Despite Age, He Enjoys Heavy Metal : Weightlifting: Byron Wallien, who did not begin training until he was 56, has set several American age and division records.

Byron Wallien needed a lift.

For months, whenever he looked at barbells, he saw opportunity. Dumbbells were downright inspirational. The very thought of pumping iron pumped him up.

But in October, a month before he was to participate in a regional power-lifting competition, Wallien walked into the conditioning room at the Claremont Club, stared down at the bench press and asked himself, “Why?”

Why was he, a 66-year-old, slightly built man who had open-heart surgery five years earlier, about to subject himself to another grueling session of heavy metal?

“Byron was struggling with his motivation, so we had to sit down and talk about how we could make this a goal he really wanted to achieve,” said Sean Foy, Wallien’s trainer. “Ultimately, it came down to Byron wanting to help others. To say, ‘Hey, people who have been through what I have been through can still do things like this.’ ”

The idea of lifting weights to lift the spirits of others rejuvenated Wallien.

In November, he set 11 American age and weight-division records at a regional championship in Lancaster sponsored by the Natural Athletes Strength Assn., a power-lifting organization dedicated to drug-free training and competition.

The 5-foot-8, 132-pound Wallien executed a series of lifts that included 193 pounds in the squat, 132 pounds in the bench-press and 270 pounds in the dead-lift for a total of 595 pounds.

The performance qualified him for the N.A.S.A. national championships that will be held in March in Oklahoma City.

“After I had open-heart surgery, I kept meeting people who had been through the same procedure,” said Wallien, who also enjoys golf, tennis and skiing. “They had sat down and they were never going to get up again. They became invalids and there was no reason for it.

“I tell people, ‘You don’t have to be a power lifter, but everyone can do something.’ ”

Wallien, a retired carpet manufacturing executive who lives in Upland, did not begin training with weights until he was 56. And he did so only to prove a point.

In 1981, Wallien, his wife and son watched a telecast of the Senior Olympics weight lifting competition.

“I told my wife and son, ‘Hell, I can do that,’ ” Wallien said. “They looked at me and said, ‘Oh yeah?’ ”

The challenge had been issued.

Wallien began training with supervision at a local gym and entered the 1982 Senior Olympics in Buena Park. After winning the age 55-59, 148-pound division, he returned home, told his family, “I told you so,” and retired his leather weight lifting belt.

Four years later, Wallien collapsed while playing tennis. He thought the pain in his chest has been caused by indigestion. Tests revealed a blockage of the heart’s main artery.

Following surgery in September, 1986, he was directed to a rehabilitation facility to begin the road to recovery.

“I was motivated by the fear exhibited by people walking on the treadmill and riding the stationary bike,” Wallien said. “I never wanted to be afraid. That probably pushed me more to get on with my life.”

Wallien returned to work and gradually resumed his participation in tennis, golf and community activities.

About seven months ago, he heard two friends, both in their 30s, discussing a power lifting competition they were thinking of entering.

“I’m a power lifter,” Wallien recalled saying.

A few weeks later, buoyed by his friends’ support, he was back in the gym training.

“I suppose I could have won the thing just by being as old as I am and breathing in and out,” said Wallien, who will celebrate his 67th birthday Sunday.

Instead, Wallien established records for 132-pound competitors in the Masters II (49 and over) division. He also executed an exhibition dead-lift of 276 pounds.

Wallien is hoping that word of his accomplishments will help motivate others, especially those recovering from heart surgery, to take up a conditioning program.

“Most people over 45 know they should be doing something, whether it’s walking, running, swimming, tennis, weightlifting or whatever “ Wallien said. “The key is getting involved at a place and with people who are interested in you.”

For me, the gym has been a good vehicle for staying involved and helping others.

“Life is good, and I’m enjoying it.”