Strength Training for People My Age

PJ Media ^ | July 8, 2014 - 8:00 am | Mark Rippetoe

[Foundahardheadedwoman]

I’m 58. Granted, I’m pretty beat up these days. I’ve had my share of injuries, the result of having lived a rather careless active life outdoors, on horses, motorcycles, bicycles, and the field of competition. People my age who have not spent their years in a chair have an accumulation of aches and pains, most of them earned the hard way. And for us, beat up or not, the best way to stay in the game is to train for strength.

The conventional wisdom is that older people (ah, the term sticks in the craw) need to settle into a routine of walking around in the park when the weather is nice, maybe going to the mall for a brisk stroll in the comfort of the air conditioning, or a nice afternoon on the bicycle, checking out the local retirement communities — at a leisurely pace, of course. For the more adventurous, a round of golf really stretches out the legs. Maybe finish up with a challenging game of Canasta. Your doctor will tell you that this is enough to keep the old ticker ticking away, and should you choose to rev the engine like this every day, you’re doing everything you need to do to maintain the fantastic quality of life enjoyed by old people at the mall.

[Foundahardheadedwoman]

Building your body for what is most likely coming. Your doctor is an idiot.

[RedhairRedhair]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEgOJnvO5sU

Please watch

[Tupelo]

Amen to that. To hell with that “preparing to grow old” crap.
One of my oldest and dearest friends is currently on a motorcycle trip from the Gulf Coast to Alaska. Then back through the northwest and across the Rockies then home. Charles is 76. Anyone think he should be “preparing to grow old”?
Not me. I am only 72 and would be with him if I could have afforded it and Momma did not want to summer in Colorado this year.
Screw that crap, I am going to slid into that grave worn completly out.

[TheThirdRuffian]

The doctor is an idiot, indeed.

I do heavy (as in over 500lbs deadlifts, 400+ bench, 450ish deep squats) several times a week.

Lots of kettle ball work, Turkish get ups, pullups, etc.

Sprints and walking, no jogging.

I am 50 and look like I am in my 20s, less the grey hair.

[Awgie]

I am age 65 and a Physical therapist. I have developed a “Therapeutic Fitness” routine using something I call a “Mobility Bar.”

I do 20 “Fundamental Mobility” exercises, each day, in only 10 minutes.

I have zero aches or pains and my fitness level is actually improving.

Every Saturday my best friend and I go to St Pete Beach. This time of year it is very HOT! But we run, jump, throw and catch frisbee for 60-90 minutes.

Not bad for two “older guys.”

We need a radical re-thinking about Physical Fitness, both in terms fo what it is and how to get it.

I would be happy to consult with my fellow “Freepers” through email or phone regarding their desire to maintain their physical mobility.

Check out my YouTube video at the beach from a few years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcH4syMEiW4

[bankwalker]

My doctor recommended a book called Convict Conditioning which uses a few body weight exercises. When I use it, the results are awesome, but I need more consistency.

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

I went to the ER recently for an strange pain in my low back. My blood glucose we 430!

I immediately hired a personal trainer. What I found out is that I had been trying to work out with the same routines that I used when I was 18. Every time I started to work out, I'd injure myself.

My trainer started me off slow and re-wrote my diet. I've been at it for six weeks now. My BG is down to 130ish, my BP is lower that it has ever been and I'm dropping 1.5-2 pounds per week.

[Chickensoup]

BTTT

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Second for Convict Conditioning!

I enjoy it, doesn’t take lots of time, I always have a plan and the results are impressive.

[Delta Dawn]

430?

You were fortunate...I stroked out at about 320. Gave up the rice krispie treats and have been fine since...

[jonathonandjennifer]

I’m sixty-five and just finished running two miles.

[bankwalker]

Second for Convict Conditioning!

What do you use for the early stage, non-vertical, pullups?

[aMorePerfectUnion]

I bought an adjustable (and portable) pull-up bar. I have it set low.

[wally_bert]

I will try to remember to touch base with you later. I’ve got your video in my history list.

[jjsheridan5]

When Mark Rippetoe speaks, it is a good idea to drop everything and listen. He may not be spouting some cutting edge theory or flashy new program, but his ideas are often what people need to hear, as opposed to what they want to hear.

My favorite article of his:

Who Wants to Be a Novice? You Do.

Telling a bunch of dedicated gym rats that most of them are really beginners, not advanced, and that they need to train accordingly, is a perfect example of his no-nonsense approach to health and fitness.

[Rich21IE]

ping

[krunkygirl]

Seen it before-—love that video-—remarkable
turn-a-round.

[Night Hides Not]

I’m sixty-five and just finished running two miles.

Congrats! I stopped running when I left the Army...I hate running. I need to get back to my exercise regimen of walking 5-9 miles, 3-4 times per week, and 50 pushups a day.

Also need to get back to my "beans and greens diet" (Joel Fuhrman - Eat to Live), now that I'm back from vacation.

Two months ago, I celebrated my 60th birthday with a 15 mile walk along the Trinity River (Campion Trail, Irving).

This "planning to grow old" is horse$hit. I've got a 12 YO son and 4 YO grandson to keep up with.

[KSCITYBOY]

btt

[Awgie]

One of the Key's to long term Functional Mobility is practicing “Floor Mobility.”

The inability to move around on the floor, as well as hold specific positions on the floor, translates to poor quality upright mobility.

Exercising in the stance position or the seated position will not deliver the results you gain from floor activities.