For those of you who are above 30, how has working out changed for you?

[Noproblem]

well, this is depressing!

[thefooloftheyear]

Why not? You are training to better yourself. Not making progress is wasting time at best and regressing at worst. Those people lifting a crap load of weight didn't start lifting a crap load of weight. If anything (training) age has everything to do with lifting more.

 

 

Early 30's now but will be sorely dissappointed if I don't lift a significant amount more in the next 2 decades or so...[/QUOTE]

 

I used to, and kinda do still believe this...I mean, I am approaching 50 and am as strong as I have ever been(425+ lb bench 600+ lb squat) and I am a rock...Like a 220 lb piece of iron..

 

But here is where its starting to get me....

 

In the last few years, I have had a host of injuries...Some small and some pretty big..Cranky back, minor pec tear, bicep tendon issue..etc.. I have faithfully trudged on, as my pride and stubbornness wont let me pull back..The frustrating thing is that my muscle strength is there..None of these injuries were a result of bad form or anything...Just about in every case, they happened randomly and with manageable weight..

 

But now after the second rotator cuff tear in two years, , I have decided that its just not worth it...I have nothing more to prove and I certainly dont need to be any bigger(Im only 5'6")...Im going to stay with weight training, but instead focus more on compound movements with a more directed approach..Im actually pretty excited to see how I respond to this new way...I just need to overcome the mental hurdle..

 

Its like another poster stated..A guy like, say, Derek Jeter or Jerry Rice, World Class professionals at the top of their game, who did virtually nothing else but make sure they had the best of everything, in terms of training, diet, rehab, supplements, etc, couldnt do it past 40, what makes me think I can?

 

Unfortunately its gonna get us all eventually...

 

TFY

Edited January 6, 2015 by thefooloftheyear

[Emilia]

I didn't mean to not continue working towards these goals if you're older, I meant I don't think it's realistic to START working towards them if you're older. Who would suddenly decide at age 40 that they want to be a powerlifter when it's already too late at that point?

I don't understand why it's too late? Too late for what? To win competitions?

[Andy_K]

I'm 31. I've been working out since I was 17, although for most of that time I was simply looking to maintain my physique and fitness. The last couple of years I've started to really drive for improvements. Today I set my personal best for pullups (20), and in the summer I plan to do the same for my 5k.

 

So far I've avoided any significant exercise-related injuries, although I did suffer from some tendon-related RSI last year which impacted my workouts. The important thing is that if it hurts when it shouldn't, REST IT before you make it worse.

[dichotomy]

 

I used to, and kinda do still believe this...I mean, I am approaching 50 and am as strong as I have ever been(425+ lb bench 600+ lb squat) and I am a rock...Like a 220 lb piece of iron..

 

But here is where its starting to get me....

 

In the last few years, I have had a host of injuries...Some small and some pretty big..Cranky back, minor pec tear, bicep tendon issue..etc.. I have faithfully trudged on, as my pride and stubbornness wont let me pull back..The frustrating thing is that my muscle strength is there..None of these injuries were a result of bad form or anything...Just about in every case, they happened randomly and with manageable weight..

 

 

Unfortunately its gonna get us all eventually...

 

 

 

Impressive!

 

While no where near you strength (325 bench max) - I understand the random injuries and sprains coming in. It does get to us eventually at these ages.... then again age did not stop me from starting MMA classes last year.

[thefooloftheyear]

Impressive!

 

While no where near you strength (325 bench max) - I understand the random injuries and sprains coming in. It does get to us eventually at these ages.... then again age did not stop me from starting MMA classes last year.

 

Thanks...

 

Ive always been very strong...Its sometimes a blessing to be short and compact...even if women dont find it to be all that hot...

 

But these injuries are really getting me down..I have resiliency, but it took over a year to recover from the first rotator cuff tear...Now its as if I climbed a mountain almost made it to the peak, and fell down to ground zero...And a rotator cuff is a painful motherfcker...Cant even sleep with this thing....Its brutal..I dont think I have another one of these rehabs in me..

 

So its gonna be a modified training regimen...Less poundage and serious thought to injury prevention...If it means I lose some muscle mass....so be it...I can stand to lose some and still be pretty impressive..

