51 today! 9 years under the rack!

[HomeGymChains]

Excellent work!!!

[NerdyLady]

Happy birthday. Enjoy that gift you bought for yourself. Looks like a good addition to a gym.

[ElrondHubbard]

Happy birthday, G-man! You look really good, and I think you're one of the smartest lifters around here. You've learned a lot, and you share it well. Thanks!

[grubman]

Thanks guys...it was a pretty awesome birthday.

Happy birthday, G-man! You look really good, and I think you're one of the smartest lifters around here. You've learned a lot, and you share it well. Thanks!

I agree! Er....I mean, get outta here!

Thanks, that’s what a community is fore, sharing ideas and experiences. I’ve learned just as much from you and many others here. We’re all in this getting older thing together

[tblodg15]

Happy birthday Grub. Your arms are what standout to me (reps on spread).

That little video wasn’t playing for me when I first checked this thread. Then last night when I clicked on it the video played and I agree those arms are looking huge!

On a little side note, I just realized that I am one of the few guys on the O35 forum who post update or progress pics with a full body shot doing a normal bodybuilding pose. I guess I am weird but it seems like the thing to do for me to document my physique but it must not be the natural thought for most guys. Not saying others should do as me it just kind of dawned on me that I am doing it differently than most others.

[grubman]

That little video wasn’t playing for me when I first checked this thread. Then last night when I clicked on it the video played and I agree those arms are looking huge!

On a little side note, I just realized that I am one of the few guys on the O35 forum who post update or progress pics with a full body shot doing a normal bodybuilding pose. I guess I am weird but it seems like the thing to do for me to document my physique but it must not be the natural thought for most guys. Not saying others should do as me it just kind of dawned on me that I am doing it differently than most others.

I think I have descent arms...but have to confess, I just worked out arms and was pumped...and they say video adds 10 pounds, so...

I do take shots in the compulsory poses for myself...but I don’t like them. Too much time to notice all the weaknesses and imbalances (genetic or otherwise), ha ha. Not to mention, the six 100 watt lightbulbs in my gym make it impossible to get descent lighting.

If I was planning on ever competing, I would place much more stock in those pics...but since I don’t walk around doing, say, side chest shots, it doesn’t matter, ha ha. IMHO, guys like you who can look consistently good in the compulsory poses are the guys who should compete.

[DCSpartan]

Congrats man! Your dedication and effort is inspiring.

[HomeGymChains]

On a little side note, I just realized that I am one of the few guys on the O35 forum who post update or progress pics with a full body shot doing a normal bodybuilding pose. I guess I am weird but it seems like the thing to do for me to document my physique but it must not be the natural thought for most guys. Not saying others should do as me it just kind of dawned on me that I am doing it differently than most others.

Well, just speaking for myself, I don’t look good. You guys do. Mirin.

[induced_drag]

Very nice man. Happy b day. Consistency and effort show for sure! Great overall physique for sure. Very few people are as well balanced and the work over time shows for sure!

Nice work

[grubman]

Thanks again for all the Happy Birthdays and compliments. Here’s hoping for another adventurous year under the iron!

[tblodg15]

IMHO, guys like you who can look consistently good in the compulsory poses are the guys who should compete.

I have no desire to actually step on a stage. But in the back of my mind I did have a thought that it might be neat if we could pick a natural event somewhere between Wisconsin and Ohio and both of us entered for our first ever competition.

I am probably not big enough to do it but it would be solely for the experience. I have not attended a show since I was in high school but I did look up pics from a recent show close to home and the 50+ class had a few huge dudes! As in maybe beyond natural huge or at a minimum "lifting for 30 years" huge that I am not even close to. Oh well, doesn't matter as it is not something I plan to do but it has at least crossed my mind.

[grubman]

I have no desire to actually step on a stage. But in the back of my mind I did have a thought that it might be neat if we could pick a natural event somewhere between Wisconsin and Ohio and both of us entered for our first ever competition.

I am probably not big enough to do it but it would be solely for the experience. I have not attended a show since I was in high school but I did look up pics from a recent show close to home and the 50+ class had a few huge dudes! As in maybe beyond natural huge or at a minimum "lifting for 30 years" huge that I am not even close to. Oh well, doesn't matter as it is not something I plan to do but it has at least crossed my mind.

I don't really have a real desire to ever compete. I did when I was a kid, because at that time I assumed I’d look like Frank Zane after 5 years (a lifetime at that age) of lifting. Sometimes I feel like I SHOULD do 1 competition, just so can add some justification to all this lifting...but that also seems like a silly and wrong reason.

Even so, every time the thought crosses my mind I think about all the weaknesses and flaws I see, that any trained judge would see, and I really don’t have the desire to be critiqued on them.

Also, at our age, placing is so random and irrelevant. I could show up for two shows in the exact same shape and come in first in one because the competition is lame, or come in last at the second because the competition is much better....did I look any different? Did I not do the best I could in both shows? Yet one has me bragging, and another has me deflated. I guess waving around a first place trophy if only one other fat or out of shape old dude shows up isn’t going to give me any new sense of pride either, like seems to be the case in a lot of over 50 categories.

I dunno...I really don’t have the desire, and don’t see it in the cards.

But I certainly wouldn’t mind working out with you some time, if our paths ever cross.

[weiss1967]

happy BD man, can't rep - on spread - rep-less. Awesome pictures, thank you for sharing.

[tblodg15]

I don't really have a real desire to ever compete.

Also, at our age, placing is so random and irrelevant.

Besides the random level of competition at our age the subjective judging is a large reason why I also never thought seriously about competing. I am not and have never been into powerlifting but at least there you aren’t leaving your placing up to a judges opinion.

