Middle aged men & powerlifting

gand0lph
gand0lph Posts: 2
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Was talking with a co-worker today about lifting, specifically the power lifting moves. He said people "His doctor told him that men our age (over 40) shouldn't be doing those moves anymore. Too much stress on the ligaments and joints."
I used to powerlift back in High School and have just recently started picking it back up. (at 48 yrs old)

Has anyone read any research that they could share, either pro or con, about this topic.

Thanks for the feedback.

Replies

  • brucedelaney
    brucedelaney Posts: 433 Member
    As most doctors are not nutritionists they're also not experts in physical education or exercise sciences. I can't point to any articles right now as it's way too late for me to think straight but I can tell you I haven't felt better and I'd be rather shocked if you couldn't find research to back power lifting past 40. I've only started using these moves in the past 2 months but can tell you that I've never felt better in my life since I've started.


    Oh and Ronnie Coleman is 48, I'd love to see a doctor tell him that power lifting is bad for him.
  • LesterBlackstone
    LesterBlackstone Posts: 291 Member
    Was talking with a co-worker today about lifting, specifically the power lifting moves. He said people "His doctor told him that men our age (over 40) shouldn't be doing those moves anymore. Too much stress on the ligaments and joints."

    Nonsense.

    We do, however, need to be much more mindful of proper prehab, rehab, rest and recovery.
  • Kerri_is_so_very
    Kerri_is_so_very Posts: 999 Member
    I worked with a guy, who is now well into his 50's and he is a tank. However, he has always done it. I can't imagine why you couldn't gradually work your way back to it. Just don't expect too much too soon and possibly look for a reputable trainer to get you started.
  • mamitosami
    mamitosami Posts: 531 Member
    I'm just popping here... I go to the Y, so there are people of all ages there. I have a buddy at the gym that is 82, he was using the Hoist machines the other day and was doing the upright chest press. He lifted 400 pounds that day. I would have a really hard time telling Bob that he shouldn't be lifting that much!! There are several men there that look older than 50 and quite a few more than that that are even older. They are deadlifting and squatting some pretty awesome weights... To me, it's a thing of beauty seeing these guys taking good care of themselves and being able to lift these weights! Pure awesomeness!!

    I would ask around and talk to your own doctor, but I suspect that if you take adequate rest and recovery (as anyone should) you will be the strongest and fittest guy you know.
  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    Message ninerbuff, he's super nice and helpful, a personal trainer who is, according to his profile, 48. I don't know what his regime is, but I'm sure he could tell you whats real and what's bull.

    Also, powerlifting is squats, deadlifts, bench. The fast moves like cleans and snatches are Olympic lifting.
  • mamitosami
    mamitosami Posts: 531 Member
    Message ninerbuff, he's super nice and helpful, a personal trainer who is, according to his profile, 48. I don't know what his regime is, but I'm sure he could tell you whats real and what's bull.

    Also, powerlifting is squats, deadlifts, bench. The fast moves like cleans and snatches are Olympic lifting.


    (I always wondered what the difference was... thanks for the distinction.)
  • LesterBlackstone
    LesterBlackstone Posts: 291 Member
    These guys disagree.

    a6.jpg

    http://www.oregonlive.com/galleries/news/oregonian_today.ssf?/cgi-bin/slide-show.cgi/olive/slide_show.ata?index=5&g_id=6630
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Bumping this. I'm 37...and recently ripped my right lower biceps tendon off my forearm, healed from the surgery (I was back in the gym within a couple weeks), then proceeded to injur my left rotator cuff. By no means am I saying this to cast negative light on lifting when you're approaching middle age, or dead in it. I'm just relating my experiences. If there's information out there that will help, I'm all for finding it.

    Also, clearly...I've no intention of stopping lol.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    As a 44 year old female - I sure hope not as I do them, and I would hate to think what these same folks say about that!
  • jg627
    jg627 Posts: 1,221 Member
    Sounds more like somebody's opinion, regardless if that somebody happens to be a doctor, but that's just my opinion and I've heard opposite opinions from other doctors. There's a dude from India who's 101 years old and shouldn't be running marathons, but he does it anyway.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Most competitive power lifters are near their forties. It takes that many years to build the requisite strength to be a world class competitor. Weight lifting is one of the safest forms of exercise, due to the fact that it strengthens joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones. 99% of weight lifting injuries are due to poor form or careless error, not because the lifts themselves are damaging.
  • ishtar13
    ishtar13 Posts: 528 Member
    As a 44 year old female - I sure hope not as I do them, and I would hate to think what these same folks say about that!

