So, I’ve hit the 50 year landmark. Instead of a progress picture, I decided to mark the occasion with an 8 year “progress” video. No perfect lighting, no cherry picking the best photo, just honest results from many angles, flaws and all.
Before you watch I want to say that, while I’m proud enough of my personal achievements, I’m not a narcissist. With so many bigger, stronger, more aesthetic guys out there…I realize I’m an extremely average dude in a vast sea of lifters. I have no delusions. I have some strengths, and a slew of genetic weaknesses and limitations that I’ve had to come to terms with…just like so many other lifters.
However, I do think I’ve done OK for an older guy who started lifting again at 42 after a 17 year layoff. I hope the fact that I am hopelessly average is a motivational testament to the fact that a guy over 40 CAN in fact make natural muscle gains and improve his physique, health, and wellbeing with bodybuilding techniques.
I will never be the next physique star…but I’m certainly a much better me than I would have been if I did nothing. Thanks for the support and help BB.com, I’m so glad I started lifting again!
Age: 50
Height: 5’ 6 ¾” (although I usually round it up to 5’7”)
Weight Average: 160
Split: Full Body (Personal Designs)
Focus: Hypertrophy, Aesthetics, Health, & Fitness (strength is a nice benefit)
Frequency: Every Other Day (occasional additional day off)
Duration: Approximately 1 hour (Early AM)
So without further ado... the vid…pathetic calves exposed and all!
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Results 1 to 30 of 66
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10-02-2018, 04:26 AM #1Registered User
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50 today! Gaining muscle naturally after 40 (progress video)
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10-02-2018, 05:50 AM #2Crawling back under rock
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"You must spread some reputation around giving it to grubman again".
8 years of hard work and the system won't let me give you a rep for it. Sorry but come back again when you're 58 and I'll try once more
Edit: sorry, completely forgot to say: Happy Birthday!Last edited by OldFartTom; 10-02-2018 at 09:59 AM.
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10-02-2018, 06:15 AM #3Registered User
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Great progress and great results! Getting better every day is what it's all about!
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10-02-2018, 07:20 AM #4Registered User
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Ha ha, deal! I’ll have been retired for 6 months by then, and my gym will probably have expanded to take over the entire basement.Originally Posted by OldFartTom
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10-02-2018, 07:42 AM #5Registered User
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Great job Grub!
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10-02-2018, 08:09 AM #6Registered User
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grubman, the video is awesome and I love the strict form during the exercises! Thanks for your time in filming, editing, and sharing it with us as it sure is some motivation.
And man you look great for any age! I hope to be as lean as you one day and no not huge but that is a pretty damn good physique that most of us can aspire to because the average guy is not going to look like a stage bodybuilder regardless.
Of course it won't let me rep you either but serious props.Bodybuilding is much more than an hour in the gym a few days a week---it's a lifestyle that changes all your perceptions about how to live, eat, and rest. It feeds the mind as much (and sometimes more so) than the body.
~Originally posted by ironwill2008
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10-02-2018, 08:13 AM #7Registered User
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Oh, and I have to laugh at the 5'-6 3/4" but you usually round up to 5'7. I am the same and it's a standing joke with my wife who is a full 5'-9 that if she would have known that I wasn't actually 5'-7 she wouldn't have married me, ha!
Bodybuilding is much more than an hour in the gym a few days a week---it's a lifestyle that changes all your perceptions about how to live, eat, and rest. It feeds the mind as much (and sometimes more so) than the body.
~Originally posted by ironwill2008
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10-02-2018, 08:23 AM #8Registered User
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Great job, grubman! and Happy Birthday!
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10-02-2018, 08:24 AM #9Registered User
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Thanks
Yeah, ha ha. It’s funny, but I never realized I was “short” (or that anyone even cared) in most people’s minds until after my divorce and I started computer dating. I guess it never inhibited me from doing anything, so I never put much thought into it...still don’t, really. Can do the same things as a tall guy, and burn less calories doing it...sounds more efficient to meOriginally Posted by tblodg15
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10-02-2018, 08:27 AM #10Registered User
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Originally Posted by 66rogue66
Originally Posted by shaneinga
Thanks, thanks, thanks! Should be a great day of inspired reflection...just wish it was a workout day with all this energy instead of a stupid rest day, ha ha.Originally Posted by 5penn
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10-02-2018, 08:32 AM #11Registered User
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Oh, and happy birthday!
Bodybuilding is much more than an hour in the gym a few days a week---it's a lifestyle that changes all your perceptions about how to live, eat, and rest. It feeds the mind as much (and sometimes more so) than the body.
~Originally posted by ironwill2008
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10-02-2018, 08:37 AM #12maybenotabot
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Attaway Grubman!
and you're no average dude.
and Happy Birthday!
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10-02-2018, 09:08 AM #13Registered User
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Happy birthday Grubman , very inspirational specially as i also turned 50 this year ...just can kick myself that i only started now but at least looking at your video gives me hope that it can be done
My Personal mottos
Do the correct form and don't stroke your ego lifting heavier with bad form.
Stay of a bloody scale and concentrate on measuring tape to see progress.
No one can make you mad it is your choice if you want to get mad.
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10-02-2018, 09:15 AM #14Registered User
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Thanks! ...and, that’s what she saidOriginally Posted by ChazWood
Don’t kick yourself, just be happy you didn’t wait any longer! Wish I would have started again sooner, or never stopped, but, meh...that’s the past nowOriginally Posted by Time-Man
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10-02-2018, 09:15 AM #15Registered User
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Congratulations!
