50 shades of lifting............

twiglet1959
twiglet1959 Posts: 20 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
looking for friends who are into lifting - are there any 'maturer' lifters out there? I'm over 50 and I need someone to kick my butt every now and then when i moan 'but I'm over 50, can I really do this stuff?'

Ive mentioned fleetingly to my brood - who incidentally keep laughing at me, that Im seriously thinking of taking up this form of exercise as I suffer with fibromyalgia and have read this could possibly help. They stare at me as though I have definitely lost my marbles. I want to try and prove to them it is achievable and also that THEY should do it too!

what do you think? please add me if you too feel like this / need a friend if you are just starting lifting / have kids / partner that is just laughing at you for even 'considering' this.

btw, Im 55 <nearly> Female, I'm currently o/w but have lost almost 3 stone, suffer with fibromyalgia, but have a very healthy 'young' outlook, and come from Yorkshire UK. I have recently added some younger friends (thank you for adding me ), so naturally my invitation is not limited to just over 50's, I'm happy to add anyone who is interested in lifting -beginners and pros :smile:

Replies

  • Squidgeypaws007
    Squidgeypaws007 Posts: 1,012 Member
    My partner and family don't dare laugh at me now that I'm stronger than them :bigsmile:

    You haven't lost your marbles at all, there have been several recent reports stating the health benefits of lifting relating to not only bone density, but diabetes and cardiovascular disease so, welcome to an amazing exercise :smile:
  • twiglet1959
    twiglet1959 Posts: 20 Member
    ...thank you! :smile:
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    Hi twiglet.

    You've definitely made the right decision, lifting just makes you feel great and there are so many health benefits. Have you decided on a programme yet?
  • rlw911
    rlw911 Posts: 475 Member
    You've made the right decision! I started lifting back in October, when I was 57. Best decision I ever made. :happy: I do StrongLifts and am a member of the SL for women group. Come on over and check it out. We're all ages, several over 40 and up.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/4618-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

    If you're interested in StrongLIfts, there's a great summary of the program in the "stickies" at the top of the group forum.
  • twiglet1959
    twiglet1959 Posts: 20 Member
    not decided on a programme yet, gathering as much info first..then ready for the off.
    thanks for your support :flowerforyou:
  • twiglet1959
    twiglet1959 Posts: 20 Member
    not decided on a programme yet, gathering as much info first..then ready for the off.
    thanks for your support :flowerforyou:

    thanks for the link also...will head over now and check out.
  • Harrisonsauntie2005
    Harrisonsauntie2005 Posts: 215 Member
    looking for friends who are into lifting - are there any 'maturer' lifters out there? I'm over 50 and I need someone to kick my butt every now and then when i moan 'but I'm over 50, can I really do this stuff?'

    Ive mentioned fleetingly to my brood - who incidentally keep laughing at me, that Im seriously thinking of taking up this form of exercise as I suffer with fibromyalgia and have read this could possibly help. They stare at me as though I have definitely lost my marbles. I want to try and prove to them it is achievable and also that THEY should do it too!

    what do you think? please add me if you too feel like this / need a friend if you are just starting lifting / have kids / partner that is just laughing at you for even 'considering' this.

    btw, Im 55 <nearly> Female, I'm currently o/w but have lost almost 3 stone, suffer with fibromyalgia, but have a very healthy 'young' outlook, and come from Yorkshire UK. I have recently added some younger friends (thank you for adding me ), so naturally my invitation is not limited to just over 50's, I'm happy to add anyone who is interested in lifting -beginners and pros :smile:

    You Legend - wish I could get my mother into lifting!
  • Strokingdiction
    Strokingdiction Posts: 1,164 Member
    So are you looking to combine lifting with S&M?

    That sounds kinky and scary.

    I'll pass... for now.
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,371 Member
    Hey, good choice... I've seen some amazing results (on here, I mean, not on me :laugh: ) from lifting.

    I'm 50 and started lifting last year... I won't even pretend that I'm lifting "heavy" yet... I'm concerned about bone density as I have family history of severe osteoporosis as well as muscle loss in menopause. And I was also interested in firming up some bits that had suddenly become rather mushy; I'm slightly underweight so losing weight wasn't exactly the answer for me.

