthritis, major surgeries, and long periods away from consistent strength training forced her to rethink what training should look like now. Beth joins Niki Sims and her son, Andrew Jackson, to talk about...

After two knee replacements, a hip replacement, and years of chronic pain, Beth is getting strong again at 72.

A lifelong athlete, coach, and gym owner, Beth has spent decades swimming, running, competing in triathlons, playing racquetball, coaching others, and finding new ways to stay active. But aging, osteoarthritis, major surgeries, and long periods away from consistent strength training forced her to rethink what training should look like now.

Beth joins Niki Sims and her son, Andrew Jackson, to talk about returning to strength training after joint replacement, rebuilding confidence under the bar, and learning to train for herself again. She shares how progressive strength training has helped her squat, deadlift, press, play pickleball, lift 50-pound bags of grain, and keep up with her grandchildren.

They also discuss how the fitness industry has changed over the past 50 years, the value of individualized coaching, training through different decades of life, and why getting stronger in your seventies can be about much more than numbers in the gym.

Beth's story is a reminder that training may change with age, injury, and surgery—but meaningful progress, strength, confidence, and capability are still worth pursuing.

PS - IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN TAKING ONLINE COACHING FOR A TEST RUN, CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Connect with the hosts