Men: How to build muscle after age 50?

Papa_Grande
Papa_Grande Posts: 63 Member
I'm 54, male, and just started lifting again after about 25 years off.

My traps, arms and delts all feel like playdough....

Question: Will building (then maintaining) muscle in my fifties and sixties require any certain nutritional or hormonal supplements?

I've read a few different takes on it. I've heard testosterone supplements, I've heard creatiine, etc, etc...

Could use some good, science-based advice.


Lowell
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Replies

  • Papa_Grande
    Papa_Grande Posts: 63 Member
    Wow. Great group! :indifferent:
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    Bit quiet around here. :)

    My advice is to stay away from testosterone supplements. Many of them are pricey, and you have no idea what you're taking. Fluctuations in the normal range aren't going to impact your gains significantly. So if a test supplement actually works and boosts your levels 10%, you are still taking an unknown substance and buying an overpriced supplement for no benefit to your gains.
    If you suspect low testosterone, get your levels checked. Get real medical advice and treatment.

    Creatine has a minor benefit for most, and no benefit for some. It won't be a major factor.

    Focus on training and diet, and be consistent. You'll get great results that way.
  • Papa_Grande
    Papa_Grande Posts: 63 Member
    Thanks man!
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    Get into a good, consistent lifting program. Make sure you hit the big three lifts. Bench, deads and squats. Make sure to get in the 8-10 rep range.

    Allow proper recovery (age) and make sure you are eating at a surplus to encourage muscle growth. I'm 46 and not taking any supplments except for whey protein
  • retrobyte
    retrobyte Posts: 169 Member
    I'm 52 and the only supps I take are creatine and magnesium. I make sure I eat plenty of protein, and I make sure I mix up my lifting sessions regularly so I don't get in a rut. The same rules apply no matter how old you are - focus on compound lifts with good technique, no foo-foo exercises, keep the intensity high, don't overtrain, get enough sleep, listen to your body.

    Good luck!
  • Dizzle_65
    Dizzle_65 Posts: 249 Member
    I'm 50 next year so not far behind, as you get older there is evidence that you require more protein

    As retrobyte says, the rules stay the same it's just that parameters change e.g. recovery can take longer than when you were 18 yrs old!!
  • Papa_Grande
    Papa_Grande Posts: 63 Member
    Really appreciate the responses, guys...Thank you.
  • Thorbjornn
    Thorbjornn Posts: 329 Member
    Get into a good, consistent lifting program. Make sure you hit the big three lifts. Bench, deads and squats. Make sure to get in the 8-10 rep range.

    Allow proper recovery (age) and make sure you are eating at a surplus to encourage muscle growth. I'm 46 and not taking any supplments except for whey protein

    This is pretty much it right here. I've always liked, and done well on a 3-4 day split: legs, push, pull and maybe shoulders separated out from the push day. I stay away from the bb'ing supps. too. Just multivitamins, extra B complex, whey protein.
  • Papa_Grande
    Papa_Grande Posts: 63 Member
    Thank you for repsonding....Extra B, eh? Any particular amount?
  • Sarah4fitness
    Sarah4fitness Posts: 437 Member
    Building muscle at any age is the same, really. Eat at a surplus, include protein, if you don't have a very balanced nutrient dense diet, take a multivitamin and supplement with some protein powder and aminos (can help with soreness from a new routine). Lower testosterone levels may slow your results from what you'd have expected when you were younger, but it's not a barrier to your success. After all, women lift and build muscle successfully all the time. ;)
  • Thorbjornn
    Thorbjornn Posts: 329 Member
    Thank you for repsonding....Extra B, eh? Any particular amount?

    No, whatever the bottle is formulated at. Usually they'll say something like Super B Complex and have a recommended amount, like 1-2 tablets or capsules per day.
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    Although when you get older, you can go balls out (or vaginas out) every day. And if you get hurt, it takes forever to recover.

