The  heavy bench press and incline are eventual major troublemakers for long-term lifter. The rigid bar prevents proper joint-action freedom, or tracking. Dumbbells allow natural grooving and are better builders of muscle and might — more individual muscle-control and more strength required to stabilize the dumbbells.

Focused action, as we age, becomes more valuable than heaviness of weight. We want to endure and have fun.

Practice of wisdom takes courage. We press on, by God… D

Fifty years ago… I was 20, smooth, 230, 19″ arms, and a Harley Davidson FLH roared at the twist of my wrist. I parked it on gravel behind a chain link fence at the Elizabeth Y and cruised into the 2×4 weight room to become familiar with my very first Olympic bar.

Today, I just returned from the Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz after the replacement of an old and depleted pacemaker — in at 7, out by noon. Yes!

God loves us… Dave

For me, these are not always full meals (two or three meals are good), but more substantial than you suggest– more like four ounces of cottage cheese and a 3.5 ounce can of tuna or cottage cheese with fruit and nuts, a glass of milk with a scoop of protein  or four ounces of chicken, some raw vegetables — cherry tomatoes and leaf spinach and small protein shake, or maybe a hamburger patty and cottage cheese, raw veg and milk.

You’re seeking musclebuilding protein, quality fats and nutritious carb foods for energy and bulk.

See ya… DD

We’re all different, no big news there. Body chemistry, motivations, lifestyles…

It’s hard work to keep the body going strong… I succumbed to a variety of physical failings in my mid-60s (heart complications, dismal bypass, lamenectomy, neuropathy, cancer and company). Until then I was a brute.

45 to 64 were some of my best and favorite training years. Do not fret. Be hopeful and sensible.

Some people wisely cut back on their training with age and are content with staying healthy and in condition. Some jam, some let go, some blow it.

Who knows when the hammer will drop, how heavily, or not.

dave

Reg was a man to be respected, admired and loved. He was an adult, strong-willed, a rock. I never quite grew up on time. There was 15 years between us — when I was 25, he was 40. Big difference in age and training needs and approaches. He trained heavy and hard, not so much supersetting as I did.

Great husband and dad with a great wife and kids. A good friend, self-assured without arrogance, a most commendable marriage of qualities.

Reg born on June 7, 1928, in England, and he died, as most of us remember, in November of 2007. What most people don’t know is that his father owned a gym and a barbell company.

We press on, by God… Dave