Is there an age cut off point for getting a good physique?
Discussion
Im 36 now and have been a gym goer on and off (mostly on) since 17. I'm wondering after many years of 'just going to the gym to keep fit' generally, if there's still a chance to actually knuckle down and get a good physique through training, diet etc at my age?
Is it still within the realms of possibility?
How hard is it to get something approaching a mens health cover model type look without nutritionists/personal trainers and generally loads of free time and cash?
I'm generally a hard gainer and have to eat constantly just to maintain my weight if this has any bearing?
Thanks for any advice..
Is it still within the realms of possibility?
How hard is it to get something approaching a mens health cover model type look without nutritionists/personal trainers and generally loads of free time and cash?
I'm generally a hard gainer and have to eat constantly just to maintain my weight if this has any bearing?
Thanks for any advice..
Im generally healthy at the moment bmi is well within levels 5ft 8 - 150lbs
unsure about bpm and resting bpm.
have about 1-2 hrs a day i could free up.
reason - unsure as i say it just a question if it is possible? wouldnt mind a last hurrah at looking good before old age takes it toll..
unsure about bpm and resting bpm.
have about 1-2 hrs a day i could free up.
reason - unsure as i say it just a question if it is possible? wouldnt mind a last hurrah at looking good before old age takes it toll..
If you are 36, you've got a awfully long time yet to achieve a great body.
My gym has many 50+ folk in it and quite honestly plenty of them look superb (it's a meathead gym), far better than me for sure!
At 36 you got plenty of opportunity to look amazing if you're willing to put the work in.
My gym has many 50+ folk in it and quite honestly plenty of them look superb (it's a meathead gym), far better than me for sure!
At 36 you got plenty of opportunity to look amazing if you're willing to put the work in.
Didn't look at the YT link but was it about those OAP bodybuilders by any chance?
You can get in shape at any age, it just gets harder as you get older because as your in-built expirey date approaches, everything starts to slow down, including anabolism (creating bigger molecules from smaller ones, i.e. growth).
You can get in shape at any age, it just gets harder as you get older because as your in-built expirey date approaches, everything starts to slow down, including anabolism (creating bigger molecules from smaller ones, i.e. growth).
mattikake said:
Didn't look at the YT link but was it about those OAP bodybuilders by any chance?
You can get in shape at any age, it just gets harder as you get older because as your in-built expirey date approaches, everything starts to slow down, including anabolism (creating bigger molecules from smaller ones, i.e. growth).
Not just any old oapYou can get in shape at any age, it just gets harder as you get older because as your in-built expirey date approaches, everything starts to slow down, including anabolism (creating bigger molecules from smaller ones, i.e. growth).
I'm 39 and look better than I did at 19 (I was just skinny back then; now I have muscular bulk... although I wouldn't say I'm... you know... Powerfully-Built). I'm not going for the MH cover look, mind; just to have functional fitness for the sports I enjoy, which is why I may only do weight training once a fortnight as I have to plan the recovery time around my other training ie I don't want to be completely broken before I do a 6 hour climbing session. 
As suggested in the above posts, you need to have a goal in mind. I do believe that if I was to put my mind to it, I could get something impressive-looking.
As suggested in the above posts, you need to have a goal in mind. I do believe that if I was to put my mind to it, I could get something impressive-looking.Edited by RemainAllHoof on Thursday 26th May 15:24
I'm 35 and after giving up sunday league footie a few years ago my fitness started to go so I joined the gym. Have been going for two years, a few times a week and not wishing to sound big headed my physique has been transformed. Not quite Mens Health cover standard but I'm pretty pleased, walk that bit taller on the beach and it transformed my mood and energy levels, no more snoozes when I got in from work, instead I now have the energy for a workout. Weight has pretty much stayed the same but I've gone down two trouser sizes and up a chest size so I've lost fat along the way.
So 36 is not too old at all, I wish I had really started in my 20s but hey ho, better late than never. My thinking is that at minimum I do something small everyday even if I don't have time for a big work out, so that each day I can say I'm a little bit fitter than yesterday.
So 36 is not too old at all, I wish I had really started in my 20s but hey ho, better late than never. My thinking is that at minimum I do something small everyday even if I don't have time for a big work out, so that each day I can say I'm a little bit fitter than yesterday.
When I was a youngster back in the 80s/early 90s not many people went in for fitness and gyms etc so it was unusual to see people in good shape. Now however its very common for most late teens early 20s to be reasonably buff hence my question. They have age on their side I suppose but it would be nice to have a big push and see what was attainable within reason and without steroids.
Good point, 10 years ago when I was in my mid twenties, none of the three gyms near me existed so even if I had wanted to get fit I'd have had no where to train. Luckily I had football.
But like you I notice my gym is full of youngsters, some late teens but loads in their early 20s. When I was that age I don't think I knew any gym go'ers.
But as for our age now, its never too late. I don't do steroids, protein shales or any of that rubbish, I eat well and when I do train I really go for it. I aim to look a sweaty mess by the time I leave the gym making the most of what ever time I have their.
I do 'pump' class twice a week, its not just for girls! Admitedly I am one of only three guys that go but its a tough class if you want it to be using heavier weights than the girls and really going for it. I swear half of the girls going put no effort in at all incase they look a mess at the end.
Then I try and do at least three gym sessions a week, which are a mixture of free weights. runs and cycles. An hour each approx. But if I'm busy or have a better offer I go out and don't worry too much. I don't want gym to rule my life.
At home I have a swiss ball for crunches and some dumb bells, combined with dips on the stairs and press ups I can have a good home work out if I'm rushed.
Saying all this makes me seem like a gym addict, I'm not as I drop sessions all the time but I do keep it all up regularly, and the variation means I don't get bored and it fits around my life.
Go for it, you'll be amazed what you can achieve, but don't forget a good diet as fat will hide all your muscle gains. Good luck.
But like you I notice my gym is full of youngsters, some late teens but loads in their early 20s. When I was that age I don't think I knew any gym go'ers.
But as for our age now, its never too late. I don't do steroids, protein shales or any of that rubbish, I eat well and when I do train I really go for it. I aim to look a sweaty mess by the time I leave the gym making the most of what ever time I have their.
I do 'pump' class twice a week, its not just for girls! Admitedly I am one of only three guys that go but its a tough class if you want it to be using heavier weights than the girls and really going for it. I swear half of the girls going put no effort in at all incase they look a mess at the end.
Then I try and do at least three gym sessions a week, which are a mixture of free weights. runs and cycles. An hour each approx. But if I'm busy or have a better offer I go out and don't worry too much. I don't want gym to rule my life.
At home I have a swiss ball for crunches and some dumb bells, combined with dips on the stairs and press ups I can have a good home work out if I'm rushed.
Saying all this makes me seem like a gym addict, I'm not as I drop sessions all the time but I do keep it all up regularly, and the variation means I don't get bored and it fits around my life.
Go for it, you'll be amazed what you can achieve, but don't forget a good diet as fat will hide all your muscle gains. Good luck.
anything upto 40 is fine - 40 onwards, gains are harder (depending on your start point)
it also depends on lifestyle...at 19 you may have time for training that as a 30+ parent you dont....but then at 36 you may have cash for a good diet and no need to go and get wasted on a weekend.
IMO - if a 20 year old and a 40 year old did THE SAME workout it would be a LOT easier at 20...but life isnt like that.
it also depends on lifestyle...at 19 you may have time for training that as a 30+ parent you dont....but then at 36 you may have cash for a good diet and no need to go and get wasted on a weekend.
IMO - if a 20 year old and a 40 year old did THE SAME workout it would be a LOT easier at 20...but life isnt like that.
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