Hi there.

Do you include the walk up the stairs to the gym as part of your workout. 41 year old bodybuilder from Liverpool, England just wanting to swop routein's, chat, talk supplements, steriods - oohhh, mags, family..come and say 'Hi'....Colin

By Anonymous on Tuesday, January 25, 2000 - 06:30 am: Edit

Hey Colin,

I'm just across the Ocean, on the Atlantic seaboard in the States.

I'm in pretty good shape even though the steep flight of stairs that leads down to my gym really can be the hardest part of my workout.

I'm soon to be forty and have been working out religously for the last year. I was surprised how quickly I got back in shape after having not lifted since I was nineteen. I try to add more weight every week and hope to be benching my weight again by sometime this year.
I have met a lot of great people while working out and I really look forward to hitting the weights which I do five days a week. I've become addicted to the endomorphines I think.
I'll write again,so keep on posting...

By Colin on Thursday, January 27, 2000 - 11:08 pm: Edit

Hi Anon,

Five days a week would kill me. I train full body twice a week, this leaves 48 and 96 hours rest between workouts. I step it up to mon-wed-fri about middle of March. I find doing this I grow quite well due to the rest periods. I also find this workout reduces the burn-out so I look forward to each workout..endomorphines or not:)

Bench is not a strong point we me. I have squatted 400lb for 8, five years ago..True.. but even then my bench was crap. I tend to do incline bench first these days as I need more upper pec development. I also tend to leave the squat now..doing the down part is easy, it's the coming up bit I cannot do:)) I do leg ext, leg press and leg curl... Okay I do a little squat when no one is looking but is a 1/4 of what I used to do:)

You had a long rest between workouts then 19-39. I only started to grow when I stopped reading the mags and listened to my own body and routein which suited me. And that was when I was 34 years old:)

Nice to hear from you. Talk to you soon

By CONNIE on Sunday, January 30, 2000 - 01:06 pm: Edit

Hi do you know anything on shoulder injuries ?
Hi my name is Connie I hurt my ROTATOR CUFF at work a year ago.I work straight nights 10:30pm to 7:00 am 5 sometimes 6 days a week.
I,am really good with my left hand now,but I sometimes over do it with it.
I take my vitamins everyday and workout still but very little with my right arm.
I have been swimming for about 15-20 min.every other day,but even that can bother it later.When I say swimming I don,t do anything over head.
My message that I GET twice a week is the only thing that has helped me.
CONNIE

By Nelson Muntz on Monday, January 31, 2000 - 04:30 am: Edit

HA HA!!!!!

By Anonymous on Tuesday, February 01, 2000 - 11:35 pm: Edit

Connie see a doctor...

By David on Wednesday, February 02, 2000 - 12:11 am: Edit

Hey Colin..pls contact me! I'm in London, Uk therefore on the "right" side of the Atlantic for u!
Chat later

By Colin on Thursday, February 03, 2000 - 12:21 am: Edit

Hello there David,

What do you want to talk about?

By Anonymous on Friday, February 11, 2000 - 07:14 am: Edit

Hey Colin,

Hows it going on the other side of the Trans-Atlantic Cable? Its been a mild Winter here so far, but theres still time for a "Nor-Easter" to hit before Spring. Its been great not to have to de-ice my car every morning this year, and the snow has been at record low levels.

Still, I ought to cut the gym down to three days a week this Spring and start building a garage! We've only had about 12 inches of snow so far, usually we've accmulated 100 by this time of the year.
I work out five days because I go every morning before work, I find it a great way to wake up and start the day compared to rolling out of bed and finding yourself on the job. Plus, I really like the results I'm seeing by pushing myself. Two days wouldn't be enough for me, but I am probably over training at five days per week.

I do one body part a day.
( Chest, Legs, Arms, Back, Shoulders ) and try to do some Abs everyday.