 

So take it from me...I was stubborn and didnt listen to a friend who told me I was nuts to get under that kind of weight at this age even though I could do it.....I thought if I can handle it, then whats the big deal...??

 

He was right and I was wrong...

 

TFY

[Ruby Slippers]

I've been pretty active all my life. It could be that my body is growing less resilient with time, but it doesn't feel like that.

 

With age and experience, I've learned much better how to eat and work out to keep my body healthy and feeling good. When I was younger, I had a more self-punishing attitude about fitness. For example, I would sometimes exercise through pain, such as inflamed knees during running, thinking "no pain no gain". It didn't hurt while I was exercising with my endorphins pumping, only later in recovery. So I was in good shape, but constantly plagued with aches and mild to moderate injuries. I just learned to live with that as part of being active and sporty.

 

By now I've studied and adapted to more efficient, safe methods of staying fit. In addition to cardio and strength workouts, I do yoga and stretching regularly to keep myself limber and identify any weak spots that need strengthening. I take a modest regimen of supplements (multi, vitamin D, vitamin C, probiotics, and fish oil are my staples), try to respond to any threat of illness through dietary changes, and hardly ever get sick.

 

I've known women and men in their 60s and 70s who are in excellent condition, totally fit and toned. These people have simply made a healthy diet and exercise routine part of their life and maintained it.

 

I think the big mistake a lot of people make is giving in to being "old" once they hit 40, 50, 60, or whatever magic number means old to them. If you're young at heart, eat well, and stay active, you don't have to experience such a dramatic physical decline.

[Under The Radar]

Thanks...

 

Ive always been very strong...Its sometimes a blessing to be short and compact...even if women dont find it to be all that hot...

 

But these injuries are really getting me down..I have resiliency, but it took over a year to recover from the first rotator cuff tear...Now its as if I climbed a mountain almost made it to the peak, and fell down to ground zero...And a rotator cuff is a painful motherfcker...Cant even sleep with this thing....Its brutal..I dont think I have another one of these rehabs in me..

 

So its gonna be a modified training regimen...Less poundage and serious thought to injury prevention...If it means I lose some muscle mass....so be it...I can stand to lose some and still be pretty impressive..

 

So take it from me...I was stubborn and didnt listen to a friend who told me I was nuts to get under that kind of weight at this age even though I could do it.....I thought if I can handle it, then whats the big deal...??

 

He was right and I was wrong...

 

TFY

 

Sorry about your injury and the subsequent pain.

 

Every injury I have ever had forced me to learn and become better.

 

You're resilient, intelligent, and passionate about training ...... Three keys to keep one involved in physical culture for life.

 

I have no doubt you'll be wiser and stronger from this experience in the future.

 

I know how depressing these injuries can be ...... It's as much a test of mental strength as is pressing a heavy barbell.

 

Hang in there and continue to fight the good fight.

[robaday]

For those of you who are above 30, how has working out changed for you?

 

Well I work out now:) never did in my twenties although played soccer as a teenager. Partying got to me for my later teens all the way through to thirty!! I smoked, drank and took drugs, and then with my bank balance empty and terrible health I proceeded to get into fitness as an alternative to going out all the time.

 

I'm not sure how I would compare to a fit version of me in my twenties as I was never fit back then!! but I'm definitely fitter than I've ever been and get through boxing training pretty easy now (although took me a long time to get used to its intensity). Perhaps....and I might be wrong, the fact I'm conscious of age creeping up on me and getting older has made me throw myself into new sports in a way I never would have when I was younger.....cause I know if I dont do them now I never will!!

[HazyCosmicJive]

Why not? You are training to better yourself. Not making progress is wasting time at best and regressing at worst. Those people lifting a crap load of weight didn't start lifting a crap load of weight. If anything (training) age has everything to do with lifting more.

 

 

Early 30's now but will be sorely dissappointed if I don't lift a significant amount more in the next 2 decades or so...

