Comments on: What My Mother Said To Me!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 08:29:22 +0000

I’m 53 and have been training since October 1988. Only stopped for a few years when first got a condition called M E or Chronic Fatigue. Started back when able and it done wonders for recovery. Might slow down a little but never give up. Been a powerlifting and bodybuilding.

By: Stephen C.Wilde

Stephen C.Wilde — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 01:14:49 +0000

I’m 61, been doing some exercise since just before I was 14, started with Charles Atlas course! then chest expander with attachments, then Bullworker, then weights for a while, trying the latest exercise gadget, back to weights, for a longtime now, just do a minimal amount of actual weights…….once a week, 1 hard set per bodypart , 2 for abs, and once a week, another workout with either : Bullworker (no holds tho), rubber bands/handles etc, bodyweight exercises, or an old exerciser from the 70s Dyno trainer, rota inside that you pull on and it pulls back, bit like a yo yo with a spinning metal disc inside! hahah! Mainly coz I get bored /grinded down by weights, also get bored easily, so once a week weights, and once a week something else, also cycle 8 miles one day a week and walk 5 miles a day with my dog Gurgi (it means a nice bugger!hahhah)….. (66lb Irish long legged staffie, he’s lucky! very strong just going for walks! wish it was like that for humans! ) , feels like enough activity at my age. Not in great shape, but eat quite well and in comparison with a lot of people who are well………FAT!…….. not to bad. Only got one bod, best to maintain it eh?!!!

By: Heather Bell

Heather Bell — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:34:34 +0000

I am a 45 year old mother of 4. I will never stop working out unless something physically happens to me and I have to. I am an NPC Masters Figure Competitor;)

Thanks!

Heather M Bell, RN
Certified Personal Trainer
864 270 0604

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:46:17 +0000

Mark, your observation about your mom is spot on. I’m turning 69 this year and have been training since my early 40’s. Don’t plan on stopping. In fact I now work p/t at my gym.

By: Prem

Prem — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:24:56 +0000

I will never stop training because it is my IDENTITY

By: Pieter Wesselman

Pieter Wesselman — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:23:32 +0000

I am 72 years of age and have been training full time (3x a week) since I was 40 years of age. I am as fit as a fiddle and lifting a respectable amount of weight though I am not body building. TYhis I have never done. It has always been muscle toning. All I can say that a workout that took me 1,5 hours twenty years ago now takes 2,5 hours. that is all. Do not forget that parallel to this goes your diet. I am on a low carbohydrate, high proteine and high fat diet, which is the right one.

By: Calan

Calan — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:16:52 +0000

Why stop now? I have been doing this for 41 years and am now instructing some men less than half my age who enjoy the challenge of trying to keep up with me. It is a lifestyle and I want my wife and kids to follow in that too. Also, the intensity never goes down. It is just the weights so as not to wear out any joints. Keep Training!

Calan

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:37:35 +0000

Wow! Some amazing and inspirational feedback here!
Safe to say 99% of you are as committed as I am 😀 Great!
Keep the opinions coming, guys.

By: Jon AMOS

Jon AMOS — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 11:07:16 +0000

I like this post. …and no, I don’t see myself living without my gym time – this is my time – just for me. I am now 63 years old. I’ve been a solid gym sponsor for more than 40 years and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:47:58 +0000

G’day Mark,
No intentions of ever stopping training
I’m 44 nearly 45 and its sad to see a lot of guys my age look terrible but I suppose that’s lucky for me I know my wife is happy
regards
Paul

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:36:18 +0000

47. Bench 265×3 reps. Squat 340×1. Dead 375×1. Goin for new pr’s later this year. Lifting safely to avoid injury is #1 goal.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:33:26 +0000

Once a person starts training, and continues to be dedicated to being fit and healthy, that makes it a lifestyle change…..therefore I will be doing some sort of workout as long as I’m able to do so. Because I’ve committed to a lifestyle that I love and can’t even think of not working out.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:04:50 +0000

Sometime in your forties? Seriously? She may as well have asked you “What are you going to do when you stop breathing?”

I just turned 49. At the very least, I will keep doing high intensity interval training, supersetting an upper body movement with a lower body movement until the day that I die. When I can no longer do a pushup or a pullup or a squat or a deadlift then I would like to be euthanized.

I refuse to be one of those men who waddle around looking nine months pregnant, who are destined to be bed ridden for a spell before the die. On that note, I’m going to HIIT it in my front yard with some pushups and deadlifts for 20 to 30 minutes in a fasted state.