    And you can't eat whatever you want at too big of a surplus because you'll pack the fat on like no tomorrow.
  • nyqueensguy
    nyqueensguy Posts: 100 Member
    No doubt consistency is where its at. You can get any of a number of good routines on the net, but following them is key. No supplement in the world can substitute for lifting. You have to put in the work, time, and be consistent. After that, diet and supplements. "There's a world of difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it."- Bill Phillips.
  • Papa_Grande
    Papa_Grande Posts: 63 Member
    Building muscle at any age is the same, really. Eat at a surplus, include protein, if you don't have a very balanced nutrient dense diet, take a multivitamin and supplement with some protein powder and aminos (can help with soreness from a new routine). Lower testosterone levels may slow your results from what you'd have expected when you were younger, but it's not a barrier to your success. After all, women lift and build muscle successfully all the time. ;)

    Thanks!
  • See Wayne Westcott's Building Strength and Stamina. You don't need his newer books just Strength and Stamina which used on Amazon is about dirt cheap and check in you-tube lectures which includes some times nutrition for old fools like me.
  • Look at Kleiner's Power Eating. Th latest edition on Kindle is inexpensive.
  • Papa_Grande
    Papa_Grande Posts: 63 Member
    Thank you
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    The main difference is increased recovery time. Listen to your body and ensure you get enough rest between training.

    You could get blood test done to check your testosterone levels if you think that could be an issue. No harm really.
  • BenVoiles
    BenVoiles Posts: 17
    I really believe that inclines are better than bench presses for bodybuilding. I think the bench press is the most over used exercise ever invented. I would recommend doing at least as many incline presses as flat benches. Most men( including me) I know have over developed lower pecs and underdeveloped upper pecs. Also, as you get older the risk of developing rotator cuff probems increases.
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    I really believe that inclines are better than bench presses for bodybuilding. I think the bench press is the most over used exercise ever invented. I would recommend doing at least as many incline presses as flat benches. Most men( including me) I know have over developed lower pecs and underdeveloped upper pecs. Also, as you get older the risk of developing rotator cuff probems increases.

    IMHO only but while I agree that inclines should be included, doesn't incline have more should risk than flat bench?
  • nick1109
    nick1109 Posts: 174 Member
    I really believe that inclines are better than bench presses for bodybuilding. I think the bench press is the most over used exercise ever invented. I would recommend doing at least as many incline presses as flat benches. Most men( including me) I know have over developed lower pecs and underdeveloped upper pecs. Also, as you get older the risk of developing rotator cuff probems increases.

    IMHO only but while I agree that inclines should be included, doesn't incline have more should risk than flat bench?

    Incline decline flat smith what ever! it doesn't matter as long as you're doing one vertical pushing movement and one horizontal pushing movement, intensely and basing your sessions poundage progression it makes little difference.

    So much bro bro science on hitting the 'muscle for all angles' blah blah.

    OP its very simple, eat a diet consisting of nutrient dense foods in a small surplus, train hard and progressivly without changing your routine every week, get plenty of sleep, avoid stress, shoot for roughly 1g protein per lbs of body weight and enjoy!

    As somebody has mentioned if you're worried about your testosterone levels go see a dr and get it chcked
  • jaweiss1
    jaweiss1 Posts: 71 Member
    I really believe that inclines are better than bench presses for bodybuilding. I think the bench press is the most over used exercise ever invented. I would recommend doing at least as many incline presses as flat benches. Most men( including me) I know have over developed lower pecs and underdeveloped upper pecs. Also, as you get older the risk of developing rotator cuff probems increases.

