Lifting heavy at 64
I am 64 years old. I am in good health, benched 475 and squatted 700… 30 years ago. I haven’t lifted in 10 years and now I am training hard — heavy now isn’t heavy like before but the weights I am using are substantial. What do you think of old guys lifting heavy? My doctor freaked out when I told him what I was doing. I think I know what I am doing but everyone around me is very positive I am doing the wrong thing.
We’re all different — aging rate, chemistry, needs and desires, capabilities and liabilities — and must modify our training accordingly. At 64 I wondered when the other shoe was going to drop. A couple of days later it did (bypass this, stenosis that, lamenectomy here, radiation there). I went from intense workouts five days a week to two tough bouts a week with whatever strength and energy I can muster. Thank you, Lord!
Looking back and looking ahead, my advice is be sensible and intuitive, smart and grateful. Three or four days a week is just right, but hitting each muscle group directly twice a week is too much. Not enough repair time… pain and injury-bound.
Extend your quality training life by doing enough but never too much. Aging joints and tissues and organs need coaxing, not abuse. Be realistic: where ya gonna go at 64? You’re there: shape up… strive to maintain sound health and robust, vibrant injury-free muscle.
Aging isn’t necessarily subtle. It’s quick and we need to stay a step ahead of it by applying training finesse, exerting adaptable muscle-intensity and heaving a lot less heavy weight than we used to or would like to.
I’m not aiming to disarm you. I’m encouraging you to rally and conserve your forces. Time will underscore this as you press on. Be aware, that’s all.
Godspeed… Never quit… Dave
Posted on July 12th, 2011 in Aging Well by admin