Peace

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:03:53 +0000

Started training 10 years ago…
Stopped training when my first & second daughter was born for a good four years (Figured sleepless nights would just be counter productive).
Then, stopped training again when my chronic tennis elbow told my body enough is enough.
Started training again this year because deep inside the passion for training never dies and as far as I am concern I will train till the day that I die.

Even (GOD forbids) if my body told me to stop due to serious injury or whatsoever that unable me to train no more, I know somehow I will use my passion & knowledge to help others to hack their muscle!!!

By: Preston

Preston — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:00:47 +0000

I’m 21. In my Hapkido class, my grandmaster (a Korean man of 74) told us a story. When he was running his gym, a 61-year-old man joined the dojo. My grandmaster asked him in his heavy Korean accent, “How old are you?” He responded, “I”m 61 years old sir.” “Why you join martial arts?” my asked. He replied, “Well, I’d like to have something to carry my into my seventies.” After a pause, my grandmaster said, “No, not til seventies. Martial arts for life.”

I agree with him wholeheartedly. Every year every man past about 35 is physically decaying. Why not slow down the clock and help yourself last longer? I believe you can teach the body to do anything, even live longer. Staying active, weight training, and hacking the body to remain strong can do that.

Thanks for all the wonderful information and sources Mark! I’ve been a hacker for about 3 years, and I’ve never seen gains like I have following your guidelines. Way to spread truth and bust myths for those skinny ectomorphs like me. You give us hope that we can someday look like you with determination and hard work.

By: Alex L

Alex L — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 05:22:02 +0000

24 here….long way to go! Lots of years of training left. I imagine I will keep it up until I feel I can’t lift properly or healthfully anymore. No time soon though!

By: Max

Max — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 04:45:18 +0000

I’m sure we’ve all noticed older people with atrophied muscles and thinner bones from reduced activity. I’m determined not to be one of those (I have a few years yet). I would say exercise, including weight training, becomes even more important as you get older, so I’ll definitely keep going.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 03:43:03 +0000

I will never stop training, too much fun and satisfaction from lifting and pulling heavy things!

I’m 42 this summer and easily in the best shape of my life.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 03:41:41 +0000

But what are you ‘training’ (i.e. practising) for?
Surely you are just exercising.

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 02:47:28 +0000

Mark 64 years young. I have never stopped training and i don’t plan on stopping. Sometimes, it is a serious chore to get my ass in gear; body is tired or sore and it sounds good to just pick up a book or watch TV and do nothing. But I know deep inside when I do start up i’ll be in a world of hurt At this age you don’t recover as quickly, you can’t get back in shape as easily when you are younger So I do the grind.. and when I’m done I feel so good and sometimes I feel invincible… and that will last until my next exercise period.

By: Choko

Choko — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 01:45:19 +0000

Hello Mark!

I’m 34 years old and I have started to do sport since I have 5.
Since 3 years, I’m working out and I’m not thinking to stop coz I love it 😉

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 23:49:50 +0000

I am now 23 training since i was 18 i broke my 2 bones in my left forearm this time last year an i still trained all other body parts while i was in a cast, couldn’t do barbell squats, barbell bench press, pull ups, pull downs but instead i did squats with a back pack (sack on my back) with plates inside, all mostly super sets when it came to legs from sack squats to sack lunges, i did 1arm dumbell press 1arm pull ups 1arm pull downs i did 1 arm everything really, my point is even with 1 arm i still trained and nothing was gonna stop me from maintaining da size i gained from them 4 years of training i just thought outside the box. im never gonna stop nor is anyone ever gonna stop me im going to be training for as long as i possibly can. as long as im living really

By: Juanito

Juanito — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:20:32 +0000

I’m 19 at the moment, and I’ve been training for around five years, but I’ve only trained correctly for like two years. I don’t think I will ever stop training.

I do have a concern, though. I don’t want my muscles to grow past a certain point, since I don’t play sports or lift very often (other than at the gym). So when I get to that point, maybe when I’m 25 or so, I will continue training, but I’ll probably lift the same reps/weight and just do HIIT on the side, for maintenance.

Have any of you guys reached a point where you’re happy with your body, and have entered a maintenance phase? How is it?

By: Gerhard Varady

Gerhard Varady — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:03:18 +0000

I am 3 weeks off 73 and getting back into working out, just 5 weeks after having a total right knee replacement. Prior to this over the last 2 years In have had kidney and thyroid cancer and this has not stopped me from training, though after short recovery periods. I must add that currently I am free of cancer. But in the long run age should not be a deterant to working out. In fact the more muscle that you have in later years the better your life style will be.
Keep training!
Gerhard V

By: Sean Brown

Sean Brown — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:01:48 +0000

I am going to be 39 in August,and I will never stop training. I’ll be pushing up barbells till I die…then I will be just pushing up daisies, haha!!