Bodybuilding At 40 And Beyond

Today is a great day to get in shape! People think that only twenty-somethings can have those perfect, muscular bodies, but that’s not true in the least; more and more people are discovering the fun of bodybuilding over 40. No matter what your age, there are going to be precautions to take to protect yourself.

When looking to get into bodybuilding over 40, you should look at how other people your age are doing it. Look at men and women with your same basic body type and whose fitness goals are similar to your own and use them as your role models. Consider taking a page from their training schedules and workouts. Notice that they start with a gradual workout.

When bodybuilding beyond 40, you need a longer cycle that will give your body the rest it needs. Because it’s not accustomed to this sudden exercise, your body needs time to recover.

A sample program many people have found useful is: target a muscle group for day 1, rest on days 2-3, target a second muscle group on day 4, rest on days 5-6. On day 7 exercise the rest of your body, and take two more days to recover. As your body gets into better shape you’ll find yourself able to cut back on your rest days.

Never begin with too much weight. It is common for younger people to mistakenly begin too high. This is not because they can start with more weight than you, it is because their bodies can endure and repair damage they cause much faster. Begin at a very low weight, the amount may vary per person. Start low enough so that you can maintain control while you perform proper movements and techniques.

Begin your bodybuilding over 40 with more repetitions of small weights. 15 is a good number to start with. You could consider a periodized style where, every other cycle, you begin to add more weight but do fewer reps. It’s really up to you and your body to determine how fast it can recover from these workouts, and when it’s ready for the next one. Eventually, though, you will be able to increase the weight.

In order to prevent getting injuries, you should warm up before you work out. First, stretch, followed by a 5-10 minute cardio routine. Following that you should target the muscle group you intend to concentrate on that day by lifting roughly half your target weight for 10 reps. Perhaps you want to lift 200 pounds this afternoon, so you should lift 100 pounds or less a few times to get those muscles ready.

If you’ve been injured in the past, remember to protect it. It doesn’t matter if it’s ten or twenty years old, you should still be careful so you don’t re-injure yourself. Talking to your doctor before you begin any exercise regime is a good idea, especially when it concerns those old injuries. He might be able to give you advice on what exercises to avoid, or supply you with a brace.

These are simple tips to help people who are bodybuilding over 40. And if you have more questions or concerns, don’t be afraid to ask a certified trainer. They’re there to show you how to get the best out of your body. You can also visit my website if you want to find more tips and workouts. Using caution, common sense, and asking questions are the best tools you have to prepare yourself for bodybuilding over 40, and getting you started on the road to fitness.

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