I'm almost 72 and am currently fitter and stronger than I've ever been in my entire life thanks to the fact that I started resistance training about four years ago after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. It really doesn't take a whole lot of time to see radical improvements in strength and robustness if you just stay consistent.
Turn 77 in July. Started lifting August 2023. Then 210lb bw; now 179. At 5'10.5" (a bit too tall for my weight class of 181.7), nowxdoing competition singles with 220; hope to get to 240 by my birthday. Strength can increase a lot, even if you are older. Just work smart, eat right, and rest well.
I always appreciate these videos, Phil. It’s good to have Periodic reminders of why we lift with barbells, and how to do it. I started in my early 50s, when I realized I would be retiring in just a few years, and also ran across the starting strength channel. I looked at it as training for retirement, and I expect to continue forever, which is the beauty of the system. Learned the lifts using Rip’s videos, and continue to be motivated and learn more technique from yours and a couple others- they’re gold, particularly for someone with no starting strength gym in the area.
@ and therein lies the key. I can't even get my wife on board. Not sure how to motivate other than lead by example. Even bought a kick ass rack and plates at home.
@ good to know and thanks for the great content. Have watched strength stuff for years and think you are my new favorite. I like it cause you get to the point and the information is excellent in the minute details.
I'm grateful to you for making this video. I'm a lifer, but many people, including my wife, are not. They need this encouragement as much as the training.
I’ll be 66 in two months. I don’t consider myself old or even close to being a senior. Until a senior citizens discount is in play. Then I’m a senior all day long. 👊
Such an important video! When the CDC released their report on falls stating "Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older," I was even more motivated to keep lifting. Now if only I lived in Nebraska 🤣
Good video for us older people. I'm 65 and starting over. I noticed you didn't mention rows. Was there a reason? I'm wondering if i should do the regular 5x5 or maybe Madcow since I'm starting over from a year layoff, Thanks.
Thanks very much, and I’m not sure if you saw this part, but I put a comment in the video (printed, not spoken) about the fact that this is simply how the program starts and that there are eventually changes such as another pull. We usually utilize pulldowns (or chins if someone can do them) as the first option on another pull (if someone isn’t doing power cleans, which is common with older lifters), but the row is a good option as well. I would strongly recommend the Starting Strength Linear Progression instead of madcow/5x5.
@@TestifySC Thanks for the reply. I just want to get back to what my numbers were in my early 20's if possible for someone my age. Bench 300 Squat 405 Deadlift 510 @185 lbs
Here's a tip for my fellow older athletes, exercise your feet! Seniors sit too much throughout the day, even if they do exercise. Keep the muscles in your feet strong and developed!
I used to only work out with dumbbells, then about 5 years ago, moved to Starting Strength and barbells. From my experience, you can never get really strong without barbells, - you just can't go heavy enough. My strenght went up considerably and quickly when I switched.
I'm almost 72 and am currently fitter and stronger than I've ever been in my entire life thanks to the fact that I started resistance training about four years ago after being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. It really doesn't take a whole lot of time to see radical improvements in strength and robustness if you just stay consistent.
Indeed, and way to go!
Turn 77 in July. Started lifting August 2023. Then 210lb bw; now 179. At 5'10.5" (a bit too tall for my weight class of 181.7), nowxdoing competition singles with 220; hope to get to 240 by my birthday. Strength can increase a lot, even if you are older. Just work smart, eat right, and rest well.
Way to go, John!
I always appreciate these videos, Phil. It’s good to have Periodic reminders of why we lift with barbells, and how to do it. I started in my early 50s, when I realized I would be retiring in just a few years, and also ran across the starting strength channel. I looked at it as training for retirement, and I expect to continue forever, which is the beauty of the system. Learned the lifts using Rip’s videos, and continue to be motivated and learn more technique from yours and a couple others- they’re gold, particularly for someone with no starting strength gym in the area.
Thanks for the kind words, JC, and that’s great that you continue to train and learn!
70 years old here. The most important video I've seen all year....great way to finish off. thanks.
You’re welcome, and thank you as well - that’s high praise!
Every healthcare is start from lifting and thank you 🙏 testify 🙏
You're welcome!
Can only imagine how gratifying it would be to dramatically improve the quality of someone's life through strength.
It is indeed. If they're willing to show up and put in the work, it does exactly that.
@ and therein lies the key. I can't even get my wife on board. Not sure how to motivate other than lead by example. Even bought a kick ass rack and plates at home.
That's a hard one as getting family members to start is often the toughest "sell."
@ good to know and thanks for the great content. Have watched strength stuff for years and think you are my new favorite. I like it cause you get to the point and the information is excellent in the minute details.
I'm grateful to you for making this video. I'm a lifer, but many people, including my wife, are not. They need this encouragement as much as the training.
By lifer, I mean, been doing weights all of my life.
Agreed!
I’ll be 66 in two months. I don’t consider myself old or even close to being a senior. Until a senior citizens discount is in play. Then I’m a senior all day long. 👊
Ha! Absolutely :-)
Such an important video! When the CDC released their report on falls stating "Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older," I was even more motivated to keep lifting. Now if only I lived in Nebraska 🤣
Thanks Harry! You know, Omaha is such a popular vacation destination :-)
This is a wonderful video to start the new year Phil
Thanks very much, Michael, and I hope your training is going well!
Happy New Year! Love your content.
Thanks very much, Jeremy, and happy new year to you as well!
Good job, God bless.
Thanks, and God's blessings to you as well!
Good video for us older people. I'm 65 and starting over. I noticed you didn't mention rows. Was there a reason? I'm wondering if i should do the regular 5x5 or maybe Madcow since I'm starting over from a year layoff, Thanks.
Thanks very much, and I’m not sure if you saw this part, but I put a comment in the video (printed, not spoken) about the fact that this is simply how the program starts and that there are eventually changes such as another pull. We usually utilize pulldowns (or chins if someone can do them) as the first option on another pull (if someone isn’t doing power cleans, which is common with older lifters), but the row is a good option as well. I would strongly recommend the Starting Strength Linear Progression instead of madcow/5x5.
@@TestifySC Thanks for the reply. I just want to get back to what my numbers were in my early 20's if possible for someone my age. Bench 300 Squat 405 Deadlift 510 @185 lbs
Here's a tip for my fellow older athletes, exercise your feet! Seniors sit too much throughout the day, even if they do exercise. Keep the muscles in your feet strong and developed!
After training consistently for just under 2 years, I now have the strength of 10 Morgan Freeman's.
Way to stick with it!
Personally I prefer dumbbells barbells work your muscles in "fixed grooves" and dumbbells are better for working inbalances.
I used to only work out with dumbbells, then about 5 years ago, moved to Starting Strength and barbells. From my experience, you can never get really strong without barbells, - you just can't go heavy enough. My strenght went up considerably and quickly when I switched.