Does Middle Age Prevent You Getting Fit?

[@alanc4264]

I'm 70 this week. Always tried to stay fit through walking and hiking. Can hike 10- 15 miles over pretty rugged terrain. Stick to paths nowadyas though as knees cause me some problems. Took up yoga during COVID lockdown as well. I include pressups and squats in my yoga. Can do 30 pressups easily now (started at 10). and 40-50 squats(started at 10) . The biggest issue at my age is recovery time if I push myself too hard. What was a 1 day recovery can now take 2 days. If I get an injury I just adjust what I am doing but never stop exercising.

[@Andy-xt3mh]

The biggest thing to improve my fitness was quitting smoking my stamina shot up about a fortnight after quitting.

[@wrknathome9254]

I just turned 54. I started back training/lifting when i was 47. I feel better now and can do so much more physically now than i could in my late 30s. I dont have abs but that's mainly because i just haven't lost the additional 20-25 lbs. I still like to eat a bit! But i could do it if i really wanted it. The key though is exactly what you say, consistency. That is what matters. Be consistent and the changes will come!

[@piakiby1566]

If you do the work, you can get the results. Man or woman. Muscles are trainable at any age. The hardest thing is getting started. It's all about removing starting barriers. Be your owns biggest supporter, surround yourself with people who support you and choose a path that is do-able in relation to your life situation (work, family and perhaps health issues). Do what you can, be consistent and you will progress.

[@tackleberryc6472]

I'm 56 now, at 48 I was in the best shape of my life. You will as you age have an issue with testosterone. You will most likely have joint problems...usually shoulder problems. All can be overcome...!

[@eightkindsofblue]

I needed to hear this - thank you. I’m not a dude but I *am* 45 - don’t know how I got this old this fast - and just got a gym membership after not exercising regularly since having my second child 12 years ago. My energy has taken a nose dive and I would love more than anything to feel energetic and not sluggish throughout the day. I’m also in peri-menopause and know how important exercise is in building bone density that decreases during menopause. So thanks for this timely PSA and reminding us that we can all get fit if we commit!

[@thatgearguy]

Thanks and wishing you luck on your journey!

[@KoiKicks]

13 months in now with the gym and lifestyle change. Gone from 17.9 stone to 13.7, I'm 49 and seeing and feeling muscles now, everyone comments on my change its great. You have to find stages to reset and motivate. For example I'm near goal weight and i would like to see myself at 15% body fat, then see how musculer my body can get in the next year, so this time next year is my goal. Give short term goals too, so get to Christmas in shape to allow some fun over Christmas without going mad, then on to Spring, then Summer and boom, year done 🎉. Sounds easy but of course it takes courage, determination and willpower. We shouldn't compare ourselves to others as disappointment won't be far away if you do, be authentic and be your best self and remember everyone has their own story and probably wasn’t always where they are. Thanks

[@thatgearguy]

Well done bud. Amazing job!!!

[@kitsimmonds.344]

Shedding four stone in a year is pretty impressive going, well done! Keep up the effort and it actually gets easier as you probably already know.

[@KoiKicks]

@@kitsimmonds.344 👋 thanks. Most intriguing part is finding out how much strength training is building muscle and revealing it with fat loss. Hardest part is motivation as most will know and course most want more, especially at the age of 49 for me when it's harder to build muscle. I've heard it takes up to 5 years to see what your real potential to build muscle is like but most stop by then. So here's to my 2nd year, looking forward to seeing now what my body can do and I can see it instead of fat.

[@brucejensen3081]

If you are in the bottom 30% for your age group for total fat/muscle, VO2 MAX, strength, flexibility, the health benefits of getting to the top 50% are massive. It doesn't take much at all, mostly time really. Getting from top 50% to top 20% the benefits are there, but no way near as beneficial. Getting from top 20% to top 10% the heath benefits are marginal at best. Being top 10% for one and bottom 30% for others, the health benefits are also marginal. Like getting from bottom 30% to top 50% you will probably live 20+ years longer, and have a much better quality of life. Going from top 50% to top 10% you will probably live a couple of years longer. You don't have to get obsessed about it to reap most the rewards

[@RichardPoogerman]

Great advice. In my early 50s now and pulled myself out of late 40s slump and feel great.