And to be honest I obviously really appreciate a muscular and lean look but I don’t care for the extreme dieting and shredded look needed to do well in natural bodybuilding. To me most of them end up looking depleted and stringy and I think a natural pro looks better a few months before their competition or even during their off season.

Sorry I side tracked your post a little, happy birthday again

[grubman]

Besides the random level of competition at our age the subjective judging is a large reason why I also never thought seriously about competing. I am not and have never been into powerlifting but at least there you aren’t leaving your placing up to a judges opinion.

And to be honest I obviously really appreciate a muscular and lean look but I don’t care for the extreme dieting and shredded look needed to do well in natural bodybuilding. To me most of them end up looking depleted and stringy and I think a natural pro looks better a few months before their competition or even during their off season.

Sorry I side tracked your post a little, happy birthday again

Good conversation is why I come here, not a sidetrack.

[sunsean]

Happy Birthday, grubman! And keep up the grind, you look great. Tried to rep but on spread.

Got the big 4-0 coming up myself and hoping to celebrate it looking half as good as you!

[VIshvamithra]

Awesome!

[NinaB55]

Happy Birthday, Grubman!

Wishing you many more happy years ahead.

Just seeing this. I should come to this section more often.

All the best.

[grubman]

Happy Birthday, Grubman!

Wishing you many more happy years ahead.

Just seeing this. I should come to this section more often.

All the best.

Thank you...and yes you should . The over 35 isn’t as active, but the atmosphere is a lot friendlier and (most of) the posters have more wisdom. Your knowledge and experience (and opinions) would be most welcome here.

[Cass40]

Aw you look nice. Happy birthday.

[Spankuh]

Happy late Bday! Been away from here for a little while and missed the day. You certainly are an inspiration, especially for us old geezers.

[grubman]

Thanks guys

[Corbets]

Haven’t browsed the forums for a few weeks, so... happy belated birthday! Looking great!

[grubman]

Haven’t browsed the forums for a few weeks, so... happy belated birthday! Looking great!

Thanks.

Haven’t been on the forums much myself...no knock to the over 35, but this once thriving community has been sort of dying off...and most of the rest of the forums have gone to chit. . Used to come on the forums every morning to get psyched for my workouts.

[weiss1967]

Thanks.

Haven’t been on the forums much myself...no knock to the over 35, but this once thriving community has been sort of dying off...and most of the rest of the forums have gone to chit. . Used to come on the forums every morning to get psyched for my workouts.

some degradation was inevitable with our best raving lunatics being either banned or leaving. I miss John, the guy with brain tumor.

[BackwoodsGa]

I’m 51 today and I’ve been back in the gym for 9 years now. This is officially 1 year longer than I lifted in my teens and twenties so long ago...with no end in sight.

On my birthday I like to reflect on what I learned over the last year (about lifting and my body), and I feel this year was pivotal, since I have DEFINITELY noticed a change, and made some adjustments to my training methods and philosophies.

But first...my “official” 51 years old picture. This is the first time I’m using a picture taken outside the gym, and not pumped up. Great lighting in the bathroom, and this is a much more realistic picture of what I look like day to day.



FOOD

This year I finally stopped the calorie surplus/deficit cycle. It hasn’t been productive for me for some time. Eating more just leads to fat, and a deficit just gets me back to where I was. It’s too much work and sacrifice for minor progress.

This year I mainly focused on eating better, and getting much more fruits and vegetables in my diet. I ate to a comfort level (maintenance) and just let my my body re-comp at its own pace. My weight throughout the year fluctuated between 153 and 160 with an average of about 157. I ended the year at approximately the same weight, with much more definition and aesthetics. So I call it a win.

TRAINING

Where to start? There were a number of things I wanted to experiment with, ideas I had, and things I wanted to implement. It took me about 4 months before I had everything in place, and I’ve been working the same routine for about 8 months with only minor modifications.

To be honest, it would raise some eyebrows among traditionalists. If a newbie showed me the program I’ve developed, I’d think he was crazy...but every single thing I’m doing is the result of extended experimentation. I’m enjoying it, and I’ve continued to see better progress this year in aesthetics, balance, and fitness, with no injuries or desires to quit.

I haven’t gone all “AthleanX”, but the focus really has been on working every single muscle from multiple angles. I want to stay fit, strong, healthy, agile, and as youthful as possible as I push into the coming years. My primary focus has always been on size...and to be honest, I've become content with my size (even though I never got “big”).

Without going into too much detail, here are the basics.

-Push/Pull 2 separate workouts for each, 4 days on 1 off repeat.
-3 exercises for for big body parts 2 for small, 1 set of each exercises.
-Reps from 8-20 reps, depending on the exercise with focus on form and feel.
-Volume periodization by adding progressively more myo reps to each set over a 4 week cycle.
-3 minute rests between sets (the longest rests I’ve ever taken).

looking great.Youre in your prime brother.

[smokinal]

Just coming across this now brother.
Good training to ya!

[HonkeyKongDong]

Lookin good man. God mother ****ing damn, excuse my french. You're a poster child for us elderly that want to prove age doesn't matter.

You got that **** down. Props. Repped you, you deserve much more than what I can give.

[HonkeyKongDong]

This guy is a mother ****ing BEAST. Too bad no series on Netflix has anyone as badass as this guy.

The best part about it is you can tell he doesn't take steroids. Expendibles? Ha. All Natural Big White C. BWC.

[HonkeyKongDong]

Those underwear masked it a bit... it's hard to find even shorts that doesn't expose your dick, especally the head...