I'm thinking about changing my routine to hit two body parts a day so that every body part gets worked out twice a week.
( Chest & Back, Legs, Arms & Shoulders )

I change the exercises every few weeks to keep it fun. If I happen to miss a workout, I always feel that the day would have been a better one if I would have gotten it in. I found something in bodybuilding thats good for my health and that I like doing. The guys I workout with are great and what i like the most is that I have something to show for the effort of the day.

I'm addicted to the lifestyle thats for sure. I bet you'd benefit by getting in at least one more workout a week. Once your physique starts adding muscle, your motivation will grow too.

Try it... you'll like it!

By Colin on Saturday, February 12, 2000 - 02:16 am: Edit

Hi there Anon,

Sorry hear about the snow over there across the pond. Like your routein. I have included a wednesday workout (nice of you to recommend it though) now as I am not so sore in-between workouts hence the two workouts a week. I am getting into better shape so can now increase my workout days. Like you my wed workout consists of a full body workout only the wed routein had different exercises for each bodypart. Pec dec instead of dumbell flys and barbell curl instead of dumbell curl. bit of a change as they say.

My target is June for three full body workouts a week..top weights. I used to do a four day split but I found I never saw anyone at home although it would be better if I could go before work like yourself:)

Well keep pushing it buddy and stay away from false claiming workout mags:)

Talk soon

By John on Monday, March 06, 2000 - 07:03 am: Edit

HEY Colin,
Ya,I include the stairs. As a 40+erI must, but I use the stairs every where I can.I belive it all counts.I'd like to give the young ones a run for there money. I've only been back at it now for three years but I'm making headway. To many years of Beer & pizza to shake.
Talk again, John Van.Isl B.C. Canada

By Anonymous ( - 209.180.142.234) on Tuesday, March 14, 2000 - 01:00 am: Edit

This sincere, 42 year old GWM looking for a mentor
to start me on an exercise regime. I am very
sincere about this. Looking for gentlemen pref.
in their 40's or 50's. Please email me:
pcmerano @hotmail.com.

By marty on Friday, March 17, 2000 - 04:05 am: Edit

are there any fitness folks in there 50's looking to trade exercise programs? I'm 59 and workout 6 days a week. let's keep each other motivated.

By Colin ( - 212.111.142.30) on Monday, March 20, 2000 - 03:33 pm: Edit

Hi Marty

Keep on trucking there.

By Tommy McPhail on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 - 10:11 pm: Edit

Would like to meet someone to train with, new to bodybuilding, 52, need to start exercise program, and diet. Too thin. Would appreciate any input or help. Live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Thanks, and Happy Lifting.

By pcmerano on Saturday, March 25, 2000 - 03:09 am: Edit

Hi, Colin... And thanks for getting back to me the other day. I sent you a couple of replies, but was not sure if they reached your shore. Your email was the first one I have received from overseas! Thanks again. pcmerano@hotmail.com

By pcmerano on Saturday, March 25, 2000 - 03:15 am: Edit

Are there any personal trainers in the Phoenix area who would be willing to take on a new client for a nominal fee? I have been out of the workout routine for some years, but would like to get back into it with the help of the right guy. I'm a 42 year old sensual GWM who takes direction well. I respond best to dominant males who have a caring heart. Please get back to me, gentlemen. I can be reached at: pcmerano@hotmail.com

By hansonraider on Monday, March 27, 2000 - 07:40 pm: Edit

hi colin, i'm an ageing babyboomer 43yrs of age. i found your posting while surfing.i,m verry interested in communicating with other 40+ bodybuilderabout swaping tech's,programs and stories.i,v quit competeing in1997 now stay in shpe for the health and mental aspect of the sport. i,v come from old school where bb and power lifting were combined. made a lot of mistakes along the way.i.e steroids, injuries ect,ect. lot,s of lesson,s learned for sure. if you want to chat e-mail hansonraider@prodigy.net

By Colin ( - 212.111.136.170) on Friday, March 31, 2000 - 01:05 am: Edit

pcmerano@hotmail.com ..HI there. I never received anything but thanks for having a go to get in touch..try cjdc@tesco.net again.

