By Dayne Hudson
Excuses.
They come in all sorts of phrases, justifications and idelogies.
But not for an Australian government worker called Murray Mackay.
Murray insists on hobbling into the gym to train on crutches, despite a recent hip replacement resulting from osteoarthritis in the his left hip.
It's tough, and it's not easy. But with the motivation and help of gym members he doesn't even know, who don't bat an eye lid in helping Murray get the dumbbells up to begin his set - anything is possible.
It's gym comradery at it's best.
I watched on, amazed, as 47-year-old Murray Mackay took deep breaths, braving out each set, and took some 2 minutes to walk from the free weights area to the exercise bike. And it was only about 40 metres. But it didn't matter.
Murray was there to train - regardless of what tried to stand in his way.
And if he doesn't make these difficult trips to the gym?
"I'd be depressed" he admits.
"I'm having bad days as it is not being able to train 100%, but it makes me happy just getting up here and doing something."
"I started just prior to 2 weeks after the operation, I came to just get the movement going. As I come to the 6 week period, I'll work my way back to full weights."
Murray Mackay has been training for 24 years, and competed in two bodybuilding competitions in his late twenties.
So what's the next step for Murray Mackay?
"I've been thinking of doing a masters (bodybuilding competition)" Murray reveals.
Of course he is.
Most would relax, give up, and believe their best days are behind them.
But not Murray Mackay.
I'd hate to be his competition.
It'll take a lot more than a hip replacement to stop a man who never uses such threatning injuries as a crutch.
MORE: Check out MURRAY'S YOUTUBE channel detailing his hip replacement journey HERE.
