What Age did your Strength/Recovery take a Big hit?

[Hightower]

Yeah, it was very demotivating. I never stopped going, I did what I could though. Lost some weight and focused on getting leaner and doing more cardio.

When I lay down for a long time I could not get up and there was no talk of training in the gym. I started with a regular walk, then increased the time and intensity, and this helped me to get back on track.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Such injuries are very seriously knocked out of life. Sometimes there is a fear of scales and a fear of being injured again.

Yes. I have a somewhat physically demanding job and now that I'm getting older I'm starting to worry about injuries a lot more. Not just because of how it could affect my training, but it could affect my ability to earn a living as well.

 

[Hightower]

Yes. I have a somewhat physically demanding job and now that I'm getting older I'm starting to worry about injuries a lot more. Not just because of how it could affect my training, but it could affect my ability to earn a living as well.

That's right, with age, you think that injuries can affect and place on the ability to earn money and provide for a family.

 

[Norse13]

Yes. I have a somewhat physically demanding job and now that I'm getting older I'm starting to worry about injuries a lot more. Not just because of how it could affect my training, but it could affect my ability to earn a living as well.

Spot on, I'm thinking about the same things... is it really worth it. I can take some pain during training, it's part of the game, but there's that lingering uncertainty of what's the next injury and how bad will it be? Will it reduce quality of life outside of gym and there's a risk to earnings and other things that matters. When I couldn't lift my kids up to play with them, I decided that chasing numbers is no longer worth it.

When I went for surgery for my spinal hernia, the head spinal surgeon of one of the top hospitals in country basically told me that I'm fcuked. There's too much wear and tear on too many disks, it's not really fixable, and I need to decide what's most important - my hobby or the risk of back pain and reduced mobility the rest of my life.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Spot on, I'm thinking about the same things... is it really worth it. I can take some pain during training, it's part of the game, but there's that lingering uncertainty of what's the next injury and how bad will it be? Will it reduce quality of life outside of gym and there's a risk to earnings and other things that matters. When I couldn't lift my kids up to play with them, I decided that chasing numbers is no longer worth it.

When I went for surgery for my spinal hernia, the head spinal surgeon of one of the top hospitals in country basically told me that I'm fcuked. There's too much wear and tear on too many disks, it's not really fixable, and I need to decide what's most important - my hobby or the risk of back pain and reduced mobility the rest of my life.

That's kind of where I'm at with my hip. Haven't been to a doctor over it and don't know the extent of what's wrong. I know I don't want a hip replacement though. After the last time I just kept pushing through trying to train heavy and how much I was struggling at work and limping around in my daily life and waking up in pain I decided it was enough.

I think I still might try to do a bench only meet here and there. I love powerlifting and doing meets. But I think my heavy squat and deadlift days are over. Like you said it's just a hobby.

So how are you coping with it and changing your training? I'm doing a John Meadows program currently. Never really done any bodybuilding routines before. It's not as enjoyable, but it's not bad. Doing something different is kind of nice after the last few years of off and on injuries and trying to train around them. I've cut a bunch of weight and been doing more cardio as well. Not sure what I'm going to do after finishing this program in a couple weeks, but I guess try some other non strength focused routines.

 

[Hightower]

Spot on, I'm thinking about the same things... is it really worth it. I can take some pain during training, it's part of the game, but there's that lingering uncertainty of what's the next injury and how bad will it be? Will it reduce quality of life outside of gym and there's a risk to earnings and other things that matters. When I couldn't lift my kids up to play with them, I decided that chasing numbers is no longer worth it.

When I went for surgery for my spinal hernia, the head spinal surgeon of one of the top hospitals in country basically told me that I'm fcuked. There's too much wear and tear on too many disks, it's not really fixable, and I need to decide what's most important - my hobby or the risk of back pain and reduced mobility the rest of my life.

Pain is not part of the game, you still need to try to train intelligently and with your head. The result will be more and health will remain more for personal records.
And the spine loves loads and muscle tone helps to maintain it in optimal condition.

 

[Hightower]

That's kind of where I'm at with my hip. Haven't been to a doctor over it and don't know the extent of what's wrong. I know I don't want a hip replacement though. After the last time I just kept pushing through trying to train heavy and how much I was struggling at work and limping around in my daily life and waking up in pain I decided it was enough.

I think I still might try to do a bench only meet here and there. I love powerlifting and doing meets. But I think my heavy squat and deadlift days are over. Like you said it's just a hobby.