First tip, take a cap full of Cyder Vinegar mixed with juice or something to mask the vinegar taste twice a day. It's an excellent and cheap fat burner:)

By hansonraider on Tuesday, April 04, 2000 - 07:22 pm: Edit

hi collin rcieved your reply . nice to hear from you. i am back in the gym just getting over my surgy on my elbow . i had a bone spur removed.it is one of those things that happen iguess with old age. the doc did a nice job i should be back up to steam in about 4 weeks. ive been doing a lot of cardio and lowerbody movement these last 3 weeks am ready to get back to full body trainnning.i sent an e-mail don't know if you recieved.but i see a new listing you have posted on the board will try that .got a lot of old stories to swap, love the sport,see ya hansonraider at hansonraider@prodigy.net

By Colin ( - 212.111.133.210) on Wednesday, April 05, 2000 - 11:11 pm: Edit

handsonraider email posted to you yesterday my friend...Anyone else want to chat just join in!

We are all 40+ and pumping the iron..Although we have more injuries between us than the NFL we have the memories and experience

By Anonymous ( - 198.142.43.161) on Saturday, April 08, 2000 - 04:12 am: Edit

Hello there I have just found your site and messages. I am a female bodybuilder in Australia and would love to write to any other bb's overseas. I have been competing for 9 years and have been training for 15 years.
So as you can see totally addicted to the sport.
If anyone is genuinely interested in having a penpal you can email me at bodybyme@optusnet.com.au

By hansonraider on Sunday, April 09, 2000 - 09:26 pm: Edit

hi bodybyme, i assume that you are over 40 like the rest of us.it is great to hear that older female bodybuilders are still trainning. i allways wonder if you suffer the same ailments we men do. ihave enjoyed bodybuilding for a period of time never competed in any thing but amature, but i trained hard and got some wins at diffrent weight cato.i dont compete any more and im allways trying to find ways to maximise my trainning with the years getting on me.i still have the desire but got a lot of wornout parts allong the way.i.e. drugs,and insane trainning approaches. saylearned a lot of lessons along the way. wish i knew then what i know now,but hindsight is 20/20.i never had a chance to ever discuss the femal perspective side of the sport. never were any that trainned in the gym at my peak period.say hi to collin on this board , he is another old warrior of the sport from england.love the sport,train safe hansonraider@prodigy.net here in dallas texas.

By David on Tuesday, April 25, 2000 - 02:31 pm: Edit

Hi People
I am 54 just started in the gym 2 years ago and into body building. Going for competition in early September. Anybody got any ideas how to lose the fat off the lower ABS. Doing weights three times a week with cardio another 3. Last year was the best year of my life because of the change the gym has made to my self belief. woodie999@hotmail.com
David New Zealand

By Colin ( - 194.117.152.74) on Wednesday, April 26, 2000 - 03:29 am: Edit

Loosing fat is all diet my friend. You can have a great set of abs trouble is they are under a layer of flab.

ignore anything that says...ripped, cut, sliced, diced or anything of that nature on the package. watch your carbs and keep your protein high 1.5 to 1lb of bodyweight. Reduce your protein on a diet and you will look flat and look fatter due to muscle reduction and tone. Stay away from low carb diets..no energy, mood swings, no sex drive ect

if you cut back on food intake you metabolism will slow down thus hindering your fat loss. Food intake five to six small meals a day. Your metabolism is like a coal fire, throw a heap on at once and out it goes..feel a little coal every now and then and it will blaze. At least on this over 40 page we know what a coal fire is.

Find your carb and protein intake level and follow that keeping an eye on body and mind.

Good lower ab exercise..hanging leg raises...Never use weights doing abs they build muscle...big muscle = big waist.