    Anyway. I haven't made much progress yet and I'm limited in that I don't have access to a gym, can't get the hang of squatting with a barbell, and I keep injuring myself doing other stuff so I have to take breaks... but I'm persevering.

    Personally, I don't do Stronglifts (yet) because it starts with a 45 lb bar and my upper body lifts are nowhere near 45 lbs, so I'm on the allpro beginner program.
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    not decided on a programme yet, gathering as much info first..then ready for the off.
    thanks for your support :flowerforyou:

    Some good books with beginner programmes included are, 'starting strength', 'strong curves' and 'new rules of lifting for women'.

    New rules is a good read but, IMO, quite a complicated routine with the need for quite a bit of equipment. Strong curves, as you can probably imagine, is all about the booty! Also a good read/programme.

    Starting strength is the one that really helped me. It goes really in depth into form and the effects the different lifts have on your body. I started off doing the Stronglifts 5x5 programme (which is great btw - free website sets everything out for you) but I had issues squatting with the bar, all psychological, I think.

    So my advice would be - try Stronglifts 5x5. If you get it down right away, brilliant. If not, read starting strength.
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member

    Personally, I don't do Stronglifts (yet) because it starts with a 45 lb bar and my upper body lifts are nowhere near 45 lbs, so I'm on the allpro beginner program.

    You sound like you're happy with your routine but I'll throw this in just incase,

    I also had serious issues squatting with the bar. So, I went back to basics. Read starting strength and, literally, started with 0kg. I got a broomstick and some small plates for the house (4 x1.25, 2.5 and 5kg) and worked up 2.5 at a time till I got to the bar. That's not even a year ago now and I can't believe how light the empty bar feels now :)
  • twiglet1959
    twiglet1959 Posts: 20 Member
    Hey, good choice... I've seen some amazing results (on here, I mean, not on me :laugh: ) from lifting.

    I'm 50 and started lifting last year... I won't even pretend that I'm lifting "heavy" yet... I'm concerned about bone density as I have family history of severe osteoporosis as well as muscle loss in menopause. And I was also interested in firming up some bits that had suddenly become rather mushy; I'm slightly underweight so losing weight wasn't exactly the answer for me.

    Anyway. I haven't made much progress yet and I'm limited in that I don't have access to a gym, can't get the hang of squatting with a barbell, and I keep injuring myself doing other stuff so I have to take breaks... but I'm persevering.

    Personally, I don't do Stronglifts (yet) because it starts with a 45 lb bar and my upper body lifts are nowhere near 45 lbs, so I'm on the allpro beginner program.

    that is so inspiring! thank you
  • twiglet1959
    twiglet1959 Posts: 20 Member
    not decided on a programme yet, gathering as much info first..then ready for the off.
    thanks for your support :flowerforyou:

    Some good books with beginner programmes included are, 'starting strength', 'strong curves' and 'new rules of lifting for women'.

    New rules is a good read but, IMO, quite a complicated routine with the need for quite a bit of equipment. Strong curves, as you can probably imagine, is all about the booty! Also a good read/programme.

    Starting strength is the one that really helped me. It goes really in depth into form and the effects the different lifts have on your body. I started off doing the Stronglifts 5x5 programme (which is great btw - free website sets everything out for you) but I had issues squatting with the bar, all psychological, I think.

    So my advice would be - try Stronglifts 5x5. If you get it down right away, brilliant. If not, read starting strength.

    great advice... I have recently got the book NROLW, but the other book you mention ( starting strength )does sound better so may just treat myself to that also.
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,371 Member
    You sound like you're happy with your routine but I'll throw this in just incase,

    I also had serious issues squatting with the bar. So, I went back to basics. Read starting strength and, literally, started with 0kg. I got a broomstick and some small plates for the house (4 x1.25, 2.5 and 5kg) and worked up 2.5 at a time till I got to the bar. That's not even a year ago now and I can't believe how light the empty bar feels now :)

    Thank you! I do appreciate the advice.

    The other problem I've had with the bar is grinding on my vertebrae, as I have a very bony upper body and my spine is quite prominent. I tried all sorts of strange things to cushion it but still ended up with some nasty bruising.