So how are you coping with it and changing your training? I'm doing a John Meadows program currently. Never really done any bodybuilding routines before. It's not as enjoyable, but it's not bad. Doing something different is kind of nice after the last few years of off and on injuries and trying to train around them. I've cut a bunch of weight and been doing more cardio as well. Not sure what I'm going to do after finishing this program in a couple weeks, but I guess try some other non strength focused routines.

I after having been ill with covid and when I was diagnosed with acute thrombophlebitis. Now I live with a thrombus in my leg, which liquefies and for now I can walk with pain. One leg is larger than the other. Therefore, I have light multi-rep work in the gym and cardio on the ellipse.

 

[Norse13]

Pain is not part of the game, you still need to try to train intelligently and with your head. The result will be more and health will remain more for personal records.
And the spine loves loads and muscle tone helps to maintain it in optimal condition.

I reckon a bit of pain is part of the game in most sports. You play soccer, someone will kick your shin or you'll get the ball in your balls. You go rock climbing, you'll scrape skin and bash your elbows and knees. And offshore sailing, the waves will throw your body into parts of the boat once in a while.

What I meant was that occasional pain which is recoverable is fine.

 

[Norse13]

I think I still might try to do a bench only meet here and there. I love powerlifting and doing meets. But I think my heavy squat and deadlift days are over. Like you said it's just a hobby.

So how are you coping with it and changing your training? I'm doing a John Meadows program currently. Never really done any bodybuilding routines before. It's not as enjoyable, but it's not bad. Doing something different is kind of nice after the last few years of off and on injuries and trying to train around them. I've cut a bunch of weight and been doing more cardio as well. Not sure what I'm going to do after finishing this program in a couple weeks, but I guess try some other non strength focused routines.

I'm not doing very great at all, I'm probably the last person who should offer advice. I've just done bodybuilding, never really tried powerlifting.

I do no barbells, only dumbbells. The freedom in movement and angles makes a huge difference in being able to find painless moves.

I do some pre exhausting, which is very boring, but the whole point is to reduce the weight without reducing effort. So for example I will do dumbbell lat raise first, then seated dumbbell shoulder press. By the time I start the shoulder press, my delts are already tired and I need to reduce the weight a bit compared to doing shoulder press first.
I also focus on doing slow and controlled, which further lowers the weight that I'm able to lift. I do some short iso holds at max contraction to increase effort and reduce weight.

So basically I'm trying to make light weights difficult. The exact opposite of competitive powerlifting...

 

[Hightower]

I reckon a bit of pain is part of the game in most sports. You play soccer, someone will kick your shin or you'll get the ball in your balls. You go rock climbing, you'll scrape skin and bash your elbows and knees. And offshore sailing, the waves will throw your body into parts of the boat once in a while.

What I meant was that occasional pain which is recoverable is fine.

Ahh, now I understand, yes, such pain is acceptable. At first I thought about critical pain, the result at any cost, at the cost of pain and injuries.

 

[Dw725]

That's kind of where I'm at with my hip. Haven't been to a doctor over it and don't know the extent of what's wrong. I know I don't want a hip replacement though. After the last time I just kept pushing through trying to train heavy and how much I was struggling at work and limping around in my daily life and waking up in pain I decided it was enough.

I think I still might try to do a bench only meet here and there. I love powerlifting and doing meets. But I think my heavy squat and deadlift days are over. Like you said it's just a hobby.

So how are you coping with it and changing your training? I'm doing a John Meadows program currently. Never really done any bodybuilding routines before. It's not as enjoyable, but it's not bad. Doing something different is kind of nice after the last few years of off and on injuries and trying to train around them. I've cut a bunch of weight and been doing more cardio as well. Not sure what I'm going to do after finishing this program in a couple weeks, but I guess try some other non strength focused routines.

Good to see you still around bro. Same boat with squats and deads, just my back. Never specifically hurt it, just overtime like my spine said enough is enough.

I train once a week with a guy who has always done bench only meets by choice. I won't do one but training with him has been fun, gym PR is 450 and have hit 470 off a 2inch block.

 

[barbell001]

Good to see you still around bro. Same boat with squats and deads, just my back. Never specifically hurt it, just overtime like my spine said enough is enough.

I train once a week with a guy who has always done bench only meets by choice. I won't do one but training with him has been fun, gym PR is 450 and have hit 470 off a 2inch block.

Are you training Bench just once a week then bud? You should up it to twice a week and really put in a push with it. If you aren't taxing your back and CNS with squat and deadlift work this is when you can get to your max bench I find. Once I introduce deadlifts into it all my progression becomes half of what it was without them.

