Buddy aged 40 wants to start BB

[H-isBack]

A work mate has just turned 40 and is going through a midlife crisis and he wants to start BB, he has lifted before when he was in his late 20s, but 40 i dont know if he will get anywhere since most of the bodies growth hormones are on a decline, he says that hes open to suggestions meaning that he will try AAS after maybe a year or 2, hes no slouch and plays squash, runs and does a lot of cycling, generally pretty good shape, but BB and juicing are a completely different matter, anyone any advice to offer, thanks.

H

 

[BoS*FLANKER]

appox weight height, is he slightly overweight or slightly thin or what?

 

[riverrock]

If he's in good shape, he should consider doing 1 year of natural training to get his Body used to weights. Then, maybe then consider juicing. 40 is not too old at all. Just remind him to be realistic and judge his progress against where he started from as opposed to comparing himself to Ronnie Coleman. 40 isn't too old at all. Use that year of natural training to read up on diet, exercise, rest, everything. He'll do fine.

My uncle is in his later 50's and he's one strong bastard. He's a farmer, so you could say he's been training all his life just by his occupation. He'd put most guys in our gym to shame, I'm serious.

 

[satchboogie]

i guess its never TOO late..
but he's look at some hard time.

 

[Ulter]

If he's already athletic it's not going to be hard for him at all. The only difference between him and you training will be the extra time he should put into warming up so he doesn't pull something or develop joint problems. But that's really not a big deal. I agree he should train a year and then use AS in his situation.

 

[H-isBack]

Thanks Guys I appreciate your input just another bit of info, hes about 5ft 7" and about 170lbs, he is carrying a bit of flab round the middle, but hes quite fit and can easily trash me at squash.

H

 

[Triple J]

The main caution as Ulter pointed out is his joints. My suggestions apply to any age but is especially important to older bros or anybody that has let themselves get very out of condition.

Pay great attention to the deep muscles, the core stabilizer groups (that support the joints) before progressing into heavy compound movements. Most older bros stabilizers lag, due to inattention or lack of athletic involvement, and if they pound the heavy movements, or jump into heavy movements too quick, this can lead to injury. Areas around the midsection, hips, and shoulders are particularly important. So rotator cuff, deep thigh and glute routines, ab work and lower back conditioning. When everything is locked in solid then you can proceed to the compound movements with confidence.

Now if one has very good natural form on the compound movements they can proceed into them faster. But if he is taller like me, or lacks good natural squatting technique, he may have some intrinsic instability which would require extra attention to this area. And as I already said, athletic instability due to loss of conditioning in the deep stabilizer muscles, tends to increase with age.

I hope that makes sense. I see some older (and younger, too) guys come into the gym trying to get started and they tend to want to progress into certain areas before they have laid the right foundation. Occasionally you see the genetic gifted athletic type that has natural structural stability and they can proceed very rapidly. But most older bros, in addition to taking time to warm-up, need to focus their core routines on redeveloping that foundation.

 

[H_T_]

good for him.

 

[H-isBack]

when some people have nothing to say they should say NOTHING

 

[wutangnomo]

Doesn't matter how old someone is, bodybuilding is for people of all ages. As long as he is realistic with his goal, then I say good for him. His diet will have to be completely dialed in 24/7 because at that age it's not as easy to get away with poor eating habits. As for aas, he has the right idea by training naturally for a year or two first. Good luck to him.