 

 

I was making a point about two very specific competitive activities. Powerlifting and bodybuilding aren't just "lifting weights to get stronger" - they are highly competitive sports that require years of training and a perfect diet. At age 40 you will be way over the hill for starting out in either. I made it clear in an earlier post that I am in my 40s and am in the best shape of my life, so I certainly didn't mean to imply that there's no point in starting to lift at a certain age. I think you're never too old to get into better shape, but deluding yourself into thinking that you are going to be a serious powerlifter starting at 40 years old is just sad.

Edited January 9, 2015 by HazyCosmicJive

[ComingInHot]

Is it harder to lift the same amount as before? Have you had to lessen to amount of workouts you do every week? How has it changed?

 

 

I need to workout/be physical More than when I was younger in order to stay in shape. I caved due to the junk weather here this winter (not enough snow) and joined a gym again. I had forgotten how much fun the gym can be btw* but have noticed that I get sore muscles. It's either because of the different type of workout or... because I'm old now.

Either way, I'd rather put in the extra time it takes for me to stay healthy in order for a Better quality of life right Nu & down the road.

CiH*

[HazyCosmicJive]

I need to workout/be physical More than when I was younger in order to stay in shape. I caved due to the junk weather here this winter (not enough snow) and joined a gym again. I had forgotten how much fun the gym can be btw* but have noticed that I get sore muscles. It's either because of the different type of workout or... because I'm old now.

Either way, I'd rather put in the extra time it takes for me to stay healthy in order for a Better quality of life right Nu & down the road.

CiH*

 

 

You're sore because you haven't worked out in a while. Even if you work out a lot, if you change your routine you will likely be sore. I'm in my mid-40s and workout pretty hard but I don't get very sore anymore because my body is adapted to it.

[JDPT]

The day I turned 30 a lot changed for me. I feel as if I no longer have the strength or stamina to exert as I used to. I'm mostly concerned about not injuring myself as state previously.

[HazyCosmicJive]

The day I turned 30 a lot changed for me. I feel as if I no longer have the strength or stamina to exert as I used to. I'm mostly concerned about not injuring myself as state previously.

 

Forget about how old you are, that's only in your head.

[JDPT]

Forget about how old you are, that's only in your head.

 

I'll give it a shot. But the body really does kill if I try to push it to the limit as I used to in my "younger" years.

[WasOtherWoman]

Slowing down when over 30? That's just funny.

 

I started cross fitting when I was 48. Stronger and in better shape than when in my 20's.

 

 

Thirties... pshaw

[Moy]

I'm 41 in March and I'm in the best shape of my life and I'm the strongest I've ever been. I can run 10k in 50 minutes and I have visible abs, I didn't even have abs in my 20s!

 

It has given me a sense of confidence that I otherwise wouldn't have if I'd have stayed settled into the overweight sitcom dad lifestyle that I was previously stuck in. I just schedule my rest days more strategically and make sure that I train pull the day after push, so I'm not doing push/push or pull/pull exercises two days in a row.

 

And I actually listen to my body now and leave my ego at the door. Nobody's a 'bro' in their 40s!

 

And as for starting late: My Transformation Story | Rachel Turner Figure Competitor & Fitness Model, Bodybuilder

Edited February 3, 2015 by Moy

[John83]

31 now and am physically stronger now than ever was, never had a serious injury but am very strict regarding form. I find it worse when you Stop lifting weights, after a few weeks start to feel crippled with aches and pains.

[Priv]

31 now and am physically stronger now than ever was, never had a serious injury but am very strict regarding form. I find it worse when you Stop lifting weights, after a few weeks start to feel crippled with aches and pains.

 

I just get cranky (read: murderous rage )

[Ninjainpajamas]

My workout has changed in the way that I go for lower reps than I do for bigger/heavier weights.

 

When I was younger I was more into power-lifting, now I'm just trying to lift a moderate-heavy amount of weight (which is still quite heavy relatively speaking) but focusing more on technique/form with more emphasis on variety and trying new things to perform an exercise.

 

I would've been completely disinterested in anything called "cross-fit" in my younger years, I don't like fad work-outs and new and retarded sounding things that are supposed to get people "excited" to get in the gym, I'm a motivated enough person on my own...but I'm more open these days to a whole body workouts than I am to just focusing on main muscle groups...I really want to focus on the core as that's something I've always overlooked. So I would be open to trying some kind of class or something like that.

