Exact age when fitness and strength begin to decline

[IroNat]

https://nypost.com/2025/12/21/health/this-is-the-exact-age-when-fitness-and-strength-begin-to-decline-study/

[SF1900]

I have never been bigger or stronger than I am at 44.

[Methyl m1ke]

I have never been bigger or stronger than I am at 44.

Same at 45

[GymnJuice]

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcsm.70134

Physical activity consistently emerges as the most important factor influencing both absolute physical capacity and the rate of age-related decline. Our longitudinal data are consistent with previous studies showing that regular physical activity can attenuate the decline in physical performance [17, 32-37]. Individuals who were physically active in their leisure time at age 16 maintained higher aerobic capacity, muscular endurance and muscle power throughout the observation period. This emphasises the importance of early intervention to establish positive exercise habits in adolescence and early adulthood, as these patterns appear to have long-term benefits for physical function.

Encouragingly, our results show that transitioning from physical inactivity to activity at any age significantly improves performance in all fitness modalities studied. These findings contradict the assumption that early inactivity irreversibly impairs physical performance. Rather, taking up regular physical activity leads to measurable improvements in performance even in later decades of life. This finding is of particular importance for clinical practice, as physical activity is still the only evidence-based intervention to reduce the risk of sarcopenia [2, 38]. Recent large population studies also show that an active lifestyle is beneficial at any age [13, 39, 40].

It would have been interesting if they examined to what degree the age related decline was slowed by daily cardio and weightlifting. I don't think that was a primary goal of their research.

[Irongrip400]

I probably peaked strength wise around 35 but I’m still as big or maybe look a little bigger now body composition wise. Lifting too heavy now would hurt my joints.

[Griffith]

From what I've read most seem to say from about 50-55.

[Brenda Steunbeer]

Strength is one thing, but speed, coordination, recuperation, flexibility are a totally different matter.

For bodybuilding everything seems to decline after age 27 / 28?
Maybe it's the gear use, or just aging, the freshness of skin and muscle after that age just is gone.
Easily visible on photos of Arnold, Zane, and many others.

[Humble Narcissist]

I probably peaked strength wise around 35 but I’m still as big or maybe look a little bigger now body composition wise. Lifting too heavy now would hurt my joints.

35 is about the age all pro athletes that require speed, strength, agility and stamina fall apart.

[MuscleBuff]

Mid 20's for back and legs. Mid 30's for upper body.

[MuscleBuff]

Strength is one thing, but speed, coordination, recuperation, flexibility are a totally different matter.

For bodybuilding everything seems to decline after age 27 / 28?
Maybe it's the gear use, or just aging, the freshness of skin and muscle after that age just is gone.
Easily visible on photos of Arnold, Zane, and many others.

27 is indeed the age when most if not all lose that fresh glow of glory. They fade into stale bread look after, one day at a time

[hench]

I'm probably in my best shape and fitter now at 46 than ever.  Surely this decline they speak of is just if your someone who does no sort of  continuous physical activity

[joswift]

Strength is one thing, but speed, coordination, recuperation, flexibility are a totally different matter.

For bodybuilding everything seems to decline after age 27 / 28?
Maybe it's the gear use, or just aging, the freshness of skin and muscle after that age just is gone.
Easily visible on photos of Arnold, Zane, and many others.

I think its a bit older than that, lots of guys competing as pros in their early 40s and doing well
I got back in shape at 48 after a long layoff and made imrovements , some areas I improved on better than when I was 30.
I could see a drastic change from 57-58 after competing solid for over a year, hence why I stopped

Now I just feel sore and fucked all the time with one slight injury after another

[38 returns]

Jeff as I recall you were about 3 weeks out for 18 months due to competing schedule. do oyu think the strain of that may have added to the overall stress?  most people are in that nick for about 6 weeks a year you were there more or less permanently and looked fantastic

[joswift]

