Training and aging.

[bodyhard]

Its a given we all respond different to training as well as aging, but is it really that much of a difference? I mean we are all mammals correct?

Reason why I say this is because last night I was in a group (of 5, 6 with me ) discussion, all of us around the same age by 1 year or 3 at most. The topic was stiffness aches and pains and how training relieves these pains or slows them down.

Now I for one at 49 do not have any of these "symptoms" and I attributed it to training all my life, yet there was 2 guys in the crowd who have been training just as long as I have and both stated that training all those years have actually made them have joint pains due to wear and tear. While the other guys said that training later in life has helped relieve the pains and stiffness they have along with some over the counter prescriptions.

They did not believe me for one second that I did not have any of these "symptoms" they said comes with age....and we went back ad fourth.

So how different can I be from the other 5 dudes?? I mean seriously?

How many of you have no pains stiffness in your joints, back, neck, shoulders etc etc?

And how long have you been training and has it helped or made it worse?

I am curious to know and need a wider audience.

[pastorgbc]

Its a given we all respond different to training as well as aging, but is it really that much of a difference? I mean we are all mammals correct?

Reason why I say this is because last night I was in a group (of 5, 6 with me ) discussion, all of us around the same age by 1 year or 3 at most. The topic was stiffness aches and pains and how training relieves these pains or slows them down.

Now I for one at 49 do not have any of these "symptoms" and I attributed it to training all my life, yet there was 2 guys in the crowd who have been training just as long as I have and both stated that training all those years have actually made them have joint pains due to wear and tear. While the other guys said that training later in life has helped relieve the pains and stiffness they have along with some over the counter prescriptions.

They did not believe me for one second that I did not have any of these "symptoms" they said comes with age....and we went back ad fourth.

So how different can I be from the other 5 dudes?? I mean seriously?

How many of you have no pains stiffness in your joints, back, neck, shoulders etc etc?

And how long have you been training and has it helped or made it worse?

I am curious to know and need a wider audience.

John, I think you are 100% right when you say that being at our age and having worked out a long time makes a big difference as to what hinders you, makes you complain, and makes you hold back. Not only that, but the lifestyle makes my quality of life much better than that of most of the guys my age. I still run, play basketball, and most anything else I feel like doing.

I won't say that I am not pain free or without stiffness in the morning, but it all goes away with moving around. Given the work schedule at my new job, I have taken to working out at 0530 and I am experiencing some of the best workouts of my life. What do I think are the keys:

1. First and foremost is dedicating my life to God and Christ.
2. I don't drink or smoke.
3. I am conscious of and account for the food I eat.
4. When I hit the gym I go hard and heavy. Corollary: I have no fear of performing different lifts and testing myself with poundage. This is the number one thing I see with the newbie posters; they seem terrified to do as much as they can. A guy who has been working out for a month is worried about over-training? Really?
5. Squats. This is a use-it-or-lose-it move.
6. Run full speed and jump whenever you can. These are use-it-or-lose-it as well.
7. Cherishing the love of beautiful and good woman.

The more you do, the more you will be able to do.

Here's to another 30 years or so of killing it.

Ray

[Plateauplower]

I think a lot of it has to do with genetics too. Some people are blessed with better conective tissue. There is also the workout form aspect. The guys that train hard and heavy and contiue to use good form are more likely to remain relatively pain free than the ego driven lifting too heavy for proper form group. When I was in my 20s I fell into the latter group and frequently had bouts with elbow, shoulder, and knee pain. I have decided that I can leave my ego at the door now that Im in my mid 30s. I still lift heavy as I can but without sacrificing strict form. I keenly remeber doing skull crushers with elbows slipping out wide, benching higher poundages than I should have just becuase I could etc. I have larger bone structure (wrist, ankle etc sizes) and I think that larger boned people might have a bit of an advantage in terms of connective tissue durability (at least it makes sense from a biomechanical standpoint that larger bones will have more connective tissue possibly better blood supply to connective tissue).

