The Mature thread

[oldtimer1]

I don't think the order of exercises is that critical but for me I do agree that you should do the hardest and biggest first down to the smallest. Who could argue with Steve Reeves results when he deviated from what I just stated?

There are so many ways to get results. What is optimal? I think the older I get the more I believe the best way to train is the way that works for you that is in direct conflict with scientific reason. It was Jeff Everson who was an elite power lifter, Olympic lifter, bodybuilder and field athlete in track and field said, "Until pigs learn to fly you don't have to be a scientist to be a bodybuilder." He said he has been around some of the best bodybuilders in the world and some couldn't tell you what they did in yesterday's workout let alone what they ate for lunch that day. He also countered that some of the most "scientific" trainers couldn't hold the jock strap of some champs that just walked into a gym and winged it. Let's face it. No matter how complicated some exercise physiologists, Kinesiologists, and one week personal trainer certificate holders make out lifting weights to be it's just picking up stuff and putting it down.

[Primemuscle]

I don't think the order of exercises is that critical but for me I do agree that you should do the hardest and biggest first down to the smallest. Who could argue with Steve Reeves results when he deviated from what I just stated?

There are so many ways to get results. What is optimal? I think the older I get the more I believe the best way to train is the way that works for you that is in direct conflict with scientific reason. It was Jeff Everson who was an elite power lifter, Olympic lifter, bodybuilder and field athlete in track and field said, "Until pigs learn to fly you don't have to be a scientist to be a bodybuilder." He said he has been around some of the best bodybuilders in the world and some couldn't tell you what they did in yesterday's workout let alone what they ate for lunch that day. He also countered that some of the most "scientific" trainers couldn't hold the jock strap of some champs that just walked into a gym and winged it. Let's face it. No matter how complicated some exercise physiologists, Kinesiologists, and one week personal trainer certificate holders make out lifting weights to be it's just picking up stuff and putting it down.

I agree. There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Personally, I like to do warm up exercises and a warm up set before I hit a movement hard. For example when working quads, I'll do leg extensions as my first exercise to get my knees functioning good. My first set of leg presses is higher reps and lower weight. Then I'll either increase the weight and lower the reps until I max out or I will pyramid and finish off with another high rep lower weight set.

[Donny]

I don't think the order of exercises is that critical but for me I do agree that you should do the hardest and biggest first down to the smallest. Who could argue with Steve Reeves results when he deviated from what I just stated?

There are so many ways to get results. What is optimal? I think the older I get the more I believe the best way to train is the way that works for you that is in direct conflict with scientific reason. It was Jeff Everson who was an elite power lifter, Olympic lifter, bodybuilder and field athlete in track and field said, "Until pigs learn to fly you don't have to be a scientist to be a bodybuilder." He said he has been around some of the best bodybuilders in the world and some couldn't tell you what they did in yesterday's workout let alone what they ate for lunch that day. He also countered that some of the most "scientific" trainers couldn't hold the jock strap of some champs that just walked into a gym and winged it. Let's face it. No matter how complicated some exercise physiologists, Kinesiologists, and one week personal trainer certificate holders make out lifting weights to be it's just picking up stuff and putting it down.

this is true. Keep it simple. Remember when we all started training? looking at the pics of Reeves,Park... you just worked on a few exercises from basic routines of the time. Mainly full body or upper/lower. Point is you mastered Basics first. I get guys coming in with routines that are way too advanced for them. 6 day routines with way too much volume. Some of these guys can not chin.

[Donny]

well another Lazy Sunday... will go out for a Run later on. A bit windy today so iŽll wrap up well. When iŽm back iŽll hit some Abs at Home.

[oldtimer1]

My stone age dipping bar set up. It worked back in the day and it will work today. Giving up cardio for awhile to get some strength back. I just got too skinny lately.

[Primemuscle]

We started the day with breakfast at the Original Pancake House. It is an iconic restaurant here in Portland. We waited 45 minutes to get seated and they don't take reservations. My wife always forgets how busy this place is and I didn't feel like arguing with her about going there today, Sunday, when the wait is the longest. I ate too many delicious Latkes, which were thin and very crispy and which I smothered in sour cream.