Jeff as I recall you were about 3 weeks out for 18 months due to competing schedule. do oyu think the strain of that may have added to the overall stress?  most people are in that nick for about 6 weeks a year you were there more or less permanently and looked fantastic

probably, I have no regrets though, Im glad I didnt get top 3 at the UK show because I would have qualified for the Britain in 24 and I most likely would have carried on, the 4th place was a reality check

Then again Im probably depressed at the moment so fuck it

[Donny]

when you start doing Goblet Squats 

[joswift]

when you start doing Goblet Squats 

Mine was "start doing pull ups" 

[IroNat]

I'm probably in my best shape and fitter now at 46 than ever. Surely this decline they speak of is just if your someone who does no sort of  continuous physical activity

You must have been in poor shape when you were younger.

35+ is when I noticed a decline begin.  Still had really good strength into my 40s but injury recovery, stamina, etc. go down.

My peak years of being a complete beast were from 20-25.

[Donny]

Mine was "start doing pull ups" 

[MuscleBuff]

If you maxxed out your potential at a young age, you are more likely to have broken some things, which initiates the decline through nerve damage and so on. Also, the nearer you are to your full potential being maxed out, the sooner the decline will become noticeable. If you are just coasting at 60-70% of your potential in your 20's and 30's, you may not be aware of the decline happening until 40's-50's. Your ceiling is coming down, but you are still able to shift into higher gear, thereby keeping a similar or higher cruise speed. Then at the convergence point of that rising rpm meter and the lowering ceiling, that's when you will become aware of the decline that has been building for years, and it will hit like a ton of bricks all at once.


alpha chad vs beta latebloomer chart attached

[38 returns]

ne last hurrahJ at over 60's?

you'd fcuking clean up mate

[Methyl m1ke]

when you start doing Goblet Squats 

Correct answer. I workout with my 87 year old friend and at first he couldn't stand on his own (after HA) and then I had him squatting his bodyweight holding onto the countertop in the kitchen and after some weeks he was able to squat his own bodyweight and goblet squats were the direction I chose for him from there. Worked a treat.

[Methyl m1ke]

probably, I have no regrets though, Im glad I didnt get top 3 at the UK show because I would have qualified for the Britain in 24 and I most likely would have carried on, the 4th place was a reality check

Then again Im probably depressed at the moment so fuck it

Happens to us all Jeff. You have been taking your anger out on Brian and all the while I silently wished you'd have this moment of self discovery so I could get the chance to tell you nothing will make you feel good again except getting back in the gym, and doing all that you can. Makes you feel good about yourself. You can't do what you used to do but what you can do is still an inspiration to many. So do it! And the truth is Brian is one of us, he struggles with depression he hates getting old but he gives his all anyway. He has my respect at least. Anyway start lifting you'll feel better.

[Rambone]

I believe excessive back-patting is not only frowned upon but is also a community rules offense punishable by law via the Committee^TM

HTH

[IroNat]

Happens to us all Jeff. You have been taking your anger out on Brian and all the while I silently wished you'd have this moment of self discovery so I could get the chance to tell you nothing will make you feel good again except getting back in the gym, and doing all that you can. Makes you feel good about yourself. You can't do what you used to do but what you can do is still an inspiration to many. So do it! And the truth is Brian is one of us, he struggles with depression he hates getting old but he gives his all anyway. He has my respect at least. Anyway start lifting you'll feel better.

[38 returns]

Happens to us all Jeff. You have been taking your anger out on Brian and all the while I silently wished you'd have this moment of self discovery so I could get the chance to tell you nothing will make you feel good again except getting back in the gym, and doing all that you can. Makes you feel good about yourself. You can't do what you used to do but what you can do is still an inspiration to many. So do it! And the truth is Brian is one of us, he struggles with depression he hates getting old but he gives his all anyway. He has my respect at least. Anyway start lifting you'll feel better.

methyl mike when you came to getbig in 2019 until dec 26 2020 where you disappeared until June of this year- you were supportive of wes and his cancer battle and are now backing the bloke who wished wes dead. how do you square that 'mike'?