Age limitation?

[Josh]

Hi all, it's been quite a long time that I have not visited this forum, but here I am again.

I have a question, basically, is there any age limit for one to become bigger (add more mass) through weight training and diet?

I ask this question because I am now 36, and have been weight training for about 3 years, but failing to follow a good and consistent diet. I have found that my muscles have much more definition than before, and I do gain a few kgs, but not as much mass as I would have expected. I also understand (correct me if I'm wrong) that as one gets older growth will slow down due to slower metabolism, reduced energy, etc. Now that I am 36, I am wondering whether there is any hope for me to keep expanding, to obtain a body of better condition (health-wise as well as visual-wise). If there is that hope, I am also interested to know whether there are some special tweaks on the weight training and the diet I should follow in my age and beyond.

I appreciate any advise offered.

- Josh

 

[overthepond]

You would have to post your diet and training routine. As one ages they can still grow it is just a lot harder. You still want to bump up weight to gain mass but it seems to me that it comes down more to diet. You will most likely gain fat easier than when you were younger but compensate by bulking very cleanly. Look at Flex Wheeler....he's almost 40 and still training. I think that interview posted said he is hoping to train for the Olympia. At 36 you probably have a good number of years left as long as you work hard (and smart...stretching and warming up) and keep a dedicated diet.

Keep in mind I am only 19 and am speaking from what I have observed/read...I could be full of shit.

 

[Pepper]

I am 38 and I am getting bigger and stronger.

I started lifting seriously at 33 after about 15 years off and what I noticed was:
1. MORE energy, not less
2. longer recovery times
3. more difficult to shed fat

Don't forget, at your age there are fewer people lifting. This makes it easier to stand out.

 

[devildog88]

Josh,

I am 39, and still lift and work out. I am currently on a four on one off schedule. I think overthepond is exactly right. I am stronger now that I have ever been but keep in mind that I have never been huge. I weighed 165 lbs when I got out of the Marine Corps and now at 39 I weigh 190lbs and have decent stats. I can bench 290, and squat 315 (reps of 7). The one thing I struggle with is the diet. I read all of these posts about protien and carbohydrates and it seems to me that if a guy just eats 6 small meals that are fairly well balanced and spaced out every three hours you can still gain in your lifts. I will never be a body builder per say but I will never be embarassed to take my shirt off n public either. No doubt about it as you get older things start hurting that never used to but if you are carefull it is a great way to age!

 

[Josh]

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate them.

It is good to know that I still have hope to gain positive results through weight training and diet at this age. I was in doubt because this field seems to be dominated by younger people.

I can't post my diet because I simply have never track it. As an Asian, basically I eat lots of white rice, with meats and vegetables (usually stir fried, deep fried, stewed). I try to regularly drink my protein shake. I have not made a hard and conscious attempt to avoid bad fat.

On the training side, I keep changing my program, sometimes I do upper - lower body split, sometimes 3-way-split, and usually I work out 3 days in a week (M-W-St). What Pepper said about longer recovery time gets my attention, because I am also thinking about that, and thus am planning to draw a 4-way-split, while still working out 3 days a week. The only thing I am worrying about is whether this split will lead to undertraining, as there will be many more days before a body part is trained again.

Anyway, thanks again, and any further advise is appreciated.

- Josh

 

[Squaggleboggin]

Don't forget about Mr. Simmons with Westside Barbell. He's over 50 and squats 900+. I don't think you'll have to worry any time soon so long as you train carefully.

 

[min0 lee]

Don't forget, at your age there are fewer people lifting. This makes it easier to stand out.

So true, I'm 40 and I am in better shape and look better than my 40 year old Friends. I can also kick their asses.

 

[SPIKE1257]

What's this, an old timers reunion ?

 

[min0 lee]

Pass the geritol.

 

[Vieope]

Yes you can add muscle pretty much at any age. After 25 or 28 I will not care about muscles anymore.

 

[min0 lee]

Nor your penis.

 

[ihateschoolmt]

After 25 or 28 I will not care about muscles anymore.

You're going to be 25 in less than a year, are you going to stop working out?

 

[Vieope]

Nor your penis.

"So is your face." Scrubs

 

[SPIKE1257]

I put on 5 lbs since 7/4, I'm in the single numbers in BFP, and I'm 47. After the summer I plan on putting on another 5 lbs of LBM..

 

[Vieope]

You're going to be 25 in less than a year, are you going to stop working out?

I have some plans to attend.

 

[min0 lee]

"So is your face." Scrubs

 

[Pepper]

What Pepper said about longer recovery time gets my attention, because I am also thinking about that...

I just seems to me like something is always hurting making it hard to really make the heavy lifts. Today, for example, a slight wrist sprain was making bench press very difficult.

Just seems like there is more and more of that crap as I get older.