[wadboram]

For me as a preventive measure and to reduce joint pain, I usually consume glucosmine and vitamin C caps daily.
As I'm turning 36, definitely I'm not like in early twenties in terms of weight lifting. I'm having somehow knee pain and slight elbow problems. Though, I'm now much more experienced in weight lifting and don't have that big ego about lifting big weights to have the attention.
Bottom line, age MUST have a negative effect on body but working out is better than being lazy.

[StressMonkey]

A lot of people I know who are my age who aren't active act like they're falling apart already. I don't have any pain issues whatsoever. I sometimes wonder if lifting has anything to do with that.

[ShreddySmurf]

I'm only 35, but I don't have any aches or pains that I consider to be age-related, and I'm hoping that my commitment to training and healthier living will pay dividends in the long run.

I've been doing a lot of training with guys 10-15 years younger than me since the beginning of this year when I started doing Crossfit workouts. I don't see myself as "old" compared to them, I just get on with it (and there are other guys my age, or older, as well). I'm not sure if it takes me longer to recover than it used to when I was in my 20s, I think that depends more on what I'm eating and how much I'm resting. Overall my strength and fitness stacks up pretty well compared to guys a decade younger than me, but I'm no top athlete: just working on self-improvement.

I did have some lower back pain a couple of years ago, but losing a pile of fat and doing regular deadlifts and rows has seen that disappear completely. YMMV.

[DuracellBunny]

I think the "age" argument is a confusing one in many cases and should be replaced by number of years training. The longer somebody has been training, the higher the statistical probability of injury occuring. Lots of things effect the levels on incidence; diet, correct form etc, but most important is knowledge.

Learning what works for us as individuals is one of the most improtant lessons that we ever learn as resistance trainers. Do we respond better to high or low rep, high or low frequency or any number of other things? Somebody who employees a training regimen that is designed from an informed position to suit their individual physiology is not going to encounter as many aches and pains as somebody following a regimen that they don't really understand simply because they were told it was good.

[ljimd]

Staying in shape seems to help with the age pains.

[Plateauplower]

A lot of people I know who are my age who aren't active act like they're falling apart already. I don't have any pain issues whatsoever. I sometimes wonder if lifting has anything to do with that.

I can promise you that it does. When I was on my decade long fat and lazy kick I frequently had low back pain, knee pain, and if I did do something active like a football game or outdoor actvity my joints would ache for days, my diet was also awful so im sure that played a part too.

[Tyrbolift]

John, 56 with almost 40 years with the iron. My keys:

1. Everything in moderation, with "consistency" the one backbone that I rarely compromise.
2. Powerlifting (strength) vs bodybuilding (size, detail, conditioning). Do it all, and in nearly every workout.
3. Balance and equality with regards to bodypart splits, keeping an eye on hereditary weaknesses and strengths. 4. Taking a sudden, unplanned rest day is a legitimate, proactive bodybuilding strategy.
5. Muscle memory is very real. Use it when returning to the lifestyle after both forced or voluntary breaks.
6. Even with this careful, thoughtful and consistent approach, I discovered that right at about 50, "s... happens" that are unavoidable. Strength, endurance, and coordination plateaued.Things like assuming a full standing position from lying or kneeling on the ground became difficult. Using ladders required more concentration.

Accept it, live with it, make small changes in your fitness regimen from time to time to accomodate it. Buy a stretchy velcro lower back support/assist/brace and continue enjoying sports, hobbies, and activities that make your life, and loved ones' lives worth living.

Lastly, just to add, it's not only about being buff/jacked and capable for your ego and self-image. On one fateful day 17 years ago, it helped save my life and others' lives when my community suffered a major natural disaster

http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-...ng-creek-basin

14.5 inches of rain fell in 31 hours on a Monday, after a relatively wet weekend, and a flash flood swept through my trailer park, killing 5. Due to my lifetime devotion to fitness, I was still able to pull 2 teenage girls to safety while carrying my cat as I fled my own mobile home just before it was carried away along with my car.

[Mike Spitzer]

Genetics combined with a lifetime of experiences over half a century or so results in a radical difference in a person's condition in terms of aches, pains, etc...

