When to Retire?

Training Powerlifting
21

[quote]WalkingGunShow wrote:

[quote]Steel Nation wrote:

[quote]WalkingGunShow wrote:
You may not like to hear my answer.

Quit whining.

I dont care if you dont even have legs anymore. If its truly in your blood, then you will find a way to do it. If i was in you state and my joints where killing me, i would be a damn joint expect, cause i would be online 4 hours a day researching everything about helping my joints. What ever troubles you have, louie simmons has it worse, but its it his blood. He gets in there and gets it done. If you cant put a bar on your back and squat it, put it in your hands and do a zercher squat. If your shoulders hurt use a fat bar and bench with a closer grip. How about get a football bar. Do you use a reverse hyper? Foam roller? Do mobility work?

Get off the forums and go read some more articles, and get off the powerlifting forum if you giving up on it![/quote]

Would you give this same “advice” to Dave Tate when he retired a few years back due to shoulder problems? Do you not think that powerlifting is in DT’s blood? What about Wendler?

Admit it, you’re talking completely out of your ass with no life experience (20 years old? LOL!) to back it up. You should probably stop doing that.

OP, if announcing your retirement would cause everyone to say “who is that?”, then you can’t retire, you just quit. Just a semantics argument, but anyhow…

If the lows are getting lower and the highs less frequent, then I’d say it’s time to either make some changes to your training (shorter meet prep, cruising on higher reps between meets, etc) or take some time off, see how you feel, then make a decision. The great thing about nobody giving a shit whether or not you compete is that you can just decide to pick it back up again after a hiatus.[/quote]

Give Tate my advice? My advice is the same as Daves Tate’s. Find ways around the problem, become knowledgeable on rehab, take long warm-ups, take your joint supps, wrap your knee or whatever. Tate still lifts heavy, and he’s huge. He hasnt competed, but has never stopped lifting heavy, and thats what i was getting at above.[/quote]

Have you read Tate’s log? Lifting in the 10+ rep range is not powerlifting training. While I’m sure the weights he’s using are heavy for most people, a set where you do 10+ reps is not the same as doing the singles, doubles and triples that are the essence of training for powerlifting. Tate quit/retired from competitive powerlifting because he was messed up. When he did so, he stopped doing the low rep work.

22

LP,

It would likely help with the responses if you could give some more specifics. Personally I don’t think your lift numbers are as important as things like age, weight/height, medical problems, etc… It would help focus the replies.

Here’s a link to one of the Dave Tate articles on EliteFTS as well as links to “The Project” on T-Nation. Dave’s specifically is a great read, especially his e-mail correspondence with Alwyn Cosgrove.

The Reactivation
http://articles.elitefts.com/articles/training-articles/the-reactivation/

There’s a link to Part 1 at the beginning.

I hear what you mean about having trouble switching training styles though. We each have something that drives us to lift. For some, it’s just getting stronger in the gym, others size, and for other people it’s pushing their total.

Although ultimately you must decide for yourself, we may be able to offer relevent experiences or insights.

23

[quote]WalkingGunShow wrote:

[quote]Steel Nation wrote:

[quote]WalkingGunShow wrote:
You may not like to hear my answer.

Quit whining.

I dont care if you dont even have legs anymore. If its truly in your blood, then you will find a way to do it. If i was in you state and my joints where killing me, i would be a damn joint expect, cause i would be online 4 hours a day researching everything about helping my joints. What ever troubles you have, louie simmons has it worse, but its it his blood. He gets in there and gets it done. If you cant put a bar on your back and squat it, put it in your hands and do a zercher squat. If your shoulders hurt use a fat bar and bench with a closer grip. How about get a football bar. Do you use a reverse hyper? Foam roller? Do mobility work?

Get off the forums and go read some more articles, and get off the powerlifting forum if you giving up on it![/quote]

Would you give this same “advice” to Dave Tate when he retired a few years back due to shoulder problems? Do you not think that powerlifting is in DT’s blood? What about Wendler?

Admit it, you’re talking completely out of your ass with no life experience (20 years old? LOL!) to back it up. You should probably stop doing that.

OP, if announcing your retirement would cause everyone to say “who is that?”, then you can’t retire, you just quit. Just a semantics argument, but anyhow…

If the lows are getting lower and the highs less frequent, then I’d say it’s time to either make some changes to your training (shorter meet prep, cruising on higher reps between meets, etc) or take some time off, see how you feel, then make a decision. The great thing about nobody giving a shit whether or not you compete is that you can just decide to pick it back up again after a hiatus.[/quote]

Give Tate my advice? My advice is the same as Daves Tate’s. Find ways around the problem, become knowledgeable on rehab, take long warm-ups, take your joint supps, wrap your knee or whatever. Tate still lifts heavy, and he’s huge. He hasnt competed, but has never stopped lifting heavy, and thats what i was getting at above.[/quote]

Jesus Christ, I just reread the OP and you’re right - he’s talking about quitting lifting altogether, not just competing. My apologies.