When we got home my daughter, her husband and I had plans to do a bunch of yard work. I started by mowing the back yard, avoiding most of the mole hills and then began trimming and raking up debris out front. I got stung by a ground wasp on the side of my head while I was trimming some ivy which didn't feel good. Altogether, we worked several hours. I took a hot shower to wash off the dirt. I feel great now, but tired.

This was my lazy Sunday, not exactly as physically taxing as a run, but better than sitting on my ass all day. 

[oldtimer1]

Prime yard work is better than sitting around the house. When I vacuum, wash and wax my two cars I feel like I've been through the ringer.

[njflex]

My stone age dipping bar set up. It worked back in the day and it will work today. Giving up cardio for awhile to get some strength back. I just got too skinny lately.

nice ..jealous my basement is small tight ,i have area just enough ,,,all my time is at the gym but a few workouts here and there..

[oldtimer1]

Flex, I'm really happy to have a roughly 1500 sq. ft. basement with 9' ceilings. Since I retired my income has taken a hit and I might have to down size. I will enjoy it while I can. I hate commercial gyms lately. If I down size I might get rid of most of my equipment and that might tear out my heart.    I just might go the IronMaster route and get adjustable dumbbells and their all in one bench so I can workout on a postage stamp area.

[njflex]

Flex, I'm really happy to have a roughly 1500 sq. ft. basement with 9' ceilings. Since I retired my income has taken a hit and I might have to down size. I will enjoy it while I can. I hate commercial gyms lately. If I down size I might get rid of most of my equipment and that might tear out my heart.    I just might go the IronMaster route and get adjustable dumbbells and their all in one bench so I can workout on a postage stamp area.

hang in there man,,,hold on to the passion and that set up...being in shape is your personal gift to yourself,,,people believe being older means out of shape and giving up moving on,,hell no for me,,and reading your workouts it's not an issue with u..

[The Scott]

Back from Aridzona and my self imposed exile from both Kommiefornia and here.  I took time off posting and training.  My leg brace is a welcome addition to my life and affords me the ability to walk with hardly a trace of my ineptitude.  I no longer walk like Boris Karloff's "Mummy"...

...But more like Fred Gwynne's "Herman Munster".   

I have tomorrow off and will train in my garage around 3 a.m.  Looking forward to it. 

[Primemuscle]

Flex, I'm really happy to have a roughly 1500 sq. ft. basement with 9' ceilings. Since I retired my income has taken a hit and I might have to down size. I will enjoy it while I can. I hate commercial gyms lately. If I down size I might get rid of most of my equipment and that might tear out my heart.    I just might go the IronMaster route and get adjustable dumbbells and their all in one bench so I can workout on a postage stamp area.

I hate reading this. So far, since retiring our income has actually improved some. However, the COLA my wife and I get each year on a guaranteed annuity is only 2%. The CPI is generally a bit higher than this, so our income is not keeping up with inflation. SSI does not keep pace with inflation either.  Downsizing is not something we want to do.

Indirectly, I guess we are downsizing anyway. Rather than move to a smaller place, we are sharing our over-sized (for just my wife and me) abode with our daughter, her husband and our grandson. They pay us a sizable rent. In exchange I am financing an expensive remodel designed to create a better separation of space, more privacy for all of us, some other upgrades and maintenance items. Eventually, this house will be theirs anyway when my wife and I pass on.

[Donny]

hang in there man,,,hold on to the passion and that set up...being in shape is your personal gift to yourself,,,people believe being older means out of shape and giving up moving on,,hell no for me,,and reading your workouts it's not an issue with u..

yes good post steve... you have some great kit there.

[oldtimer1]

I hate reading this. So far, since retiring our income has actually improved some. However, the COLA my wife and I get each year on a guaranteed annuity is only 2%. The CPI is generally a bit higher than this, so our income is not keeping up with inflation. SSI does not keep pace with inflation either.  Downsizing is not something we want to do.

Indirectly, I guess we are downsizing anyway. Rather than move to a smaller place, we are sharing our over-sized (for just my wife and me) abode with our daughter, her husband and our grandson. They pay us a sizable rent. In exchange I am financing an expensive remodel designed to create a better separation of space, more privacy for all of us, some other upgrades and maintenance items. Eventually, this house will be theirs anyway when my wife and I pass on.