 

Other than that trying to workout safely and avoid any major injuries, especially with the ligaments. I've had many injuries at this point in my life from playing sports mostly or doing other unorthodox things, so nowadays I tend to look more towards self-preservation into an older age rather than to push myself and take chances that might result in significant injuries...unfortunately due to some injuries, it just wouldn't be smart to roll the dice on certain things.

 

As far as getting old...I'm 34, my workout partner is 20 and he usually runs out of energy on our last workout and always asks me "where do you get all this energy?". I have to push him to keep going most of the time and sometimes he doesn't go full out or try as hard as he could, but he's not really lazy more than he is just young and just gets kind of bored and runs out of energy, then he starts cheating on the sets or half-assing them. He's very similar body-type as I was at his age, very strong for his body-weight and pretty fit, so we have a lot in common, just about a 14 year difference in age.

 

Otherwise my diet has changed dramatically. I used to just do spot dieting, or trying to "cut-back" here and there like most people do, but not really eat healthy and eat my veggies and balance my diet out. But now after a lot of effort and discipline, I have a much more balanced and healthy diet...it's not perfect by any means but health is a top priority for me, which in my 20's was just kind of something I lazily put effort into.

[Diezel]

I have become much more mindful of my knees and my back. These are the two essentials in my lifting and my running.

 

So in order to account for that, I started paying a LOT more attention to one of the most important aspects of exercising: form.

 

I had my form looked at, perfected, and the impact on my joints has been much less harsh than it used to be. It's helped with my recovery time too.

[KatZee]

This thread is so depressing. Just a reminder that we're all getting old and turning crippled.

 

I was a gymnast for 20+ years. I was flipping, flying, landing on my head, took a crotch shot to the beam, twisted, pulled, ripped skin off my hands, the injuries were endless, but I just bounced back every time with no serious injury to be had.

 

I took a few year hiatus and not too long ago decided to start up gymnastics again, just for fun. They have a an adult tumbling class in my city and I bought a package.

 

Well, even though years had passed, my muscle memory was still there. I ran right to the mat and pulled off a round-off followed by two back handsprings and felt like I was queen of the world.

 

Until the next day.

 

Both of my wrists were completely shot. My knees were shot. My ankles were shot. I looked like such a cripple. Wrist supports, ankle supports, and knee braces from that point forward. I rode out that package but my poor bones. They didn't like me much after that.

[shop]

i 44 two years my doctor told me lose the weight around your tummy or you get diabetes or stroke .i listened to him cut out carbs and sugar lost 21 kilos .now i go to gym twice a week dance and walk to work never been so fit in my life .now my skin looks better people think i younger for a woman thats wonderful news lol wish i started this years ago so never tooo old to start now i cam wear a bikini lost it everywhere so to me best decision i ever made smiles

[SycamoreCircle]

38. I've been working out religiously since 17.

 

-Must do cardio every workout. Usually 10-15 mins treadmill.

 

-Go easy on squats. Easy to hurt myself on this exercise. I keep it light and deep(full range of motion).

 

-Notice a maturity in the muscle. If I'm going to get bigger or develop the muscle further, it takes a serious, sustained and concentrated effort.

 

-Always have optimal workouts early in the morning. Evening workouts are barely worth the effort.

[Snaggletooth]

Is it harder to lift the same amount as before? Have you had to lessen to amount of workouts you do every week? How has it changed?

 

In my forties and as strong/powerful as I ever was, maybe more so. What I lack is the agility, balance and speed I used to have. I also find I'm less prone to injury now I am older. Fifteen years of high end amateur sports. Twenty seven years as a bricklayer/stonemason. My body is seriously conditioned and hardened to what is has to do. It just does it slower and it with flat feet rather than up on its toes and a spring in it's step. If I got back in the ring I could still easily knock people out, would lack the speed to catch anyone good, though. Similar with working out, I can do all I used to in terms of strength, just slower and more measured.

 

Biggest difference is motivation. Older I get the more I would rather spend spare time with those I care about than busting my balls in the gym.