Are you an older woman doing serious lifting?

Resolve2B

If so I would love to hear from you!

I'm 5'4" and am pretty comfortable with my current weight (113) but man oh man I am just one mushy mess when it comes to muscles. My poor skinny arms have withered to sticks. Not a pretty sight. It's true that after a certain point, the loss of muscle mass happens SO quickly...it has been nothing short of alarming!

I MUST start lifting and intend to start by using the machines at a local gym because I need to do something to get started and that is something I can do independently (I've used them before a number of years ago). Once I feel stronger and more confident I want to start working on the free weights side of the gym.

I am looking for experiences, advice, encouragement (photos?) from other older women (over 50) who are serious about weight training and who feel they have acheived results.

If you are a trainer who has worked with older women I'd also love to hear from you.

I am 62 and look pretty good in my clothes...but I still want to wear a bikini, damn it! LOL.

yankeedownsouth

I PM'd you!

acpgee

I'm 51 and started lifting in the eighties. Have been doing it off and on ever since, though I took most of the nineties off. I used to do a lot of free weights, but since getting a neurological disease in 2011 that affects my balance it is no longer safe for me to carry plates and dumbells from the machine to the rack. Hence, I am pretty much limited to machines nowadays. I still do pullovers, isolated arm work, and lateral raises with dumbells. Also due to balance issues following nerve damage in my feet and legs, it is not safe for me to squat, lunge or deadlift. I do plan to learn how to squat in the smith machine, which might be an option for me.

My first set of machine bench is 66 kg and my three sets of machine rows is 88 kg, which is heavy for me. My workouts are maybe a little stuck in the eighties, in that I do more isolation work than is recommended these days.

meshashesha2012

look up ernestine shepherd!

Sabine_Stroehm

Love this thread Resolve2B!

CHSegl

Profile photo courtesy of Stronglifts 5x5 and about 1.5 yr of dedicated effort in the local gym. 53 yr old, eats whatever doesn't eat her first, and lifts heavy weights!! PR deadlift just north of 220#. Go For It!!!!

ChristineinMA

I'm 49 and working out at home with FitnessBlender videos (dumbbells and bodyweight) some day I hope to advance to lifting heavy :-)

Resolve2B

Thanks, Ladies!

If any of you would like to have a "friend" connection, please send me a request.

I really want to make some changes and it's always easier with the motivation of like-minded souls!

The problem with being "older" is that it's harder to find people in the same demographic who are really wanting to work hard at something like this. To look at me you'd probably not believe I'd ever be able to take on any kind of lifting. I'd like to defy the "odds".

Beautiful arms CHFay and YDS!!

Sabine_Stroehm

Thanks, Ladies!

If any of you would like to have a "friend" connection, please send me a request.

I really want to make some changes and it's always easier with the motivation of like-minded souls!

The problem with being "older" is that it's harder to find people in the same demographic who are really wanting to work hard at something like this. To look at me you'd probably not believe I'd ever be able to take on any kind of lifting. I'd like to defy the "odds".

Beautiful arms CHFay!!

You and I are friends, and I'm a bit younger (49), but if you ever want to bounce ideas for lifting off me, send me a message. I've been lifting since about 1996, with a one year hiatus last year.
cheers!

Resolve2B

Thanks, Sabine! I will be posting on my newsfeed so would LOVE feedback and advice!

Azdak

Given my age (almost 61), my clients tend to be older and many are female.

Unless you have specific limitations, there is no inherent physical reason why you can't lift weights, and ultimately push it as hard as you want.

You approach of starting on machines is perfectly fine. This is not a race. The one concession to age is that progress can be a little slower, and when starting out you have to allow the joints, tendons, ligaments, etc to adapt and catch up to your muscle strength. So starting off with lighter weights (12-15 reps) is fine. However, it is still important to progressively increase your weights as your strength increases.

The women I work with are not athletes or started off being fit or experienced lifters--most had never lifted weights at all. But they have all made significant progress and they all do "regular" exercises--squats, deadlifts bench press, rows, etc--all at weights that match their abilities, of course.

So no need to put any limits on yourself--you're never too old to start lifting weights.

arabianhorselover

I am 53, and have been doing Stronglifts for about a year. I have gained a lot in strength.

Resolve2B

I appreciate the responses!

I've also appreciated some of the PMs some of the guys have sent. Please know that it was not my intention to make the gentlemen feel unwelcome on this thread. Thanks, guys, for not being offended and for sending the very helpful remarks via the personal message option. xoxo

m_wilh

BUMP

dolliesdaughter

While I am only 42, as I grow older I want to continue lifting. Keep it up.