2% cola annually is amazing in my eyes. In ten years your retirement income goes up 20%? My retirement had cola but it's now gone completely. My retirement pension is really generous but I'm down close to about 50K less income than I was use too since I retired.  Savings are dwindling so in a year or two I have to seriously down size. I love my house it's a dream house for me but with crazy taxes, two heaters and two central air units it's just too expensive to stay there with two kids in college. Looking for a post retirement job is not easy.

[Donny]

chest today ..

DB flat press 3 sets
DB flat flys 3 sets
incline BB press 3 sets
incline DB flys 3 sets
push ups 2x max

abs: crunches 3xmax. Cardio: bike 30 mins

[funk51]

My stone age dipping bar set up. It worked back in the day and it will work today. Giving up cardio for awhile to get some strength back. I just got too skinny lately.

i've got something similar to that, i had it custom made in the late 70's

[funk51]

i've got something similar to that, i had it custom made in the late 70's

you can't see the dipping bars but they're up there

[funk51]

  favorite bench for pressing exercises actually get a better ROM than free weights due to yolk design.

[Donny]

you got a great Home Gym...Funky

[oldtimer1]

favorite bench for pressing exercises actually get a better ROM than free weights due to yolk design.

I've been saying forever that the bench is a shoulder wrecker even though I bench. It's limited range of motion by arching one's back really makes for tight shoulders. A device like you have will take away the inherent flaw in the bench. Hammer strength is the same in that the bar starts the same for everyone.  Watch some people do a conventional bench press that are fat or just big while arching. They might push the bar 15 inches while another with the same weight will have to push it 23 inches off the chest. From a mathematical fact the one who pushes the weight further is doing the most amount of work. The bench is one of the poorest tests of strength.

[funk51]

I've been saying forever that the bench is a shoulder wrecker even though I bench. It's limited range of motion by arching one's back really makes for tight shoulders. A device like you have will take away the inherent flaw in the bench. Hammer strength is the same in that the bar starts the same for everyone.  Watch some people do a conventional bench press that are fat or just big while arching. They might push the bar 15 inches while another with the same weight will have to push it 23 inches off the chest. From a mathematical fact the one who pushes the weight further is doing the most amount of work. The bench is one of the poorest tests of strength.

my kid doesn't use barbells anymore he uses all dbs and machines pretty much.

[njflex]

LEGS SUNDAY 
HEAVY DUTY...

LEG PRESS 4/5/6/7 PLATES 12/12/10/10
HACK SQUAT 3/4/5/5.5
EXTENSIONS 220/230/240/250 SET 12/12/10/10

HAMS
SLDL 135/185/235
EXTENSIONS 140/150/155/160

CALVES
SEATED CALF RAISES X3
LEG PRESS TOE EXTENSIONS X3

[Donny]

LEGS SUNDAY 
HEAVY DUTY...

LEG PRESS 4/5/6/7 PLATES 12/12/10/10
HACK SQUAT 3/4/5/5.5
EXTENSIONS 220/230/240/250 SET 12/12/10/10

HAMS
SLDL 135/185/235
EXTENSIONS 140/150/155/160

CALVES
SEATED CALF RAISES X3
LEG PRESS TOE EXTENSIONS X3

brutal Steve...you must feel it the next day climbing stairs !

[njflex]

brutal Steve...you must feel it the next day climbing stairs !

lol yeah....

chest
fdb press..60/70/80..12/10/10/,,85 drop to 65
decline x3
incline press x3
cable crossers x3x15
barbell pullovers x3

tris
overhead cable extensions x4
dip machine x3
single arm rope pushdowns x3
close grip x2

abs

[wild willie]

Legs last night ..
Warm up on bike 20 mins.

Squats 4 sets
Leg curls 4 sets
Leg press 4 sets
Stiff legged deads 4 sets
Standing calf raises(smith machine) 5 sets

Ab: Crunch machine 3 sets. Very basic workout.

nice workout Donny!!! No nonsense......keep it up!