I always use this example in discussing this topic with people --
Remember the guy who played Coach on the TV show CHEERS ........ he was 61
Now look at Sly Stallone at age 67

A WORLD of difference !

Being in my 50s myself now --- this topic of how fit we can remain as we age is a top interest and focus of mine.

[ajdahlheimer]

I always use this example in discussing this topic with people --
Remember the guy who played Coach on the TV show CHEERS ........ he was 61
Now look at Sly Stallone at age 67
A WORLD of difference !

I see/agree with your point, but let's not pretend Stallone is anyway natural. i.e. plastic surgery and PEDs.

He would look good w/o them probably (lots better than Coach, lol), but there are better examples than him in my opinion....

[WBNATL]

I believe that there are many factors that can affect you as you get older, genetics, previous injuries, improper form and trying to lift beyond what you can actually handle.
I'm in my mid 40's and I do get lower back pain occasionally. I assume that it has something to do with an injury that I experienced in my 30's while squatting a ton of weight.
The body is going to eventually wear down...I am aware of that. But I strongly believe that working out has reduced being exposed to other aches, pains and other injuries or the years. As I have gotten older, I workout much smarter than I did when I was in my early 30's. The last thing I want to do at this point of like is be slowed down by an injury that would prevent me working out and competing.
I do supplement with Omega 3, Glutazorb, Multi-Vitamin and a Joint Rehab for preventative purposes....which I'm sure has also been a huge factor for me not experiencing severe aches and pains over the years and now.

[hmmmm16417]

2. I don't smoke.
3. I am conscious of and account for the food I eat.
5. EVERYTHING is a use-it-or-lose-it move.

The more you do, the more you will be able to do.

^^this^^(edited)

I am a huge believer in "use it or lose it"!!!
My theory is if it hurts because you haven't used it in a while, that's your body telling you to use it more!

I constantly hear people say "I'd work out but I just don't have the energy" or "I don't have the time" or "I can't do that anymore because it hurts the next day" or "the last time I did that I injured myself"

They just don't believe you that if you DO work out, you WILL have more energy, you WILL sleep better, you WILL want (and have time) to exercise instead of watching tv or playing on an iPad, you WILL be able to do more activities without pain the next day and you WILL be able to avoid injury

It takes a while to get back into it, but once you reach the point of feeling guilty for missing a workout....you will so much better off than the "other guys your age" that you can run circles around.

[Phattso]

John, IMO, those guys who think their pains are a result of their training for many years, are simply wrong. Unless, they did not know how to train and were injured.

If I hurt somewhere, I don't blame age or that my body is worn down. I just use an alternative exercise or back off a little. But, I never ever quit.

[bodyhard]

I dunno guys I just don't have any stiffness/joint pain at all. I think I am just weird or maybe too stupid to realize I am almost 50 and I should feel something

[sumolgi]

In that demographic, I'd chalk it up to life experience pretty much. I'm in your group of 2 and I truly believe it was just the accumulation of damage from renting myself out as a bipedal pack mule for 20 some years. Compare your work histories. The people with physically demanding jobs who only get paid if they work are the ones that really find this trouble later in life. My $.02

[x-trainer ben]

Its a given we all respond different to training as well as aging, but is it really that much of a difference? I mean we are all mammals correct?

Reason why I say this is because last night I was in a group (of 5, 6 with me ) discussion, all of us around the same age by 1 year or 3 at most. The topic was stiffness aches and pains and how training relieves these pains or slows them down.

Now I for one at 49 do not have any of these "symptoms" and I attributed it to training all my life, yet there was 2 guys in the crowd who have been training just as long as I have and both stated that training all those years have actually made them have joint pains due to wear and tear. While the other guys said that training later in life has helped relieve the pains and stiffness they have along with some over the counter prescriptions.

They did not believe me for one second that I did not have any of these "symptoms" they said comes with age....and we went back ad fourth.

So how different can I be from the other 5 dudes?? I mean seriously?

How many of you have no pains stiffness in your joints, back, neck, shoulders etc etc?

And how long have you been training and has it helped or made it worse?

I am curious to know and need a wider audience.

