Anyone in late 40's? How is your workout different?

[Old_Dog]

I am in late forties and I started working out just more than a year ago.
I was just wondering how my workout should be different from younger guys.
Lower weights? Fewers sets? Either more or less repetitions pet set? More recovery time?
Any input would be highly appreciated.

 

[Jim Ouini]

I'm in my early 40's so I guess I qualify

My training isn't all the different per se than what I did in my earlier years - I mean the approach is different but I'm not doing less reps, resting more, lighter weight or anything of that nature just because I'm older. If anything I train harder now than I ever have and in a week or so about to embark on one of the more difficult programs that I've read about.

I'm a lot smarter than I was before - but I could've acquired that knowledge in my teens if only the internet was invented back then

I do get an occasional ache and pain that takes longer to go away and to be honest I need to learn to listen to my body and back off when necessary. I also stretch a lot more than I used to prior to my workout and want to be more diligent about stretching afterwards.

Anyway, I'm not sure what your training's been like since you've started lifting, but I guess my point is there's no reason you can't train like anybody else - learning the big lifts and trying to get better and better at them.

 

[BiggT]

Well, I am only 26, but I will say this.....it totally depends on the individual. I have seen 40-some year old men and women train very hard and very impressively, while plenty of 18 year old guys train like pussies (I don't mean to be offensive, but it's the only fitting word).

As one ages and natural testosterone levels decrease (assuming one doesn't use steroids), then the major difference between yourself at 40 and yourself at 25 is recovery abilities. The other major difference that may or may not be a factor is accumulated injuries over the years, joint issues, etc. Once you figure out a good routine that allows proper recovery and once you figure out how to work around injuries (if you have any), then there really isn't anything special.

I'd recommend the same for a 40-50-60 year old as I would a 20 year old. Focus on progressive resistance on compound lifts with a little more attention to recovery and any injuries/aches/pains. With age, power is the last thing to go.....recovery abilities decrease, athletic attributes such as speed of movement, explosion, etc decrease.....but there is no reason you can't gain plenty of strength and grow plenty of muscle well into middle age.

What are your personal goals? Workout history? Height/Weight?

 

[BiggT]

I'm in my early 40's so I guess I qualify

My training isn't all the different per se than what I did in my earlier years - I mean the approach is different but I'm not doing less reps, resting more, lighter weight or anything of that nature just because I'm older. If anything I train harder now than I ever have and in a week or so about to embark on one of the more difficult programs that I've read about.

I'm a lot smarter than I was before - but I could've acquired that knowledge in my teens if only the internet was invented back then

I do get an occasional ache and pain that takes longer to go away and to be honest I need to learn to listen to my body and back off when necessary. I also stretch a lot more than I used to prior to my workout and want to be more diligent about stretching afterwards.

Anyway, I'm not sure what your training's been like since you've started lifting, but I guess my point is there's no reason you can't train like anybody else - learning the big lifts and trying to get better and better at them.

Excellent advice.

 

[Jim Ouini]

How'd you get so damn smart at so young an age? I think Animal Mass is your age too.

 

[BiggT]

How'd you get so damn smart at so young an age? I think Animal Mass is your age too.

LOL, I've got a ways to go.....thanks for the compliment.

 

[blut wump]

I'm 48 and agree fully with BiggT and Jim Ouini on this. I do two or three warm-up sets these days whereas before I used to dive straight in with worksets and worry later about any consequences.

Being aware that aches and pains take longer to go away makes me take a little more care to avoid them so I do a few warmup sets and finish with some stretches. Aside from that nothing has really changed training-wise except that I know more now and I'm stronger than I've ever been.

 

[musketeer]

Those must be dog years blut (otherwise you're nearly twice my age!)

Anyhow, just ask Mr Coleman how he's doing pushing 44!

 

[blut wump]

Thanks, I think. I was sprogged back in '57 but you probably wouldn't believe I was 48 if you met me either so it's all good. Mentally, I decided years ago that maturity wasn't for me.