How long have you been training?

Just a question for the Over 40s, how long have you been training?  Are you a new trainer, having only got into working out in your 40s or older?  Or have you been training for so long it's part of your life?

James Collier
MT Co-Owner & Nutrition Consultant

I have only been training since February 2006, and only really training with any real intensity since i joined a gym around September last year.

I got into it due to ill health which led me to putting on a fair amount of fat.

Really love training now, cannot imagine stopping it.

2010 Shape up entry

I have been training close to 30 years seen alot of changes things come and go new fads all the time but usually the tried and tested still come out tops!!!

Micky McKay Personal Trainer Healthy Action www.fitness121.co.uk

Trained a fair bit late teens & early 20's , gave up when married & kids came along.

Started back about 7 years ago after having a prolapsed disc - can't imagine packing in again :-)

Off and on since I was 11..but cardio always got in the way, Im 41 now ffs

Urban Combatives. 

About 6 years constant, started off for fitness now strength and fitness to see how far I can push myself in both arenas before I break. Doing pretty well so far only broke the once last year but a quick dab of glue and off I go again. 

Some people are born great
Others have greatness thrust upon them,
I find My greatness comes in a tub of Dianabol.

http://www.mrmdvd.com/

Like Donnyboy I trained in my teens and early twenties then nothing until July 2007 when I was coming up to 41.
I've been training with the emphasis being on powerlifting for the last 4 months.
 

My Journal

http://www.northmidlandspowerlifting.co.uk

Trained with weights on and off for donkey's years, but I have to be honest and say its been more off than on.

Played Rugby at school, then continued with it into the Colts and then the seniors, so to speak. In a pre-season'friendly', I mangled my left knee. I tried to come back several times but made it worse, however, I could run in a straight line, so continued with this. I joined a club, did Cross Country League races, and long distance, completing 10 marathons (best time 2 hrs 54 mins). Fitness was superb, but I went down to 9st 10lbs, very little muscle, except the legs were reasonable.

Turned to lifting weights again and over the years trained at places like Mike Bakers and Image in Northampton. Then started taking it a little more seriously about 3 years ago and set up my own gym in my garage

Over the years I gained a lot of weight, a fair bit of muscle, unfortunately a lot of fat with it.

This past year, I turned to Powerlifting and absolutely love it, and I can't see myself training in any other way! I have done 6 comps and though I find them extremely nerve-wracking, the next one can't come quick enough.

Feel the fear, and do it anyway!

http://www.englishpowerlifting.co.uk/index.html

Started at 17, now 43, been a bit on and off  really but over the past 5 years have put in a decent 4.
It is and always has been pretty much part of my life, always made sure I had at least a bench and a set of weights in the house, I`ve passed this down to my son how important it is, I`ve always insisted he keep the same in his bedroom lol, hopefully he`ll start and get the bug, still waiting at 21 though.

Look after your body,it is the greatest thing you will EVER own----Bazil Baines

Dodging the rain and bullets since 1966.

started at 15 to 26 was in great shape,then trained off and on ,now mid 40,s still trying to get back in shape ,,,,

30 years for me. Started at 23, now 53, apart from seven months off with a slipped disc in '88, it's been pretty much constant

"'You have less frontal development that I should have expected,' said he, at last. 'It is a dangerous habit to finger loaded firearms in the pocket of one's dressing-gown.'

i started weight trainning at around 44 (im 47 now) so a relative newcomer.
but i have been endurance training/general fitness training for over 25 years.

out of the darkness and into the light,thats why im still here and willing to fight!

 I started weight training in 1989 in a Nautilus gym. In 1991 aged 43 I moved to a different gym and started using free weights and doing bodybuilding training. I've been training on and off since then. Off periods were due to family commitments or illness. I'm currently trying to remove enough fat to see my abs for the first time in many tears.

Into my 28th year seriously with weights, competed for 9 years (off and on) and not had a break for much longer that a few weeks due to serious injury and illness. Trained in most of the main gyms in the sout East including 2 of this countries greatest gyms now consigned to BBing history - Len Sells and Bill Stevens.

I used to train in my early 20s and then just stopped completely becoming rather over weight into my mid 30s. It was only when I was approaching the big 4 0 that I decided to prove that you didn't need to be 40 and frumpy, never looked back.

Sponsored by Muscle Finesse Drunk on Udos

Started in 1981 and on and off since then.  Trying to get back into it and some decent shape again.  Had a few set backs along the way the past few years but who knows hey.  Can but try.

30 years more off than on I'd say at a guess, this last year as been my most consistent, last six weeks apart, due to the worst case of sciatica known to mankind.

It's hard to be humble when I'm so great...

If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologize...Muhammad Ali

I have been training since I was 15 so about 25 years on and off. I have a bad back and some ligament and joint problems. Wish I would of listenend to all the people who told me to stretch before and after training. I am itching to get back in the gym but I have to get my back sorted first.

Been in and out of training  since 11(judo/karate) and weights since 15.  Had 3 years off and regreted it...BUT NOW I'M BACK ONNIT   Fast approaching 43.  My advice is keep trainning amigos.

First started training with weights in 1974 when I went to uni. Hadn't a clue what I was doing, mixed weights with karate, running, football, rugby...
 
Didn't train from 80 - 84 following serious car crash, trained 85 - 97, stopped till 2002 because I opened my own gym and busman's holiday syndrome kicked in, been training for comps since 2002 and tbh if I didn't have the comps I don't know if I'd still be doing it. But I am, I enjoy it, and one of my long term goals (which is much closer now than it was at the time!) is IPF M3 World Bench title.
 
I reckon I'm much healthier and 'younger' than I would be if I behaved like a typical guy my age, and I have no plans to stop. Being a Masters lifter, I meet guys in their 70s and 80s who are still intensely competitive, and some of the 50+ guys are still winning British open class titles, and that inspires me to continue.

Winners are just dreamers who didn't quit