ONLINE Q&A

Return to Online Q&A question list

Let's see if I can come up with a suitable answer for Richard who at 45 wants to get back to his love of a long, long time ago - bodybuilding. Question - any chance of making respectable gains in size and strength? These days?

What can I say? (No, Richard, it's over. Get a bigger couch?) Of course, the answer is of course.

Though I've never stopped training, it did shift to the background as I meandered thru my 30's and early 40's. At 45 precisely Laree and I suddenly decided to build a gym. My enthusiasm for my training was aroused considerably by the project and I cranked up the training, dialed in the diet, adjusted the attitude. I didn't know what to hope for as bodybuilding is young and 45 was then a frontier - not many guideposts. What I found is there are years of muscle growth ahead - 10 at least if you're attentive and careful and wise and push. My best deadlift and squat was in the summer of '98 - my lowest bodyfat-lean muscle ratio was around then and now.

Yes, you lose things in the translation as you get older; joints get cranky, repair is slower, injuries migrate through the body. But the upside is a big good feeling.

Richard - go with your urge to workout, stay in touch with this site. Things will only get better if you do. If you don't, things may be as good right now as they'll ever get. I'm a believer.