OP, I cannot understand quitting lifting altogether. But, then again, I can’t understand a lot of things people want or do. You’re not even close to old, by anyone’s standard.

But hey, if you want to be physically average for the next 40 years, be my guest.

24

[quote]Steel Nation wrote:
But hey, if you want to be physically average for the next 40 years, be my guest.[/quote]

You make it sound so easy :slight_smile:

I don’t think the OP has any trouble choosing between pulling impressive weights and being average. It’s the pulling impressive weights but cannot even walk with his grandson that’s the dilemma here.

25

[quote]J.Rex wrote:

[quote]Steel Nation wrote:
But hey, if you want to be physically average for the next 40 years, be my guest.[/quote]

You make it sound so easy :slight_smile:

I don’t think the OP has any trouble choosing between pulling impressive weights and being average. It’s the pulling impressive weights but cannot even walk with his grandson that’s the dilemma here.[/quote]

That is a false dilemma. There are infinite iterations between pulling impressive weights and physically average. There are methods of weight training that are not so taxing on the joints. But, if the passion to be more than some regular schmoe is not there anymore then it would be exceedingly hard to see it as anything but an either/or. I can’t relate to that in any way.

For the record, I think anyone that lifts weights regularly is better than average physically. I also don’t think there is any shame in not wanting to be the strongest person in the world and valuing your long-term health over meaningless lifting numbers. I do think there is shame in quitting altogether and letting your body go to shit. I can’t think of a single excuse for it, unless someone cut off your arms and legs.

But what do I know, I’m just some guy on the internet with a huge dick and an opinion, just like everyone else. Who cares what I think.

26

this is a depressing thread man, i don’t wanna get old, and I’m not even the OP’s age but I can see exactly what he means, kinda frightening.

27

heriberto gonzales 70 years old

165kg deadlift

28

Thank you to everyones response. It has given me alot to think about over the past few days. I do not blame some of the responses, had i been 20 years younger hearing someone talking the way i am, i would shut them down as well.

To answer some previous questions, i have totaled “Master” in my weight class. So by no means am i anywhere near a top powerlifter in the game. Some in this thread said that unless you are a top powerlifter or champion you do not retire, you “quit”. Well then i am quitting, Just as 99.9% of those who pick up this sport or any sport. But this sport is in my blood and it will always be.

For looking average the rest of my days, that is fine, When people are young thats a goal most men have, to look big and strong for the rest of their life. But as you get older your priorities change. Im too old to be trying to beat these younger guys in the game, ill get out the way and let them have their spotlight. I also applaud those who continue to lift even during old age. But as JIm wendler says, he used to think he was strong, when all he could do was waddle up to a monolift and nothing else.

What will i be doing? well, my son started lifting one year ago occasionally, he got a late start and hes not interested in powerlifting, but i will spend my time teaching him the things i have learned and hopefully he will become passionate about the sport. If not, hopefully i will be around when my grandson becomes the age to start lifting. I also attend many meets as a spectator. Hopefully i will see some of you one day crushing some heavy iron! Some of you appear to have the right mindset and dedication. Good luck to all of you in your pursuits.

29

[quote]armchairexperts wrote:
Thank you to everyones response. It has given me alot to think about over the past few days. I do not blame some of the responses, had i been 20 years younger hearing someone talking the way i am, i would shut them down as well.

To answer some previous questions, i have totaled “Master” in my weight class. So by no means am i anywhere near a top powerlifter in the game. Some in this thread said that unless you are a top powerlifter or champion you do not retire, you “quit”. Well then i am quitting, Just as 99.9% of those who pick up this sport or any sport. But this sport is in my blood and it will always be.

For looking average the rest of my days, that is fine, When people are young thats a goal most men have, to look big and strong for the rest of their life. But as you get older your priorities change. Im too old to be trying to beat these younger guys in the game, ill get out the way and let them have their spotlight. I also applaud those who continue to lift even during old age. But as JIm wendler says, he used to think he was strong, when all he could do was waddle up to a monolift and nothing else.

What will i be doing? well, my son started lifting one year ago occasionally, he got a late start and hes not interested in powerlifting, but i will spend my time teaching him the things i have learned and hopefully he will become passionate about the sport. If not, hopefully i will be around when my grandson becomes the age to start lifting. I also attend many meets as a spectator. Hopefully i will see some of you one day crushing some heavy iron! Some of you appear to have the right mindset and dedication. Good luck to all of you in your pursuits.
[/quote]

For what it’s worth, I think you’re making a good decision. You might end up feeling better, and be more able to enjoy your life. My Dad is 50, used to love lifting heavy when he was younger. However, his main goal was to be fit, feeling good, and able to live a long independent life. He’s 50, bikes frequent centuries (100 miles), can hammer out 25 pull ups, is more flexible than most 20 year olds etc. Does he look as big and ‘impressive’? No. But at some point in your life, you have to realize that most people don’t care about you or how you look nearly as much as you do. In all honesty, I find what he is doing far more inspiring than if he were hunched over, getting under the iron and hurting himself. When I see that, I see someone who is a slave to the iron and the muscle, and not in control. It often takes a bigger man to walk away ahead.

