Been training 35-36 years (started when I was 10 or 11), all those years had only one full year when I did not train at all (being a new father and starting a newe business diverted my attention that year), but all the other years I either trained all year, or else 6 to 9 months out of the year.
I think the fact that I took at least 3 months off a lot of years helped my joints a lot, because I have always trained heavy, but I dont seem to experience a lot of the aches and pains that others do, although I will say when I bench heavy, my right shoulder always seems to get a little out of wack.
Its definitely in my blood, and I know I will always hit the weights for the rest of my life.
Its a beautiful thing.