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Local weightlifters inspire healthy revolution

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PABLO – A revolution is brewing in the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center. Local weightlifters Skip Schacher and Harold Smith have been working out together for a few years now, after Schacher picked up his first weight four years ago. In November, Schacher and Smith earned world records at the 2011 Welker Engineering World Bench Press and Dead Lift Championships in Reno, Nev., which created a lot of publicity for the pair of lifters.

The two longtime friends’ outgoing, accepting nature and willingness to help others has made a big difference with helping new friends drop the pounds and add years onto their lives.

“I’ve always been motivated, but it’s nice to get the other guys motivated, too,” Schacher said. “All of the guys are dedicated; they’ve changed their mindset so they can get here (to lift); they look forward to it.”

The group mainly consists of men 70 years of age and up, Schacher says, but lifters of any age are welcome, with some members as young as 30.

The results speak for themselves, group member Ray Buys said. Buys knew Smith from his church congregation, and began working out with the group three months ago. Since then, Buys has lost 104 pounds of excess weight, and has dropped his insulin dosage from 250 cubic centimeters a day to 40 — 16 percent of what he used to take.

Buys says the workouts are not only enjoyable but have saved his life.

“I’ve had a wonderful time with the fellowship,” he said.

The youngest member of the group is 30-year-old Ron Gullickson, who joined the group after a tumor in his brain had been in remission for three years. Gullickson’s been working out with the guys for five months to help build back his strength so he can return to the workforce.

“I’ve been trying to get my muscles back,” Gullickson said. “I’ve seen a drastic improvement; I have more endurance now, and my muscles are getting stronger.”

Gullickson said his personal high on bench press is 92.5 pounds, but Smith and Schacher are working to build up his strength instead of focusing on powerlifting.

“The group has been supportive,” he added.

Longtime friend Ted Decker joined the group last September and has lost some weight while having an enjoyable time, he says.

“Skip got me started, and I’ve had a lot of fun with these guys,” Decker said. “(And I’ve been able to) lose a little weight.”

The oldest member of the group is 81-year-old Rich Cavalar, but you wouldn’t know his age from his ability on the bench.

“At first I figured they were trying to kill me, but they’ve saved my life,” Cavalar told the Valley Journal back in November. “I’ve always eaten right, but I feel 100 percent better. I would recommend everyone to work out, at least a little.”

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Law and Order has also gathered a group of officers that meets at the gym to work out daily. Chief of Police Craige Couture says now is the time for law enforcement to promote fitness, as Flathead County Commissioner and former Sheriff Jim Dupont died March 19 of an apparent heart attack. 

Cardiac arrest has also taken a life of his own crew, Couture says, as he lost one of his officers a year ago to a heart attack.

“More fitness can prevent a heart attack or stroke,” he said. “Getting the guys over there means less time lost by injury. (Working out) has always been a good way to step into fitness.”

Lifting has also built camaraderie among the officers and with community members who use the gym.

 On March 31, Schacher, Smith and a few members of CSKT Tribal Law will compete in the WABDL Montana State Bench Press and Deadlift Championships, which is the qualifying meet for the National and World Championships. Schacher will compete in the 68-74 age group in the 148-weight class, hoping to lift 210 pounds on the bench press. Smith looks to set a record in deadlift, since the 75-79 age class doesn’t have a current record , and is expecting to lift 347 to 350 pounds on the bench. If Smith gets the record, he will hold records in the 198, 220 and 242-pound weight classes.

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