1. The symptoms that come with age really are determined by how well you take care of yourself along the way
2. You can be very different, i just met up with 5 high school friends for dinner and only 2 of us look like we exercise regularly. Don't forget that many folks are on meds which have a long list of sides(joint pain/aches)
3. i am 95% pain free most of the year, recently i irritated an old rotator cuff issue from my 20's( max out benching) but it is almost gone now
4. Training makes everything better; i am convinced of this! (ages 15-43)

[pastorgbc]

In that demographic, I'd chalk it up to life experience pretty much. I'm in your group of 2 and I truly believe it was just the accumulation of damage from renting myself out as a bipedal pack mule for 20 some years. Compare your work histories. The people with physically demanding jobs who only get paid if they work are the ones that really find this trouble later in life. My $.02

I am sorry if you got some issues going on, but I know many people who break their backs for a living, work out, and have great energy and are pain free. This past weekend, I helped a friend of mine demolish his mother's garage and carry the trash away. He is 6 years my senior and worked all his life as a welder: walking steel, working derricks, and welding on the pipeline. He works out hard as well. He did circles around me and was enjoying himself. The next day, he went out and did a 12 hour shift. It is all what you put into it and how you take care of yourself.

Ray

[strongpath]

41-45 didn't set foot in a gym - developed all kinds of pains, low back, shoulders etc. 45- to now have been consistently training. After the initial discomfort associated with the shift from sedentary to regular lifter, all joint and low back pain has resolved itself. Bottom line: being sedentary and not training sped up the aging process. Weight training with proper form and sufficient time for recovery is the best "anti-aging" joint health prescription I have personally experienced. Recently a much younger colleague who had simply assumed we were in a similar age bracket was so incredulous when I told her I was almost 50, she jokingly demanded to see my drivers' license as proof. But its training + proper nutrition that delivers the 1-2 punch that maximizes our overall health. If you train and you eat like most people won't, then you will have mental and physical energy that most people don't. This includes your buddies who train hard but use it as excuse to eat junk and wash it down with six-pack, undermining their training and themselves.

[Plateauplower]

In that demographic, I'd chalk it up to life experience pretty much. I'm in your group of 2 and I truly believe it was just the accumulation of damage from renting myself out as a bipedal pack mule for 20 some years. Compare your work histories. The people with physically demanding jobs who only get paid if they work are the ones that really find this trouble later in life. My $.02

I agree to an extent, however I do occupational safety for a living. I see a lot of work related injuries in building trades workers (pipefitters, carpenters, plumbers, iron workers, laborers etc). To that end, most of the injuries occur in the segment of workers who are in poor physical condition. The guys that obviously workout I rarely see with any injury. Further, most back and shoulder injuries are acute injuries that result from a single action, often using poor body mechanics or trying to lift something too heavy or awkward. There is no doubt there is potential for repatative use injuries in any physical job, but they are rare with exception of carpal tunnel and trigger finger in some highly repatative tasks. The guys that strength train regularly, and keep themsleves in generally in a decent body composition tend to fair much better in terms of the work related injuries that I see.

[SuperZar]

John, IMO, those guys who think their pains are a result of their training for many years, are simply wrong. Unless, they did not know how to train and were injured.

Certainly agree with this. I remember reading an article where Frank Zane blamed all his current joint/arthritis issues on heavy lifting in his younger days. However I know plenty of people with the same issues - and worst - hip /knee replacements that have never exercised nor been seriously injured. That being said, I do have some lingering pains in certain areas that were definitely caused by careless lifting in the past (leftover scar tissue) ... the irony is that many of these pains have subsided about 95% since starting to lift seriously a few months ago!

[sumolgi]

I agree to an extent, however I do occupational safety for a living. I see a lot of work related injuries in building trades workers (pipefitters, carpenters, plumbers, iron workers, laborers etc). To that end, most of the injuries occur in the segment of workers who are in poor physical condition. The guys that obviously workout I rarely see with any injury. Further, most back and shoulder injuries are acute injuries that result from a single action, often using poor body mechanics or trying to lift something too heavy or awkward. There is no doubt there is potential for repatative use injuries in any physical job, but they are rare with exception of carpal tunnel and trigger finger in some highly repatative tasks. The guys that strength train regularly, and keep themsleves in generally in a decent body composition tend to fair much better in terms of the work related injuries that I see.

