Exercise enthusiasts and wannabees only !!!

[FilterFunk]

A lot of people don't focus enough attention on their backs, but I have a bodybuilder brother who in his prime had lats that made him look like he could be his own hang glider when he did a lat spread pose! There was NO slacking off on back training when working out with him! Lots of lat pulldowns, T-bar rows, barbell rows, and single-arm dumbbell rows. He did deadlifts, too, but I just didn't like doing them.

My lats never came close to his level, but I did pretty well for myself. Here's a pic of me from 2016 (lousy image resolution, but you get the picture!):

 

[FilterFunk]

61 yrs old and happy about it. Yes, its dye, but the rest is all me. Always feel weird posting these, but they help keep me motivated and hopefully motivate others. Picture taken 5 minutes ago... still have sit-ups to do today...

View attachment 4777048

You look like you should be in a UFC octagon!

 

[dwm74]

A lot of people don't focus enough attention on their backs, but I have a bodybuilder brother who in his prime had lats that made him look like he could be his own hang glider when he did a lat spread pose! There was NO slacking off on back training when working out with him! Lots of lat pulldowns, T-bar rows, barbell rows, and single-arm dumbbell rows. He did deadlifts, too, but I just didn't like doing them.

My lats never came close to his level, but I did pretty well for myself. Here's a pic of me from 2016 (lousy image resolution, but you get the picture!):
View attachment 4778993

Agreed. I never had a dominant bodypart that was disproportionate in size (i.e. huge biceps or pecs, for example), but my back was by far my strongest. I always did back first in every workout, and still continue that practice today. I was an average bench presser (335x2 was my best), but my barbell rows, T-bar rows, and pulldowns were definitely higher than most guys in the gym. I remember guys who could outbench me by a hundred lbs but I was outlifting them when it came to back training. I guess I've always had a strong mind-muscle connection there, and I didn't neglect back training.

 

[FilterFunk]

Agreed. I never had a dominant bodypart that was disproportionate in size (i.e. huge biceps or pecs, for example), but my back was by far my strongest. I always did back first in every workout, and still continue that practice today. I was an average bench presser (335x2 was my best), but my barbell rows, T-bar rows, and pulldowns were definitely higher than most guys in the gym. I remember guys who could outbench me by a hundred lbs but I was outlifting them when it came to back training. I guess I've always had a strong mind-muscle connection there, and I didn't neglect back training.

My pulling muscles have always been stronger than my pushing muscles.

 

[5StringBlues]

Insert Rufus Thomas push and pull YouTube link here

My pulling muscles have always been stronger than my pushing muscles.

 

[two fingers]

A lot of people don't focus enough attention on their backs, but I have a bodybuilder brother who in his prime had lats that made him look like he could be his own hang glider when he did a lat spread pose! There was NO slacking off on back training when working out with him! Lots of lat pulldowns, T-bar rows, barbell rows, and single-arm dumbbell rows. He did deadlifts, too, but I just didn't like doing them.

My lats never came close to his level, but I did pretty well for myself. Here's a pic of me from 2016 (lousy image resolution, but you get the picture!):
View attachment 4778993

That's some serious V going on.

 

[Razman]

Back to feeling normal, @two fingers.

 

[Razman]

A lot of people don't focus enough attention on their backs, but I have a bodybuilder brother who in his prime had lats that made him look like he could be his own hang glider when he did a lat spread pose! There was NO slacking off on back training when working out with him! Lots of lat pulldowns, T-bar rows, barbell rows, and single-arm dumbbell rows. He did deadlifts, too, but I just didn't like doing them.

My lats never came close to his level, but I did pretty well for myself. Here's a pic of me from 2016 (lousy image resolution, but you get the picture!):
View attachment 4778993

My back is becoming one of my stronger areas, but as part of my routine I am trying to keep focus on those weaker areas that tend to be neglected (like my shoulders). My left shoulder was dislocated in '08 so it is still problematic for me, but I have good range of motion and only certain movements cause me problems. I'm deliberate in my routine in that I don't skip out on those 'weaker' areas because they don't feel as strong - I recognize they need attention so I stick with it. Going on a year of being a regular in my gym and not backing off now!!

Raz

 

[two fingers]

My back is becoming one of my stronger areas, but as part of my routine I am trying to keep focus on those weaker areas that tend to be neglected (like my shoulders). My left shoulder was dislocated in '08 so it is still problematic for me, but I have good range of motion and only certain movements cause me problems. I'm deliberate in my routine in that I don't skip out on those 'weaker' areas because they don't feel as strong - I recognize they need attention so I stick with it. Going on a year of being a regular in my gym and not backing off now!!

Raz

When it comes to shoulders, unilateral work opened my eyes to weaknesses I didn't see with the barbell. Switching over to dumbbells, lowering the weight, and slowing the pace have really improved my overall strength and balance. I still like to grab the big bar from time to time. But the dumbbells are what really work my shoulders.

Wanna add one more layer of hard? Make it a dumbbell Z press. Seated, legs stretched out in front. Oy. That'll set your shoulders on FIYUH! (Not me. Just a Google image.)

 

[Razman]

When it comes to shoulders, unilateral work opened my eyes to weaknesses I didn't see with the barbell. Switching over to dumbbells, lowering the weight, and slowing the pace have really improved my overall strength and balance. I still like to grab the big bar from time to time. But the dumbbells are what really work my shoulders.