Keep it going my friend and congratulation on your achievement

By hansonraider on Wednesday, May 03, 2000 - 06:18 pm: Edit

hello to all, well recovery has been grate so much better than expected. with the bone spur removed from my elbo my range of motion and flexibility has so much greatly improved.i feel like a new man . ive now decided that in 6 more months i will go ahead and have the bone spur removed from my knee. the doc has said recovery will take a litle longer but the end results would be the same.the most important thing is to get my self in the best condition i possibily can before.that is the key to recovery.the best thing is with these injuries taken care of it gives me a new prespective about bodybuilding as i near my 50's.so much more exciting ,challanging, new goals seem so much more reachable. i,m pumped for the future. hello coillin hope you are doing well in your trainning. love the sport!!

By John on Monday, July 10, 2000 - 10:20 am: Edit

Hi Guys & girls
John from B.C. Here again. I would like to give
you a little update if I may? I now am looking like my old self once again, the hardest part
was breaking up my meals. Trying to eat 6 meals
although small ones,was tough. 2 of them ended
up as meal replasement shakes so I could boost my
protin intake.
Hansonraider,I'm glad your recovery has gone well. Colin,are you still out there?I hope you're
doing well
Take care all!

By Bryan on Wednesday, August 02, 2000 - 08:07 am: Edit

Bryans the name.Interesting site.I just turned 50.I've been working out now for about 10 years and feel great.Not many people can boast a six pack at my age .Viewing this type of site gives me motivation to keep at it,Love the weights.

By kal on Thursday, August 03, 2000 - 03:07 am: Edit

Hi
I live in south Scotland, am 48 yrs old but in good nick, 15 inch biceps and a good set of pecs!!
I am looking for bodybuilders in their forties to chat with. Would you like to E-mail me?

By David on Tuesday, September 12, 2000 - 12:48 am: Edit

Hello! (apologies to Colin for late reply!)
Just thought I'd say "Hi!" to the group. Nice to know there's other BBs out there round about my age group.
I'm in London, 56, 5'7", 150 lbs, 30"w, 42", almost 15" bis, joined the world of BB only 4 yrs ago (better late than never!). I w/o at the "Gym on the Hill" at Belsize Park 3 x a week. Great camaraderie and plenty of eager hands to spot for me when I want assistance. Still learning an awful lot. Cheers, David

By Bob on Thursday, September 28, 2000 - 09:02 am: Edit

Hi fellow old guys (and gals),

I'm pushing 51 and going strong. I'm probably in the best shape of my life. I basically have to keep myself out of the gym to avoid over-training. Its an incredible high to be in the gym.

I was pretty thrilled the other day to measure my biceps at 20" (I had a really good pump on to be sure) To put this in proper perspective, I'm 6'6" and weigh 274, so 20" isn't all that big, but it is a magic number isn't it? On the other hand my arms really are big and hard, and while not really cut, there is plenty of definition.

I've pumped iron off an on for 25 years. I've been back at it for about a year now, and the results have been fantastic. Possibly the main benefit is my sex drive is great!!! In general I feel wonderful. It has been a revelation that I could make gains in my 6th decade. I have no reason to think I can't go on for 20 or more years (i.e - making gains!)

Supplements are a new thing for me, but I feel they work. Clearly multiple vitamins and protein are safe and probably effective. L-Glutamine has had the obvious benefit of cutting out my flatulence!!! and I think it probably aids recovery and allows me to go to the gym more. I've been using Creatine off and on for several months, and I always gain weight and feel pumped when I use it, and seem to lose same when I'm off. However, strength gains remain without setback.

I've been taking low doses of DHEA (15mg per day), I'm scared to take more, and I won't mess with Andros either, and certainly not juice.

I've recently gotten into what I think is called HIT - high intensity training, i.e. using relatively lower weights VERY SLOWLY. This leads to an incredible burn and pump. It also seems to prevent injury. Sometimes, just to make sure I still can, I go for heavy weights, and my strength is actually increasing, so I think I'll stick with HIT for awhile. Yesterday I benched 310# ( 3 clean reps )[after a HIT chest routine] and it was pretty easy, so I think I can go higher. These are new numbers for me.

Anyway, I bet there are some special nutritional and work out needs for us aging boomers... What do y'all know?