Hmmm, maybe it was just the industries I've been involved with then. Generally, if you weren't in shape, you were gone by lunch so that really didn't apply to anyone who lasted a week. And it's pretty rare that I run into anyone I logged with that doesn't at least have some arthritis in the hands or knee/back issues, and most of the cutters have varying degrees of white finger. I don't think anyone was setting chokers on a high lead in their forties either. Running through blowdown with 200# of crap on your back takes a toll.

[SuperZar]

I dunno guys I just don't have any stiffness/joint pain at all. I think I am just weird or maybe too stupid to realize I am almost 50 and I should feel something

Most people who experience stiffness/joint pain can blame osteoarthritis for this. I remember reading an article once that stated that 95-98% of people over age 60 have some form of it. You could simply have a very mild case of it in certain areas ... or one of the lucky few % with none.

[bodyhard]

Well I am not over 60 so lol

[SuperZar]

The people with physically demanding jobs who only get paid if they work are the ones that really find this trouble later in life. My $.02

I believe that is possible depending on the actual work done. Traumatic and repetitive injuries are know to be catalysts for osteoarthritis in many people later on in life. Many jobs are physically demanding, but not that physically repetitive.

[SuperZar]

Well I am not over 60 so lol

Yes I noticed, but it looks like you're gonna be on of the lucky ones. Heck, I've got arthritis up and down my spine and I'm younger than you!

[Plateauplower]

Hmmm, maybe it was just the industries I've been involved with then. Generally, if you weren't in shape, you were gone by lunch so that really didn't apply to anyone who lasted a week. And it's pretty rare that I run into anyone I logged with that doesn't at least have some arthritis in the hands or knee/back issues, and most of the cutters have varying degrees of white finger. I don't think anyone was setting chokers on a high lead in their forties either. Running through blowdown with 200# of crap on your back takes a toll.

Yes that is a different line of work than what I deal with. Running vibrating equipment ie chainsaws, jackhammers, concrete vibrators etc can cause some issues when done frequently. I would guess that most logging injuries are acute rather than chronic though, and that data is public in labor statistics. However that line of work is one with many unreported injuries due to smaller company sizes (no obligation to OSHA under 15 people). I can tell you overwelmingly though across all occupations the person who keeps themselves in good physical condition is going to have fewer injuries. This topic has been beat to death in occupational safety - In Japan they pull factory workers in to do mandatory Calisthenics and they dont have near injury rates or the obesity issues we have here. Yes logging has a large number of mechanical injuries, the stronger, quicker logger would always be better off, at least you would be able to get out of the way when a log comes barreling down the hill at ya.

[weiss1967]

I am with BH on this issue, d not have any joints issues. Perhps this is rather difference in diet than genetics. I never believed in low fat fods being healthy. I heard frequent warnings about this "wear and tear" in regards to my training, but all is fine. In fact, I am still improving my cardio performance along with lifts. Considering all the mountain hikes that I do, and backpack weights, my knees should have fallen off already.

[sumolgi]

Yes that is a different line of work than what I deal with. Running vibrating equipment ie chainsaws, jackhammers, concrete vibrators etc can cause some issues when done frequently. I would guess that most logging injuries are acute rather than chronic though, and that data is public in labor statistics. However that line of work is one with many unreported injuries due to smaller company sizes (no obligation to OSHA under 15 people). I can tell you overwelmingly though across all occupations the person who keeps themselves in good physical condition is going to have fewer injuries. This topic has been beat to death in occupational safety - In Japan they pull factory workers in to do mandatory Calisthenics and they dont have near injury rates or the obesity issues we have here. Yes logging has a large number of mechanical injuries, the stronger, quicker logger would always be better off, at least you would be able to get out of the way when a log comes barreling down the hill at ya.

The crux of it is that you never really get time to fully recover when you're in some of these occupations and there comes a time when the nagging little stuff becomes mechanical issues even with the fit over the course of a life.