Wanna add one more layer of hard? Make it a dumbbell Z press. Seated, legs stretched out in front. Oy. That'll set your shoulders on FIYUH! (Not me. Just a Google image.)
View attachment 4779610

Oooooh, that's just the kind of torture I need! I do use both barbell and dumbbell exercises but I'll give this a go when shoulder day comes around next week (as that was yesterday).

 

[MJ5150]

A properly executed face pull does wonders for the rear delts and lesser used back muscles. I do them everyday with exercise bands at home. Form is the key.
I just started doing single arm landmine presses recently and those will light up your shoulders when done properly.

-Mike

 

[FilterFunk]

As I get older, I've found that I basically want to maintain three things from exercising:

1) Everyday health, fitness and strength. If I need to move fairly heavy things, or if I need to do a hard day's worth of yard work or something like that, I want to be able to do it without fear of overtaxing or injuring myself. I'm well past my competitive days. I just want to be reasonably healthy, fit and strong.

2) What I like to call a "deterrent physique." I know I don't look like the last person someone would want to mess with, but I want to make sure I don't look like the first person someone would want to mess with! If somebody is thinking about startin' somethin', I want them to look at me and think, "Okay...maybe not that guy!"

3) I want to look good! I don't mind admitting that I'm motivated by a bit of vanity as well as health, fitness and strength. I want to look in the mirror and like what I see!

 

[Razman]

As I get older, I've found that I basically want to maintain three things from exercising:

1) Everyday health, fitness and strength. If I need to move fairly heavy things, or if I need to do a hard day's worth of yard work or something like that, I want to be able to do it without fear of overtaxing or injuring myself. I'm well past my competitive days. I just want to be reasonably healthy, fit and strong.

2) What I like to call a "deterrent physique." I know I don't look like the last person someone would want to mess with, but I want to make sure I don't look like the first person someone would want to mess with! If somebody is thinking about startin' somethin', I want them to look at me and think, "Okay...maybe not that guy!"

3) I want to look good! I don't mind admitting that I'm motivated by a bit of vanity as well as health, fitness and strength. I want to look in the mirror and like what I see!

Amen.

 

[two fingers]

As I get older, I've found that I basically want to maintain three things from exercising:

1) Everyday health, fitness and strength. If I need to move fairly heavy things, or if I need to do a hard day's worth of yard work or something like that, I want to be able to do it without fear of overtaxing or injuring myself. I'm well past my competitive days. I just want to be reasonably healthy, fit and strong.

2) What I like to call a "deterrent physique." I know I don't look like the last person someone would want to mess with, but I want to make sure I don't look like the first person someone would want to mess with! If somebody is thinking about startin' somethin', I want them to look at me and think, "Okay...maybe not that guy!"

3) I want to look good! I don't mind admitting that I'm motivated by a bit of vanity as well as health, fitness and strength. I want to look in the mirror and like what I see!

I'm right there with you. I'll simply add a fourth for me.

4) Avoid pain and injury. I want to be strong enough, and have a fit enough body, that everyday aches and pains don't slow me down, and I don't "blow out my knee" walking up the stairs. Many people my age (51) and slightly older are falling apart. I know age comes for us all at some point. But I don't plan on going quietly into that good night.

Edited to fix half a dozen thumb typos.

 

[dwm74]

As I get older, I've found that I basically want to maintain three things from exercising:

1) Everyday health, fitness and strength. If I need to move fairly heavy things, or if I need to do a hard day's worth of yard work or something like that, I want to be able to do it without fear of overtaxing or injuring myself. I'm well past my competitive days. I just want to be reasonably healthy, fit and strong.

2) What I like to call a "deterrent physique." I know I don't look like the last person someone would want to mess with, but I want to make sure I don't look like the first person someone would want to mess with! If somebody is thinking about startin' somethin', I want them to look at me and think, "Okay...maybe not that guy!"

3) I want to look good! I don't mind admitting that I'm motivated by a bit of vanity as well as health, fitness and strength. I want to look in the mirror and like what I see!

Excellent summary, and you've nailed my exact same philosophy as well.
I don't want to have to depend on someone to do something for me.
I want to appear to be able to handle myself and then some.
And it's always nice when someone compliments you by underestimating your age by a decade!

 

[rtslinger]

Weighed in today at 186.3. I had a good work out yesterday increased my dumbells by 5 lbs came pretty easy
so pretty happy all and all

 

[rtslinger]

Weighed myself yesterday and what the heck 183.6 instead of 186.3 "that's bananas" as Johnny Lee Long would put it

 

[klejst]

Now that the weather around my area is getting more consistently in the Fall temps I find myself out walking my dog more...it counts and benefits both of us.

 

[rtslinger]

Okay been hit the gym hard these last few months down to 185 lbs
hit tri's 5am this morning

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I'm right there with you. I'll simply add a fourth for me.

4) Avoid pain and injury. I want to be strong enough, and have a fit enough body, that everyday aches and pains don't slow me down, and I don't "blow out my knee" walking up the stairs. Many people my age (51) and slightly older are falling apart. I know age comes for us all at some point. But I don't plan on going quietly into that good night.

Edited to fix half a dozen thumb typos.

Adding a fifth to your fourth, all of which I agree with: Mental health.

I believe mental and physical health are inexorably intertwined. Sure, a person can be physically ill and still generally upbeat, or in great shape and still depressed, but in general they go hand in hand and one trends with the other.

I used to think of my 6 day a week morning circuit training/hydration routine as “VHS”, for “Vanity-Health-Sanity”, but as I’ve gotten older the order has shifted from left/right to right/left and it’s now definitely “SHV”. While the acronym isn’t as memorable, it’s a better representation of what’s actually important as I approach 60 and beyond.