aging and strength
OK, so perhaps you’re asking yourself, "How can she think that at 48 she will be able to exceed her former levels of strength?"
That’s a good question. Indisputably, my body has changed from my mid-’80s peak. Things I notice: I require more recovery time. I have some joint problems (right ankle, lower back) to contend with now, and those problems influence my choice of exercises. For example, I would think long and hard before adding squats and deadlifts to my routine. This forces me to be more creative in designing my workouts.
So as a 48-year-old lifter I focus more on rest and sleep; I can recover from three weight workouts per week but not more; I push myself in the gym, but I back off if I start feeling twinges in shoulders, back, etc. I am more likely to hie myself to the chiropractor or orthopedist if pain is persistent.
In other words, I must listen to my body more carefully than before. But this is not a bad thing.
I am buoyed by studies in which elderly people in nursing homes make large strength gains when they begin to exercise with weights. And anecdotal evidence shows me many older lifters who continue to make gains. Obviously there’s a point at which one’s strength will deteriorate–but that point is much later in life for those who are active.
Finally, I achieved my former personal bests after about three years of consistent lifting. That’s not such a long time. I don’t believe I ever came close to topping out.
We shall see.
Speaking of the older lifter, Dave Draper is a terrific source of inspiration. His e-mail newsletter is the best, and it’s free. I recommend signing up. Just for fun, I ordered an autographed 8 by 10 photo of Dave. I plan to frame it along with the 8 by 10s I have of Lori Bowen (autographed) and Carla Dunlap (not autographed).
Anybody out there remember these women? They had beautiful physiques in the early to mid-’80s, before steroids destroyed the sport of women’s bodybuilding.