    IMHO only but while I agree that inclines should be included, doesn't incline have more should risk than flat bench?
    Yes, incline bench position reduces the subacromial space and thus can cause impingement. For people with a smaller space to begin with or those with existing injuries, this can lead to problems.
  • I just turned 47, and a Personal Trainer. My goal is to help others in our age bracket. Outside of supplements, focus on eating nutrient dense foods. As for supplements, I use protein powder (more plant based) and testosterone supplements, and a vitamin pack that is geared for older men. The results are great, but what I do may not work for someone else. To maintain lean muscle without supplements, just eating properly, and figuring out the big 3 ratio (Protein, carbs and fat)
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    Older, you have been diagnosed with Low T?
  • kikstand
    kikstand Posts: 36 Member
    I've just injured my back again, two days after my back routine.
    I'm 52 and started lifting again this year with a 4day muscle group split. I was searching the forums as well as Google trying to make sense of why I have trouble with my lower back. Last month was a lower intensity month due to an August injury identical to this one. I'm thinking my strain is associated with mounting and dismounting my bench with dumbbells, or in Thursday's back routine, dumbbell bent arm pullovers.
    As far as the incline topic, I have noticed pain in my shoulders during incline bench that is not present during flat bench or military shoulder presses. Also doing crunches or sit-ups I have a popping sensation in my hip area. I continue to reduce my intensity and eliminate certain exercises to compensate for these obstacles, yet still I have back pain. I am determined to persevere.
    I take beef protein after workouts, multivitamins, glucosomine/condroitin, and fish oil daily. I have been juicing fruits and vegetables for most of this year and counting my calories through the mfp app.
    I'm a mess and my family thinks I'm out of my mind. I think they may be on to something.
  • JWB101
    JWB101 Posts: 5
    I'm 53 and can relate. I am going through the injuries also. Hurt my shoulder last week and don't really know how or which movement was the culprit. As for as different exercises such as incline or flat being better, I have a different take on that. I believe in the path of movement. I have a few joints; hip, shoulder, elbow, etc. that I have to be careful with. If I lift outside of the path that a certain joint is comfortable with, I get pain. Incline bench, no shoulder pain, flat bench, ouch! I'm doing more on machines these days but adding in light workouts with dumb bells. Got a pain in the center of both kneecaps when I squat, so I do my squats on a Hammer Machine and not too deep. As for the family, they just keep shaking their head. Keep up the good work!
  • check out congruent exercise. see youtube video and/or book. Especially for old men." I was your age once but cannot remember it." It is body building with an emphasis on avoiding injury.
  • I read the question and thought I might contribute. The I scanned the responses. Papa Grande, your in good company. Solid advice in every post. I'm 61. Started weight training in Jan. of '14 w/ really rewarding results in a short amount of time. (6 mo.) Consistency IS key. Supp's, by-in-large are a waste of money. It's a learning journey. Take it.
    BTW, I liked the vibe and info so much I had to Join the Group!
  • RickDube64
    RickDube64 Posts: 12 Member
    I'm 50 years old. I try to get about a gram and a half of protein per pound of body weight per day. I use Body Fortress whey protein to make up for what I can't eat. I use kre-alkalyn creatine, and N.O. Fury for muscle pumps. I really notice the difference without them. As far as lifting, I'm not doing anything different than I did when I lifted in my late 20's and I'm making great strides. (I need to update my profile pic). The key difference for me at my age, is that I'm not worried about how much weight I can lift like I did when I was younger. I lift enough to get at least 8 reps. If I find that I can do 4 sets of 10 reps, then I lift heavier next time. I am careful to concentrate on proper form so I don't hurt myself, and what I don't know how to do properly, I get on YouTube and learn how to do.
  • Kryptonite1965
    Kryptonite1965 Posts: 3 Member
    1gram per pound of body weight forprotein is a good place to start. a multivitamin is a good thing. Creatine does help me get a better pump and feel stronger but it's optional. as I have aged I have found its advantage to focus on the contraction of your muscle and get a really good burn on your reps. less emphasis on the amount of weight you can do more emphasis on the contraction. I have found my recuperation is better if I do less but intense sets, fewer than I used to but intense. Eat good, sleep good. Kick *kitten*.