    Yep, 42 year old female lifting heavy here.
  • ishtar13
    ishtar13 Posts: 528 Member
    OP, what the other person said about being careful.

    Start with a low weight and increase every session until you're being challenged. The progress will help your ligaments adapt to the increased load that they aren't used to.

    You should be fine.
  • Family_Man
    Family_Man Posts: 53
    Reality is setting in that I am "Middle aged" Awwwwww PICKLES!:grumble:

    :laugh:
  • ishtar13
    ishtar13 Posts: 528 Member
    Reality is setting in that I am "Middle aged" Awwwwww PICKLES!:grumble:

    :laugh:

    My grandmother and her mother both lived until 86, even with chronic diseases (Parkinson's and diabetes respectively). I very much take after that side of the family. My mother will likely die earlier, but she's been a heavy smoker since the age of 13 and has high blood pressure.

    I figure I'm not "middle aged" until I hit 43. In November. This year. EEK!
  • sleepytexan
    sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
    I am a middle-aged woman and I do powerlifting.

    I would take that doctor down and then ask his opinion again. :laugh:
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    I am a middle-aged woman and I do powerlifting.

    I would take that doctor down and then ask his opinion again. :laugh:

    I refuse to believe that until I see your birth certificate!
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    I am a middle-aged woman and I do powerlifting.

    I would take that doctor down and then ask his opinion again. :laugh:

    Sshhhh - enough with the middle-aged :tongue:
  • Family_Man
    Family_Man Posts: 53
    Reality is setting in that I am "Middle aged" Awwwwww PICKLES!:grumble:

    :laugh:

    My grandmother and her mother both lived until 86, even with chronic diseases (Parkinson's and diabetes respectively). I very much take after that side of the family. My mother will likely die earlier, but she's been a heavy smoker since the age of 13 and has high blood pressure.

    I figure I'm not "middle aged" until I hit 43. In November. This year. EEK!

    I am 43! Lol
  • sleepytexan
    sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
    I am a middle-aged woman and I do powerlifting.

    I would take that doctor down and then ask his opinion again. :laugh:

    I refuse to believe that until I see your birth certificate!

    flattery will get you everywhere.
  • harlanJEN
    harlanJEN Posts: 1,089 Member
    Interesting. Don't think so ....

    I'm 48, lift heavy and have no intention of stopping.

    Also ...someone may need to tell that doc about Ernestine Shepherd : )
  • LesterBlackstone
    LesterBlackstone Posts: 291 Member


    Also ...someone may need to tell that doc about Ernestine Shepherd : )

    So awesome.
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Was talking with a co-worker today about lifting, specifically the power lifting moves. He said people "His doctor told him that men our age (over 40) shouldn't be doing those moves anymore. Too much stress on the ligaments and joints."
    I used to powerlift back in High School and have just recently started picking it back up. (at 48 yrs old)

    Has anyone read any research that they could share, either pro or con, about this topic.

    Thanks for the feedback.

    I say definitely get back into it and let your body tell you what you can and can't do.
  • FlyeredUp
    FlyeredUp Posts: 632 Member
    I'm 42 and and lifting heavy has caused me to feel like I'm 22 again!! :happy:
  • Z_I_L_L_A
    Z_I_L_L_A Posts: 2,399 Member
    46 here and I use to powerlift, 12 years ago I quit for other reasons. Been back at for 5 1/2 months, benching 315 for 5 reps, incline bench 315 for 2 reps, squat 405,dead 405. My back feels fine, my muscles are cooperating and joints are feeling better. So for now doctors can kiss my heavy lifting @zz. I weigh 235, cholesterol at 150, BP at 120 over 68. So if you feel good with it do it. There is a guy at 60 in my gym looks like he stole a 20 year olds body six pack and all.
  • jg627
    jg627 Posts: 1,221 Member
    46 here and I use to powerlift, 12 years ago I quit for other reasons. Been back at for 5 1/2 months, benching 315 for 5 reps, incline bench 315 for 2 reps, squat 405,dead 405. My back feels fine, my muscles are cooperating and joints are feeling better. So for now doctors can kiss my heavy lifting @zz. I weigh 235, cholesterol at 150, BP at 120 over 68. So if you feel good with it do it. There is a guy at 60 in my gym looks like he stole a 20 year olds body six pack and all.
    Remind me not to do the flaming bag of poop gag on your porch.
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