This is why I just cannot get my head round how these Elite guys can train squats twice per week, deadlifts once/twice and bench 2 to 3 times and STILL get stronger on ALL lifts!!! How the hell do they do it or is it just their CNS systems are built a lot stronger and recover extremely quickly?

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Good to see you still around bro. Same boat with squats and deads, just my back. Never specifically hurt it, just overtime like my spine said enough is enough.

I train once a week with a guy who has always done bench only meets by choice. I won't do one but training with him has been fun, gym PR is 450 and have hit 470 off a 2inch block.

Good to see you back too. I'm still around lurking mostly and busy with work.

I had dreams of trying to bench 500lbs for awhile when I first got injured. Hit 440lbs in the gym weighing 224lbs about two years ago. Think it was possible had I bulked to 240+, but getting older now and not wanting to walk around that heavy. I'm shooting for 405+ at sub 200lbs now instead.

 

[barbell001]

Good to see you back too. I'm still around lurking mostly and busy with work.

I had dreams of trying to bench 500lbs for awhile when I first got injured. Hit 440lbs in the gym weighing 224lbs about two years ago. Think it was possible had I bulked to 240+, but getting older now and not wanting to walk around that heavy. I'm shooting for 405+ at sub 200lbs now instead.

What are you running to try and do this Perrin? I will try and help you

 

[Hightower]

Good to see you still around bro. Same boat with squats and deads, just my back. Never specifically hurt it, just overtime like my spine said enough is enough.

I train once a week with a guy who has always done bench only meets by choice. I won't do one but training with him has been fun, gym PR is 450 and have hit 470 off a 2inch block.

Unfortunately, it is a pity and very sad when, for health reasons, such exercises can no longer be done. But there are plenty of options to replace if the goal is hypertrophy.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

What are you running to try and do this Perrin? I will try and help you

The 405+ at 198lbs? Gear wise or program wise? I've done 405x1 at around 210lbs a few years ago and 386x1 at 188lbs a few months ago. Shouldn't need much but TRT and a few months of specific training really. Maybe a little var for a boost.

 

[barbell001]

The 405+ at 198lbs? Gear wise or program wise? I've done 405x1 at around 210lbs a few years ago and 386x1 at 188lbs a few months ago. Shouldn't need much but TRT and a few months of specific training really. Maybe a little var for a boost.

I was going to say cycle wise bud but if you already know what you want to run thats cool Have you ever tried MENT before? I did once a few years back but I am convinced with it being an unknown shitty UK lab it wasn't the real deal based on others experiences I have read. It was an Ace/Enth blend which rings alarm bells straight off Lol

I have some MENT ace on the way - I've read tonnes of reviews on the stuff and 2/3 of them say its awesome for strength gain, appetite and size whilst the others say they felt nothing. I've decided to find out for myself as seen as I have read others comments saying that Trenbolone and Dianabol does nothing for strength gain LMAO.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

I was going to say cycle wise bud but if you already know what you want to run thats cool Have you ever tried MENT before? I did once a few years back but I am convinced with it being an unknown shitty UK lab it wasn't the real deal based on others experiences I have read. It was an Ace/Enth blend which rings alarm bells straight off Lol

I have some MENT ace on the way - I've read tonnes of reviews on the stuff and 2/3 of them say its awesome for strength gain, appetite and size whilst the others say they felt nothing. I've decided to find out for myself as seen as I have read others comments saying that Trenbolone and Dianabol does nothing for strength gain LMAO.

I was considering ment a few months ago and ended up doing this test, primo, and hgh blast instead. Got about a month left of that and finishing up this hypertrophy training. Shouldn't have much problem hitting 405lbs on this upcoming cruise. But yeah, I'm still curious about trying ment eventually.

 

[Hightower]

The 405+ at 198lbs? Gear wise or program wise? I've done 405x1 at around 210lbs a few years ago and 386x1 at 188lbs a few months ago. Shouldn't need much but TRT and a few months of specific training really. Maybe a little var for a boost.

Very, very good results, how did you achieve them?

 

[Hightower]

I was going to say cycle wise bud but if you already know what you want to run thats cool Have you ever tried MENT before? I did once a few years back but I am convinced with it being an unknown shitty UK lab it wasn't the real deal based on others experiences I have read. It was an Ace/Enth blend which rings alarm bells straight off Lol

I have some MENT ace on the way - I've read tonnes of reviews on the stuff and 2/3 of them say its awesome for strength gain, appetite and size whilst the others say they felt nothing. I've decided to find out for myself as seen as I have read others comments saying that Trenbolone and Dianabol does nothing for strength gain LMAO.

Very interesting material, worth reading and thinking about. Thanks for the details.