The 40 Plus Journal Part 2 - The Search For Strength

Ill be popping in to have a look 40+, Ive been very impressed by your work in the shape up challenge.

Plus at 38, Ill be joining you in the 40+ crew soon !

Thanks mate and feel free to pop in anytime.
I can't promise a scintillating journal though as I think the road to becoming a PL will be a slow and steady one. Still, I'll be a Masters 1 for another 7 years so no rush.

Well done on the 135k mate,

Well done on the squat pb mate. Next stop 3 plates a side.

Cheers gents, like I say there was a lot of 'good morning' about it but it went up. My lower back has been a problem for me in the past and I'm doing weighted hyperextensions twice a week now.
As the great Reg Park said 'The bottom line is if you have a weak back, you have a weak body'.

I had a prolapsed disc a few years ago and have veered away from squats as a result, which annoys me, I wondering reading this if some more core work and specific back work might enable me to start again?

Reborn


I had a prolapsed disc a few years ago and have veered away from squats as a result, which annoys me, I wondering reading this if some more core work and specific back work might enable me to start again?

It may do mate.
I had a torn muscle in my lower back many years ago caused by incorrect lifting at work, nothing as serious as your injury but it did lay me out for a few days and has been a recurring problem since. When I used to train in my early 20's I would often steer clear of deads and squats because of it but if I'm going to give PL a go then a strong back is needed.
 
 
Missed training tonight, a combination of working late and the gym closing early, will catch up tomorrow.
 
 

Thanks for the vote in the shape-up mate I think Sharkz got mine
...if only you'd worn better underpants

jedi


Thanks for the vote in the shape-up mate I think Sharkz got mine
...if only you'd worn better underpants

hahaha yeh the underpants cost you votes........

jedi


Thanks for the vote in the shape-up mate I think Sharkz got mine
...if only you'd worn better underpants

Bollocks, that's where I went wrong

Tonights training

Flat BBBP (Smith Machine) 1 x 10 bar only, 1 x 5 60 kg, 1 x 5 80 kg, 4 x 5 100 kg, 1 x 4 100 kg
Military Press 1 x 10 bar only, 5 x 5 50 kg
Tricep Dips 1 x 8 60 lb, 1 x 7 60 lb, 1 x 5 60 lb
DB Lat Raises 5 x 5 40 lb
Hyperextensions 3 x 8 20 kg

Good session, chicken kebab for lunch

Good session mate, your best bench session for a while if i am not mistaken. Keep up the good work.

Cheers Bill, I've put a few pounds back on in the last few weeks and I'm eating plenty so some strength is coming back.

Interesting reading your journal, being over 40 you ever wonder how long you can go hard at it ? I been strength training seriously since I was 35, now 42 and I've often wondered how long till I start downhill. I'm at/near my strongest ever currently, but sometimes the aches seem to last longer and be more severe.  keep working!!

Thats a good question, I have read anecdotaly that strnegth tapers off in the 50s, I do know at 38 I am def much stronger than in my 20s.

That is a good question TB.
Like Reborn I'm definitely stronger now than I was in my 20's.
I'm not overly concerned about losing strength as I get older, I went to the All England and the North West Powerlifting comps recently and the guys in the Masters 2 classes were probably the strongest there on the day.
Watching guys like Fate Pete and Formerly Known as Old Git lift is inspirational. I was looking for something to do with my training rather than just training if you know what I mean.

Tonights training

Bent Over Rows (Smith Machine) 1 x 8 bar only, 3 x 8 60 kg,
Hyper Extensions 3 x 8 20 kg
DB Curls 1 x 8 30 lb, 1 x 8 40 lb, 1 x 8 50 lb
Deads 1 x 10 bar only, 1 x 5 60 kg, 1 x 5 100 kg, 1 x 5 140 kg, 1 x 1 160 kg, 1 x 1 175 kg

Happy with the 175, 7.5 off my PB and had to Deads last because I couldn't get on the rack.
I'll train when I can over the next 2 weeks but the gym is only open 3 hours each day.

Well done with the runners up spot matey!! Keep it going and have a lovely Christmas with plenty and plenty of food mate!!

Well done mate, your progress was outstanding, I'll be checking up on ya to see how things are going. I wanna see you reach your goals and enter a PL comp.

Cardifflad


Well done with the runners up spot matey!! Keep it going and have a lovely Christmas with plenty and plenty of food mate!!

Cheers mate, you have a good Christmas too and make sure you pull a couple of crackers!