Bob

By smokin ( - 205.188.193.183) on Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 08:44 am: Edit

iam stan my nick is smokin. iam 44. looking for bb's to chat and discuss workout routines. i am married and have a son please e-mail me at sta354@aol.com

By Bill on Thursday, November 16, 2000 - 02:39 am: Edit

Any of you over 50 guys having success with HIT?
If so, would like to know the details of your program - freq, ex, sets, etc?

Thanks,
Bill

By Anonymous ( - 4.54.59.0) on Thursday, November 16, 2000 - 04:47 am: Edit

I will probably get some one to correct me, but,HIT is not what you should use. It is to intense and is for dummies who beleive that all they do is hit that they'll get big. Do yourself a favor at your age do something else. Go to www. testosterone.net and get some ideas.

By Anonymous ( - 63.28.72.137) on Saturday, December 16, 2000 - 08:48 am: Edit

There is no need to be insulting. Please be civil. High testosterone levels do tend to make people somewhat aggressive and even rude, but chanelling agression into higher intensity training is more rewarding then insulting rhetoric.

HIT is not dumb for guys over 40. In fact, it is less likely to cause injury. I do think that HIT is only part of the total regimen, but perhaps is the most basic muscle building program.

Bob

By Anonymous ( - 63.28.67.21) on Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - 08:16 am: Edit

51 years old and unbelievably muscular and pumped... 22" arms!!! Arnold has taken over my body when I workout and pump up. Shocking intensity. No regard for social norms... get HUGE!!! Willing to be as massive and strong as possible. Cannot regard muscle pain, pump to failure. (But avoid ligament pain!)

Abs are cut up. More crunches than anything else-- every time!!!

Qi gong between exercises to get a qi pump going

By greg on Friday, March 02, 2001 - 08:26 pm: Edit

hi mate
greg here in london uk....41 yrs bb love to chat mate...

By Anonymous ( - 63.23.28.39) on Sunday, April 15, 2001 - 04:01 am: Edit

Hi right back at ya.

Here are my stats: 51 years old. 78" tall, 285 # and lean enough to see the beginnings of a six pack and for the veins in my pumped biceps to bulge bluely. This week I bench pressed 340# (my best in 10 years), as well as new highs with conctration curls, preacher bent bar curls, rows, etc.. I'm into a strength thing lately, the workouts are a bit easier aerobically - one needs to go slow to really hit the heavy weights. Really hitting the heavy weights is not easy and is VERY INTENSE. Still not as intense as HIT training.

By BR (63.27.223.128) on Tuesday, July 24, 2001 - 02:09 am: Edit

Male 42 in a month. I was a gym owner about 15 years ago. Started back lifting in the gym March/2001. My lower back was giving me trouble, so I went to the gym to start training again. First day of training I did 1 set of 8 squats with 95 lbs. My glutes started cramping and my thighs were exhausted. I'm now squating 300+, & the lower back pain is gone. Supplements are GNC Mega Whey Protein, L-glutamine capsules & just started the loading process with Creatine. Just moved to the gain 50 lbs.in 50 days to your bench workout from musclemedia.com (1RM 230). Hopefully I'll be back to post my results.

By aceofbase (202.88.135.225) on Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 03:57 pm: Edit

hi guys,
I am a 42 -year old who has been off and on in the gym but got in SEIOUSLY just a year and a half ago. Made amazing gains. Lost 6kgs of fat..got in to 10-year old jeans..and just feel good. My routine is Day 1- Biceps/Triceps
Day 2- Back/ shoulders. Day 3- chest/legs..one day break for rest and repeat the schedule again. I also take Whey Protein within half an hour of my finishing my workout. On alternate days I do cardio for abt 45 mins and stomach crunches. Am i doing okay?I would also love to hear from and keep in touch with others who are also lifting and believe in the power of the gym. My email is aceofbase1@yahoo.com. Looking forward to hearing fom you guys out there for suggestions, tips, advice..or just plain gossip and chat.
Harry.