Lifting weights, medals

Alex man has won multiple competitions across the US

By Rita Kostreba

Bill Johnson of Alexandria grew up on a farm in Carpio, N.D. He threw hay bales as part of his regular farming chores. Turns out, those heavy bales were nothing compared to what he would be lifting the rest of his days. Lifting weights has been a big part of Bill’s life and, lately, has even led him to national competition and recognition.

Bill Johnson of Alexandria works out at Grand Arbor weight room several times a week.  Here he is preparing for a dead lift. Photo by Rita Kostreba

After high school, Bill earned a Bachelor of Science from Minot State.  He went on to teach middle school Earth and Life Science on the Minot Military Base and high school science at Minot High School.

In his early 20s, his brother-in-law, Gary Clock, introduced him to lifting weights. Bill enjoyed it and would lift off and on, but life, marriage, and children during his 30s and 40s, and even 50s,  had him scaling back his time in the gym.

“Come on Bill, I need a workout partner,” Gary said to him one day.

So Bill took him up on it. Gary was not just your ordinary weight lifter. He held multiple American and World records within the Natural Athlete Strength Association (NASA) organization.

“Gary was a great mentor.  He made our workouts fun.”

With more time when his children grew up, he took to lifting again. As he got stronger, Gary suggested that Bill should enter some competitions. So, in his 70s,  Bill decided it might be fun to compete.

During the competition at  the NASA Nationals, Bill does a dead lift. Contributed photo

NASA competitions consist of three parts, performed in this order:  1. Squat, which tests lower body strength, 2. Bench press, which tests upper body strength, and 3. Deadlift, which involves lifting the maximum amount of weight from the floor to a standing position.

In that first competition, which was in Minot, Bill actually placed first in his weight class and age group (age 70-79).

“ I did okay, but I was the only one in my weight class,” he said very modestly.

Bill was hooked. He then competed in Nashville, where he took third place, and Oklahoma City where he took second place. He has won many awards and set many records since then. As recently as last February, Bill competed in Oklahoma City again. He took first.

After retiring from teaching, Bill often drove the 400 miles from Minot to Alexandria to visit with his daughters and son’s families. He told himself it was crazy to drive so far, so he relocated to Alexandria.

“I love the lakes and the trees and the hills here,” he said.

His relocation did not stop his “hobby” of lifting and competing. He works out every morning he can at the Grand Arbor weight room. He says he will continue to compete.

“I try to compete against myself. I am always trying to do better than I did before.”

Bill often trains and mentors his grandson Treston Hughes, who has placed very well in several weightlifting competitions.

Bill believes everyone should try to stay in shape. His words of advice are, “No one is ‘too old.’ Just go exercise. Exercise is very, very important. Start small and  just stay with it, even if it is only two or three times a week. Everybody can do something.”

Bill Johnson placed first at Milwaukee’s Regional Championship in 2025. Contributed photo

When asked about his diet, Bill said, “I try to eat right, but if there is a bag of cookies in the house, I’m not happy until it’s gone. I try to eat a lot of protein, and I take some supplements, such as magnesium, calcium, and zinc. When I was younger I tried to lose weight to make a certain weight class. I would run and get down to the class that I wanted to be in,  but I no longer do that. I just lift at the weight I am at the time. I found that I lose strength when I try to make a certain weight, and it takes a long time to gain strength back.”

Bill also likes to talk to himself.

“I do that a lot while I’m working out. Weightlifting is mental. You must hit the right spot. Drive with your legs, keep your head up, and pull with your back,” he said. “And I can’t emphasize this enough, use a belt. It helps with your back.”

Bills personal records in these recent days are 209 pounds on bench press, 105 pounds on the curl (squat) and 292 pounds on the dead lift. Pretty impressive for anyone, much less for someone who is 75 years old.

“I did more in my younger years,” he said.

It’s been a long time since Bill was lifting bales back on the farm in Carpio. But what he learned there, and what he is still teaching, are an inspiration to anyone who meets this humble, unassuming man, who has an incredible World Class ability to lift weights.