[@simonrichert1886]

Hi guys. Anyone out there struggling to get back into a routine? I lost momentum over Christmas and January has slipped by without me doing any exercise to speak of. It's obviously playing on my mind. I guess I need to just get on with it and stop whining, but am definitely struggling at present so any words of wisdom/encouragement gratefully received. Cheers.

[@thatgearguy]

You know what needs to be done. Dont put it off any longer. Monday tomorrow, get to the gym! A few days of training you will be feeling good and back in the groove..

[@simonrichert1886]

@@thatgearguy Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated. Yep, you are right. I know what needs to be done, just needed some words of encouragement. Time to get on with it!

[@MikeMac1980]

Well done fella, your gains and losses are spot on. I’m 43, and over covid every one was Joe Wicksing it, not me, I was drinking far too much, smoking too much, god I felt like a binbag full of rubbish. My Parents moved back nearer the family, and we turned the double garage into a gym. Since then I’ve given up smoking, and work out regularly, this was 4 months ago, I feel fantastic and motivated now. It is worth the pain at the start.

[@peterprice5896]

Im 62 i sufferered two DVT’s from a serious bike accident in 1984 but I go to the gym 5 days a week and have done since the early 90s I believe in Mike mentzers training philosophy and I can still bench 140kg bang 100kg for reps I weigh 15st 8lbs with low bodyfat and I eat very healthy and always have so it can be done.

[@Litewiz]

Holy shit, you can still bench 140kg at 62 years old? No trt?

[@SteveHinrichs]

Thanks for the video. It is motivational. The one issue is I am past middle age. I will not live to the age of 116. 😂😥 However, I am overweight. I need to work on getting rid of the extra tire I around my waist. I need to have a good diet plan. That is my biggest issue. Too much chocolate and ice cream. If I would get out and walk and eat right would be a very good start for me. Thanks again for posting positive videos for older men. We need more of them.

[@peterprice5896]

Oh and did I mention I’m registered disabled with walking issued I don’t see it as a limit more a challenge.

[@heywhotsgoinon8286]

In my early years i trained to look good. Now in my 60's i train to stay alive.lol.

[@peterprice5896]

It’s never too late and I mean never as long as you respect any physical issues that can impact you health just box clever…4-5 well balanced meals a try creatine “it works” have a very good warmup and if you want shape 15-20 reps moderate weights if you want size singles doubles and 6-8 reps and listen to your body if you feel pumped then err it means you are pumped any effort after is diminishing gains muscle grow as a response to shock or anything out of your comfort zone and EAT HEALTHY DONT live like a monk have a pizza and a beer on a Saturday job done.

[@EmilePesky-n1v]

46 going on 47 and just set my pb in bench press, only 92.5kg but I'm only back training a couple of months. I'm aiming for 150ish and see from there. I also have bursitis in one shoulder which stopped me in my tracks for the last few years. There's no sign of it healing fully but I'll keep going. By just doing weights I feel fitter too.

[@thatgearguy]

@@EmilePesky-n1v great work!

[@BrianKellyPrime]

@@thatgearguy thanks, in a nutshell, to anyone else who comes on here, i'm at my strongest i've ever been in at age 46, so others can do it too. I reckon I can gain for a few years yet.

[@skylongskylong1982]

Simple. Move more, eat less.

[@rocky76dude7]

I am hitting 50 in two years time , and people mistake me between 25 and 35 etc .I have three total gyms , maxi and kettle bells .Its the only thing I am disciplined to do which I have done since I was 15 .People in the UK half my age and younger , please regarding fitness and health .

[@thatgearguy]

Nice one Rocky!

[@FrankieWildeDJ]

Great vid as always. Just smashed chest this morning. Zwift for 1 hour tonight for easy group ride sub 1.5. Feeling good today. Not sure if the Tongkat ali is starting to take effect or just the endorphins helped by a strong coffee.. Either way it's all good and working and I'm turning 50 in a few weeks.

[@thatgearguy]

Nice one Nigel! Keep it going!!

[@kitsimmonds.344]

I'm 46, 5' 11" and 210 Lb and could do with shedding 10 to 20 pounds... I used anabolic steriods in my 30's and spent a lot of time in the gym and actually weighed slightly more back then. I only did very mild courses but could feel and see the difference. I use to also do four sets of 20 pull ups everyday and found that to be the best exercise for the whole upper body... Unfortunately I've also been prone to addiction and fell into some very bad habits for a couple of year's with drugs and a lot of alcohol... I had a pretty serious accident in 2021 and spent a week in hospital pumped full of morphine and had to have my right wrist reconstructed with 14 screws and a couple of Titanium plates. The best things I've done since is completely stop drinking/smoking and eating rubish. I now do some pretty heavy weights and walk a couple of miles everyday as well as eat properly... I don't look like I did in my 30's but I'm naturally now in pretty good shape.

