What Would You Do Differently?

Training Bodybuilding
41

I’m 48, been lifting for a long time, but I’m nothing special in the gym as far as strength and build. But I know a few things.

I would do more variety of movements, grips, angles, splits etc. I even think going with machines is a good change of pace. Don’t just do the same shit over and over, forever, unless it’s still working - but nothing works forever. I’m not saying to switch over to a ballerina workout, but plan some variety into your routine a couple times a year or so, while still pursuing your goals.

Don’t go for more than a month without training if possible. Shit happens, life gets in the way. Try to get to the gym anyway.

I also fell victim to an all-or-nothing mentality. If I wasn’t training really fucking hard, it was better not to train. That’s not smart. Even a half assed workout is better than not training at all. I used to turn up my nose at the people doing half-assed routines, but not anymore… they made it to gym, they deserve some credit for being there and trying, even if their workouts could be a lot better. As somebody who has totally missed workouts over the last 30 years, I respect them for making it to the gym.

More stretching, more mobility (never even knew what that was, until lately) and do some general fitness on the off days. Move more, even if it’s not ‘exercise’.

Should have realized that I was doing this for fun, from the very beginning, and enjoyed the process for what it was, all along. Remember to have fun, while still getting all the same shit done. Because lifting heavy weights and changing your body is a lot of fun.

42

I realised that recently. You can’t just sit in a chair all the time and every couple days go to the gym and suddenly squat hundreds of pounds. You need to walk, run, jump and so on. Its the same like saying you’ll only do bench press but never deadlift or do any kind of rows. Your back will end up injured sooner or later. Just as you need to train most muscles, you also need to do everyday things that people used to do a lot but we no longer “have to”.

43

Everything I do now is as a result of past fuck-ups. Maybe it’s necessary to do things “wrong” once in a while and learn from it. It’s all about trial and error, I don’t regret shit except not starting this in my teens. I am often reminded of this by the likes of waylander and dathinblueline (he still here?).

44

What Stu said on page 1.