30

[quote]armchairexperts wrote:
Hello my brothers in iron, I have been bothered by the question of when to retire from powerlifting

Over the years hitting the weights heavy has taken its toll on my body,

I would have been a skinny adult but without the problems im faced with, such as being fairly large, heart problems and joint aches. [/quote]

Maybe you just need a goal change. You are clearly driven by competition and are proud of what you can do with your body. Maybe you just need to change your focus from lifting heavier weights, to creating a more generally healthy fit body.

You can probably maintain much of your strength, but start eating for flexibility and heart health instead of for raw power. Start doing reps of 15, or 25 (which can fucking kill if done right, but with lower impact on joints and such).

In any event, only you can decide when to retire. But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can transition into a new phase that is as admirable as your work in powerlifting, without the drawbacks you raise.

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you.

31

[quote]armchairexperts wrote:
Thank you to everyones response. It has given me alot to think about over the past few days. I do not blame some of the responses, had i been 20 years younger hearing someone talking the way i am, i would shut them down as well.

To answer some previous questions, i have totaled “Master” in my weight class. So by no means am i anywhere near a top powerlifter in the game. Some in this thread said that unless you are a top powerlifter or champion you do not retire, you “quit”. Well then i am quitting, Just as 99.9% of those who pick up this sport or any sport. But this sport is in my blood and it will always be.

For looking average the rest of my days, that is fine, When people are young thats a goal most men have, to look big and strong for the rest of their life. But as you get older your priorities change. Im too old to be trying to beat these younger guys in the game, ill get out the way and let them have their spotlight. I also applaud those who continue to lift even during old age. But as JIm wendler says, he used to think he was strong, when all he could do was waddle up to a monolift and nothing else.

What will i be doing? well, my son started lifting one year ago occasionally, he got a late start and hes not interested in powerlifting, but i will spend my time teaching him the things i have learned and hopefully he will become passionate about the sport. If not, hopefully i will be around when my grandson becomes the age to start lifting. I also attend many meets as a spectator. Hopefully i will see some of you one day crushing some heavy iron! Some of you appear to have the right mindset and dedication. Good luck to all of you in your pursuits.
[/quote]

Am I missing something? Your hub says you’re 37 years old, but your posts read like you’re 50-60. It has nothing to do with looks. It has everything to do with being better than the ordinary guy that groans any time they have to do something physical, because you know you’re more than capable.

You have a decade of experience on me, so I’m trying to be as respectful as possible, but something seems to be amiss here.

32

[quote]Steel Nation wrote:

[quote]armchairexperts wrote:
Thank you to everyones response. It has given me alot to think about over the past few days. I do not blame some of the responses, had i been 20 years younger hearing someone talking the way i am, i would shut them down as well.

To answer some previous questions, i have totaled “Master” in my weight class. So by no means am i anywhere near a top powerlifter in the game. Some in this thread said that unless you are a top powerlifter or champion you do not retire, you “quit”. Well then i am quitting, Just as 99.9% of those who pick up this sport or any sport. But this sport is in my blood and it will always be.

For looking average the rest of my days, that is fine, When people are young thats a goal most men have, to look big and strong for the rest of their life. But as you get older your priorities change. Im too old to be trying to beat these younger guys in the game, ill get out the way and let them have their spotlight. I also applaud those who continue to lift even during old age. But as JIm wendler says, he used to think he was strong, when all he could do was waddle up to a monolift and nothing else.

What will i be doing? well, my son started lifting one year ago occasionally, he got a late start and hes not interested in powerlifting, but i will spend my time teaching him the things i have learned and hopefully he will become passionate about the sport. If not, hopefully i will be around when my grandson becomes the age to start lifting. I also attend many meets as a spectator. Hopefully i will see some of you one day crushing some heavy iron! Some of you appear to have the right mindset and dedication. Good luck to all of you in your pursuits.
[/quote]

Am I missing something? Your hub says you’re 37 years old, but your posts read like you’re 50-60. It has nothing to do with looks. It has everything to do with being better than the ordinary guy that groans any time they have to do something physical, because you know you’re more than capable.

You have a decade of experience on me, so I’m trying to be as respectful as possible, but something seems to be amiss here.[/quote]

Despite there being “competitions”, to many people powerlifting is a sport in which you compete with yourself. Part of what makes it exciting is getting better and better, and I think the OP feels that in his situation that isn’t going to happen anymore.

I don’t remember if he said his actual numbers, but here’s an example:
Let’s say that over the next 20 years, his deadlift goes from 600 to 400.
He could see it as “I’m 60 years old and deadlift 400lbs, that’s way more 99% of the people out there.”
But he might also see it as “I trained hard and sacrificed so much for the past 20 years to see my deadlift drop 200lbs. Motherfucker.”

I don’t think either perspective is unreasonable. When you’re younger, the more “positive” way of thinking for most people is to compare yourself to yourself rather than o others. When you’re older, it switches.

My 2cents.