[@thatgearguy]

Great to hear you came back from some bad times my friend. Quitting drinking is a game changer. It makes a massive difference to how you look and how you train. Keep up the great work bud!

[@kitsimmonds.344]

@@thatgearguy Thanks for the supportive response. Everything you said in this video is bang on, if I can recover in three years anybody can. Just takes a little more time and commitment than when your in your 20's. Alcohol is dreadful stuff, honestly people reading this, stop drinking and start moving you'll soon feel the benefits.

[@kitsimmonds.344]

One can purchase digital bathroom scales that will tell you your body fat and muscle mass buy using an electric current. Their a bit of faff to use but not expensive and will show you your progress. You want to aim for about 20% body fat and 40% muscle mass.

[@thatgearguy]

@@kitsimmonds.344 20% is fat for a male.

[@kitsimmonds.344]

@@thatgearguy Yeah your quite right, but 20 isn't too bad, it's a good target if your really carrying some weight aim for and then work hard from there on getting it down even further. Yes, if you can it down to between 5 and 15 tops that's where you really want be. I was 25% when at my worst I'm now at just bellow 20% and want to loose a good stone. When I was body building I was around 8% and had good muscle definition and my arms were really vascular. I didn't compete and wasn't nearly defined enough even if I wanted to, I trained to look good and be able to work harder as I'm a carpenter by trade though I now work as a mechanic where grip strength is important.

[@johnwhite.762]

And another thing, all men in their mid fifties, with regard to Myocardial Infarcts (or heart attacks) and Cerebro Vascular Accidents (or strokes) are in the NHS equivalent of sniper alley, so it behoves us all to keep in the best possible shape we can be.

[@peterprice5896]

If you want to see me bench 140kg search on here NOT BAD FOR A 52 year old I’m the guy in the black tee shirt doing an easy 140kg single that felt like 60kg.

[@Twanger..]

Hi again, can you remind me of the split and order you do it in per week please? Are you still doing it? Thanks.

[@thatgearguy]

Check the description on this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6moaYedn5xmmJI It contains the split. And yes still doing it!

[@Twanger..]

Great, thanks! All the best!

[@SonofChurchill]

Gear Guy do you not believe in the term Hard gainer? I'm on the road to getting healthy so early days putting on muscle. Having Abs is that best sign your healthy? Thanks

[@thatgearguy]

I dont understand what your question relates to? Sure there are people who need to eat more than average because of genetics and those (like me) who must eat less. Of course I believe in that. What is your point?

[@KoiKicks]

​@@thatgearguythe comment 'Hardgainer' is someone who bodybuilds but struggles to gain musculature despite effort.

[@thatgearguy]

@@KoiKicks Im well aware what it is I just dont get why he is asking. I dont think I spoke about that in the vid.

[@KoiKicks]

@@thatgearguy not sure but maybe because you didn't mention there is such a thing and the poster is simply asking your opinion?

[@thatgearguy]

@@KoiKicks Well I agree we are all different in terms of metabolic rate for sure. Although I would add that most people I meet who self describe as hard gainers are just people who dont eat anywhere near enough or the right food. Being naturally lean is a great advantage to getting in shape as they can crank up the good cals and add lean muscle with little danger of getting to porky. I wish that were the case for me!

[@yogiyoda]

What's your age and are you on TRT?

[@thatgearguy]

48 and no.

[@johnwhite.762]

I'm in my mid fifties and run 10 miles about 3 times a week, used to do marathons and now regularly do sprint work and now I'm starting to shoot (again). A good diet and good rest and I eat most of the things the future ex-wife shovels up for me. And here's the thing, as I'm working on a farm, and whatever gets shot (deer, pheasants and hares) will end up in the pot. (my pot) Whats not to like about such a relationship between shooting and health?

[@thatgearguy]

Absolutely. Great lifestyle. Excercise, healthy food and cutting out the corporations.. Apart from the cartridge supplier!!