    I currently do goblet squats with a kettle bell, but I'm on my heaviest kettle bell now and not sure I really want to spend the money on more of them. I can maintain good form with the goblet squats but as soon as I shift to the bar, one knee starts collapsing inward on the lift. Makes me kinda nervous what would happen to that knee if I was moving some serious weight.
  • RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle
    RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle Posts: 1,349 Member
    I'm 3 1/2 years from 50. I lift, but often have to switch it up or rest because of a long I'm-not-getting-any-younger shoulder issue.
  • dicoveringwhoIam
    dicoveringwhoIam Posts: 480 Member
    Hi :)
    Feel to add me. I have MS. I started lifting 2 yrs ago and just really start power lifting 8 months ago. I feel better now than I did in my 20s. I have also sustained a traumatic injury 8weeks ago and am now 6 weeks post-op. I was able to continue to workout from the waist up. It can be dine it you set your mind on it.
  • twiglet1959
    twiglet1959 Posts: 20 Member
    I'm 3 1/2 years from 50. I lift, but often have to switch it up or rest because of a long I'm-not-getting-any-younger shoulder issue.

    great to have these informative replies
    :)
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    You sound like you're happy with your routine but I'll throw this in just incase,

    I also had serious issues squatting with the bar. So, I went back to basics. Read starting strength and, literally, started with 0kg. I got a broomstick and some small plates for the house (4 x1.25, 2.5 and 5kg) and worked up 2.5 at a time till I got to the bar. That's not even a year ago now and I can't believe how light the empty bar feels now :)

    Thank you! I do appreciate the advice.

    The other problem I've had with the bar is grinding on my vertebrae, as I have a very bony upper body and my spine is quite prominent. I tried all sorts of strange things to cushion it but still ended up with some nasty bruising.

    I currently do goblet squats with a kettle bell, but I'm on my heaviest kettle bell now and not sure I really want to spend the money on more of them. I can maintain good form with the goblet squats but as soon as I shift to the bar, one knee starts collapsing inward on the lift. Makes me kinda nervous what would happen to that knee if I was moving some serious weight.

    My knees did/do that too - I need to really concentrate on tracking them over my feet.

    Sounds like you're doing high bar if the bar rubs your vertebrae. Right, bear with me as I'm not great at explaining stuff. If you address the bar (with it about the height of your solar plexus), hands at shoulder width then step under and up, your shoulders should squeeze together (if you have the bar low enough) to create a natural cushion for the bar to sit on. Keep your thumbs on top of the bar with your fingers not wrapped around - if you grip it with your thumbs around then, eventually, when the weight gets heavier, your wrists aren't going to be able to support it.

    Both Mehdi (the Stronglifts guy) and mark rippetoe have videos on YouTube that'll give you a better idea. Also, as I'm sure I mentioned, starting strength gives a great description and pics etc on all things squat - I could not do them at all before reading it. Are you US or UK - if UK then amazon has a free preview of some of the first chapter which is on squats - worth a nosy.
  • twiglet1959
    twiglet1959 Posts: 20 Member
    *bump*
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,371 Member
    My knees did/do that too - I need to really concentrate on tracking them over my feet.

    Sounds like you're doing high bar if the bar rubs your vertebrae. Right, bear with me as I'm not great at explaining stuff. If you address the bar (with it about the height of your solar plexus), hands at shoulder width then step under and up, your shoulders should squeeze together (if you have the bar low enough) to create a natural cushion for the bar to sit on. Keep your thumbs on top of the bar with your fingers not wrapped around - if you grip it with your thumbs around then, eventually, when the weight gets heavier, your wrists aren't going to be able to support it.

    Both Mehdi (the Stronglifts guy) and mark rippetoe have videos on YouTube that'll give you a better idea. Also, as I'm sure I mentioned, starting strength gives a great description and pics etc on all things squat - I could not do them at all before reading it. Are you US or UK - if UK then amazon has a free preview of some of the first chapter which is on squats - worth a nosy.

    I'm neither US nor UK, I'm in Canada.

    Okay, clearly I need to do more research, because my bar grip looks nothing like what you describe, my fingers are over the top of it.

    And I think I've probably been holding my shoulders all wrong. Having injured both rotator cuffs (those not-getting-any-younger things! lol) I tend to favour my shoulders and kinda try not to move them around much, particularly when heavy weight is involved.

    I'm also limited to what I can lift into position myself since I don't have a squat rack or a helper.

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