Trouble gaining muscle at age 45

I'm looking for some help with packing on muscle, I've been lifting seriously for over a year now, but the gains are slow, and I was wondering if I should do anything different. I use a powertec leverage machine along with curl bars, and 90 lb powerblock dumbbells. I lift 3 days a week Sunday: Chest 4 exercises of 4 sets each, Triceps 4 exercises of 4 sets each.
Tuesday: Back 4 exercises of 4 sets each, Biceps 4 exercises of 4 sets each.
Thursday: Shoulders 4 exercises of 4 sets each, Legs 3 exercises of 4 sets each.
Calories per day around 2000 weekdays, more on weekends. Supplements: Muscletech protein powder 3 shakes on workout days and 1 on off days with creatine and L-glutamine. Also fishoil pills and glucosimine.

I use the powertec instead of a normal bench because I have no-one to spot me on the heavy stuff.
I've went from 210 to 310 on my bench in just under 11 months.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks pixmakerdave

Compound free weight exercises, doing them on linear progression even better. StrongLifts or Starting Strength are very good beginner programs.
Squat
Bench Press
Rows/Cleans
Overhead Press
Dead lift

Find a gym, people will spot you.

[QUOTE=pixmakerdave;774951503]I'm looking for some help with packing on muscle, I've been lifting seriously for over a year now, but the gains are slow, and I was wondering if I should do anything different. I use a powertec leverage machine along with curl bars, and 90 lb powerblock dumbbells. I lift 3 days a week Sunday: Chest 4 exercises of 4 sets each, Triceps 4 exercises of 4 sets each.
Tuesday: Back 4 exercises of 4 sets each, Biceps 4 exercises of 4 sets each.
Thursday: Shoulders 4 exercises of 4 sets each, Legs 3 exercises of 4 sets each.
Calories per day around 2000 weekdays, more on weekends. Supplements: Muscletech protein powder 3 shakes on workout days and 1 on off days with creatine and L-glutamine. Also fishoil pills and glucosimine.

I use the powertec instead of a normal bench because I have no-one to spot me on the heavy stuff.
I've went from 210 to 310 on my bench in just under 11 months.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks pixmakerdave[/QUOTE]

Ya, you're old, it will take time, i'm 10 yrs younger and seeing slow gains, slow and sure, it will come. Otherwise get your test levels checked.

[QUOTE=noexcusesleft;774954593]Ya, you're old, it will take time, i'm 10 yrs younger and seeing slow gains, slow and sure, it will come. Otherwise get your test levels checked.[/QUOTE]

Who ya calling old? :D

He's still a young whipper snapper!

Real weights and compound exercises are the way to go.

2k cal wont cut it (sounds more like maintenance)...try 2x that

You're expecting rapid muscle gains on 2000 kcal/day? Lmao I really don't know what some of you guys are thinking. Do you think that your body manufactures muscle tissue out of thin air?

[QUOTE=OutOfStep;774988483]You're expecting rapid muscle gains on 2000 kcal/day? Lmao I really don't know what some of you guys are thinking. Do you think that your body manufactures muscle tissue out of thin air?[/QUOTE]

Exactly! You really need to eat more. Preferably real food and less supplements!

[QUOTE=pixmakerdave;774951503]Calories per day around 2000 weekdays, more on weekends. Supplements: Muscletech protein powder 3 shakes on workout days and 1 on off days with creatine and L-glutamine. Also fishoil pills and glucosimine.[/QUOTE]

If you're not gaining weight, [i]you're not eating enough.[/i]

Start here, and put together a real nutrition plan:
*Emma-Leigh's calorie/macro thread: [url]http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703981[/url]


You'd do well to step away from the powders, and fill your protein needs with red meat and other tissue proteins instead.





[QUOTE=OutOfStep;774988483]You're expecting rapid muscle gains on 2000 kcal/day? Lmao I really don't know what some of you guys are thinking. Do you think that your body manufactures muscle tissue out of thin air?[/QUOTE]

^^^^This. If you want to look like a bodybuilder, you're going to have to consistently eat like one.

agreed
dial in your nutrition
I eat more kcals than that when dropping weight

[QUOTE=noexcusesleft;774954593]Ya, you're old, it will take time, i'm 10 yrs younger and seeing slow gains, slow and sure, it will come. Otherwise get your test levels checked.[/QUOTE]Sounds like a convenient excuse for a lack of intensity, discipline, and a good training and diet plan.


"My gains are slow, must be my age.... yeah, that's it.... poor me..." :rolleyes:


There are guys and gals here in their 60's that have crazy mass, shredded cuts, and or both. Check out what [url=http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/yakabebe/][b]this guy[/b][/url] has accomplished in his 60's. A world champion natural bodybuilder who is an inspiration to a lot of us. He didn't let age be an excuse, why should you, or I?

[QUOTE=IronCharles;775116123]Check out what [url=http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/yakabebe/][b]this guy[/b][/url] has accomplished in his 60's. A world champion natural bodybuilder who is an inspiration to a lot of us. He didn't let age be an excuse, why should you, or I?[/QUOTE]

[b]Quoting ^^^^ this to make certain it doesn't get missed.[/b]

May also want to go do some blood work to see where your T levels are

[QUOTE=OutOfStep;774988483]You're expecting rapid muscle gains on 2000 kcal/day? Lmao I really don't know what some of you guys are thinking. Do you think that your body manufactures muscle tissue out of thin air?[/QUOTE]

^^^^

I finally get this. I decided to say bump it and just eat with the goal of gaining mass (even at the cost of adding a little fat). Guess what? I've started to gain mass. My problem has been this fixation on keeping the fat away while still trying to gain muscle. I was defeating myself and going nowhere.

I'll lose the fat later