Nice work!At age 64, I've exceeded all my prior PRs. Not “over the hill” yet. :)
My workout journal is here:
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=176385621
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10-02-2018, 11:17 AM #16Lean Mean Geek Machine
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Happy Birthday, Grub!
Really impressive job there. You put on more muscle in your first year than I have in 7. Your arms look huge! Looks like we both started around the same time. I'm turning 55 on Saturday, and will try to make sure to get some pictures to post as well.
p.s. Is that a Star Wars shirt right before the end?
Peace: Lift Long and Prosper!
Alamagan Dgan - and proud of it!
Lean, mean, geek machine
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10-02-2018, 11:31 AM #17temporary illusion
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Happy Birthday. I hope you realize that 50 is ****ing young! A rest day from lifting weights is an opportunity to swing a kettlebell.Originally Posted by grubman
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10-02-2018, 11:51 AM #18Registered User
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Great work and happy Bday!
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10-02-2018, 11:52 AM #19Humble Megalomaniac
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Happy birthday Grubman! After seeing the video and reading your post carefully, I can see only one area that you’re still deficient in:
You need some delusions!
Take it from a humble megalomaniac, you have a hell of a lot to be proud of. And you’ll be smashing it at 60, too!“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.”
-Voltaire
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10-02-2018, 12:14 PM #20Registered User
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That was good. You've built a great physique. Thanks for sharing.
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10-02-2018, 12:33 PM #21Clearly Irrational
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Great job, you certainly don't look scrawny any more!
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10-02-2018, 01:17 PM #22Registered User
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awesome stuff, Grubman - inspirational!! Happy bday mate and all the best!!
Cheers,
Bill K
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10-02-2018, 01:24 PM #23
Happy bday! Hope your letting your self have a cheat day! Cake plans later?
Awesome video, just proves hard work pays off! It’s refreshing to see someone who really made huge changes!!SuperHercules crew
cancer survivor crew
Dyslexic crew
Friend of Mr.Wilson crew
Ugly and old cell crew
Cat crew
Insomniac crew
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10-02-2018, 03:55 PM #24Registered User
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Ah well, it may not be a lifting day but instead get some 'cardio' with the significant otherOriginally Posted by grubman
Happy birthday, and nice video!!
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10-02-2018, 04:10 PM #25Registered User
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Congrats man!
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10-02-2018, 04:11 PM #26In search of V-Taper
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On spread.
Cool video and the results speak for themselves. Congrats, here's to the next 10 years...
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10-02-2018, 04:27 PM #27Registered User
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Thank you sir!Originally Posted by HomeGymChains
Long time no see (on the forum proper, anyway) Doc. A guy so ripped he makes Clarence Bass look fat should never act like he hasn’t accomplished a ton in his own, old age, ha ha. I’ll be looking forward to those pics!Originally Posted by DocHoss
Happy Birthday, Grub!
Really impressive job there. You put on more muscle in your first year than I have in 7. Your arms look huge! Looks like we both started around the same time. I'm turning 55 on Saturday, and will try to make sure to get some pictures to post as well.
p.s. Is that a Star Wars shirt right before the end?
Of course that’s a Star Wars shirt (one of many). You know this Adonis of an outer shell surrounds the brain of a nerd
Oddly enough, I do. I’m a little stiff after a long car ride or when I roll out of bed, but most of the time I don’t feel much different than I have in decades. Won’t catch me complaining about being oldOriginally Posted by supramax
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Thanks. When do I get to start calling you a whippersnapper?Originally Posted by Plateauplower
Thank you pops, I certainly hope so. You are an inspiration to me, always have been.Originally Posted by ElrondHubbard
Thank you...anytime. Ha ha, I have a whole bunch of full clips that I pieced that video together from. I figured two minutes was egotistical enough. The full 6 hour special edition will be out on Blu-ray soon.Originally Posted by drkelly74
Thanks...I a medium sized T-shirt is still a little “baggy” though...but at least smalls are too tight.Originally Posted by blue9steel
Thank you very muchOriginally Posted by BillPhoto
Thank you. I can’t tell a lie...every dinner is a cheat meal. I keep pretty good tabs on protien, and a running total of calories the first half of the day...but for dinner I just eat whatever we are having, in reasonable moderation (of course, I do all the cooking anyway). Not a big fan of cake, but we had strawberry shortcake last night and will have cheesecake tonight.Originally Posted by snailsrus
Gaining weight is a challenge, but on the flip side, a high metabolism and a super active daily job means as long as I eat healthy and in moderation, I don’t have to cheat...and since I’ll never be competing in a contest (like you, very nice by the way), I can eat cake on everyone’s birthday
I’m a gentleman, I don’t kiss and tell...Originally Posted by gipper53
Ah well, it may not be a lifting day but instead get some 'cardio' with the significant other !
...;D
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10-02-2018, 04:30 PM #28High Plains Lifter
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Great accomplishments. Happy Birthday, McGruber
Helping one person may not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.
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10-02-2018, 04:35 PM #29Registered User
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Originally Posted by DCSpartan
Originally Posted by ectoBgone
Thanks, thanks, thanks...yes, 10 more years! I don’t think I can take the natural over 50 Wisconsin from the reigning champ...but maybe the over 60 in 10 more yearsOriginally Posted by Mark1T
Great accomplishments. Happy Birthday, McGruber
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10-02-2018, 05:20 PM #30Da1UnV
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Happy bday brother, keep on keeping on!!
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