Fishing & Fitness

[A-Jay]

They seem to compliment each other rather well.

 

Helps with the hookset too.

 

I'll admit to using rod warranties a little more often though.

 

So here's this morning's deadlift action.

 

500lbs at 56 years old - feeling good.

 

A-Jay

 

 

​

[Senko lover]

Dang AJ, you're a beast! Really helps those 3 piece travel rods.......

[flyfisher]

you are a beast....

[Smokinal]

It's definitely good to stay in shape. I'm still healing from my tricep re-attachment. I'm 4 months post-op and I have about 2 more months before I can really start back doing anything. I can't wait!

Nice work A-Jay!

[clayton86]

[Bluebasser86]

I'd pass out if I tried to deadlift that much. I use to be big into working out. Then I started working 2 jobs, got married, had a kid, it was all downhill from there. 

[Oregon Native]

Oh my.....that's a serious workout.  You could use sturgeon rods for flippin!!!

Since my  life's battle a couple years ago with acute pancreatitis and all it's side benefits (not) I've been working out this last year and even though it's not to your level it has made a huge difference to my body.  I'm 65 and try and walk around four times a week and do some stretch exercises for back and shoulders and with my diet now of very little or no wheat and processed sugar I'm feeling pretty good.  Firm believer if you don't use it you loose it....especially when you get older.

Keep up the good work.

[Bankbeater]

All I can say is WOW, you are in shape.

[lo n slo]

A Jay you are the man! My friend and I used to hit it pretty hard back in the day. Now in our late 50's, we're on the maintenance plan. My wife is 7 years younger than me so I gotta be able to hang. LOL

We hit the gym 7:30, 4 days a week with a 4 mile walk thrown in on Wednesday morning to break things up. But we stopped lifting heavy about 5 years ago. Lighter weights now, repping out 20-25, 4 sets, different body parts daily. Our work day usually starts at 10am til 3 or 4. Being retired city workers allows us some leeway these days. But carpentry work on top of a good morning work out makes for an active day. I do feel fortunate to still be able to look and feel good for my age. Fitness IS a way of life and I'm gonna keep hitting it as long as I can.

[A-Jay]

A Jay you are the man! My friend and I used to hit it pretty hard back in the day. Now in our late 50's, we're on the maintenance plan. My wife is 7 years younger than me so I gotta be able to hang. LOL

We hit the gym 7:30, 4 days a week with a 4 mile walk thrown in on Wednesday morning to break things up. But we stopped lifting heavy about 5 years ago. Lighter weights now, repping out 20-25, 4 sets, different body parts daily. Our work day usually starts at 10am til 3 or 4. Being retired city workers allows us some leeway these days. But carpentry work on top of a good morning work out makes for an active day. I do feel fortunate to still be able to look and feel good for my age. Fitness IS a way of life and I'm gonna keep hitting it as long as I can.

 

Stick with it ~

 

My wife is 14 years my junior so I've got nowhere to hide either. . . .

 

A-Jay

[Jtrout]

That's awesome! In high school I was dead lifting 450 with a trap bar and I only weighed 150 pounds lol

[shootermcbob]

Wait a minute!!!!

 

you are deadlifting 500 lbs for reps...AND 

 

your wife is 14 years younger than you??? 

 

HERO!!!!!!

 

[senile1]

Not to diminish your accomplishment, but a true deadlift begins with the bar on the floor, right?  Getting your lower back to survive those first few inches off the floor is the most difficult part.  Having said that, I can't do what you are doing and I am 54.  Up until around age 45 I could still max 315 on bench, 415 on squats, and 415 on the deadlift from the floor.  I had to stop though.  I am very small boned and my joints really started hurting with age.  It occurred to me my joints might be so bad in my 70s and 80s that I couldn't fish so I backed off.  I still lift but I keep my bench in the low to mid 200s with reps, and I don't squat or deadlift anymore because of very bad knees.  I hit the lower back with bent over rows at 135 and do leg presses instead of squats.

[A-Jay]

Not to diminish your accomplishment, but a true deadlift begins with the bar on the floor, right?  Getting your lower back to survive those first few inches off the floor is the most difficult part.  Having said that, I can't do what you are doing and I am 54.  Up until around age 45 I could still max 315 on bench, 415 on squats, and 415 on the deadlift from the floor.  I had to stop though.  I am very small boned and my joints really started hurting with age.  It occurred to me my joints might be so bad in my 70s and 80s that I couldn't fish so I backed off.  I still lift but I keep my bench in the low to mid 200s with reps, and I don't squat or deadlift anymore because of very bad knees.  I hit the lower back with bent over rows at 135 and do leg presses instead of squats.

 

Deadlifts off the floor are more of a younger man's lift.  Did them for years and one reason I can still even train today is I stopped doing them.  The exercise I'm performing here is more of a partial deadlift.  The very bottom of the pull is eliminated and the middle and top of the lift is done.   I've blown up my back more times than I can count doing full deads, Squats and heavy rows.  I still do them all but have had to modify my approach to match my needs.    The equipment I'm using has limits which I don't exceed and in this case I'm at it. 

I rarely perform single or max effort lifts anymore as these have often caused injury for me.  Instead I prefer to use moderate tonnage for smooth reps, working with the weight rather than fighting it.   

 

Whatever benefits realized from all this one thing is certain, moving the two group 31 batteries from the truck to the boat sure is easier when I'm training.

 

A-Jay

[K_Mac]

A_Jay I am only a few years into a fit lifestyle, so the "tonnage" you're moving is not going to happen. At 59 I don't really care either what my max is in any movement. The young guys can push the envelope. For us with a bit more milage, good form and more reps greatly reduces injuries and gets the job done.

Keep up the great work. You are an inspiration to many of us. Well done!

[senile1]

Smart move, A-Jay.  I've definitely hurt myself a few times.  Remember back in the day how Muscle & Fitness and the other mags would state that weight lifting could help to strengthen connective tissue.  Those statements were a bit misleading as it all depends on what type of lifting your are doing.  I still do some free weights but I don't do any lift that has the potential to hurt me anymore.  

 

As for maxing out, I haven't done that in years.  Those days are behind me.  And even when I did, it was only a couple of times a year.  But to reach maximum weights, one has to do some sets with medium rep numbers (5 - 8 per set) at 75 - 80 percent of max.  I always did an altered pyramid by working up to the 75 - 80 percent mark and then I would do three sets at that weight.  That is a lot of joint stress and something I just won't do at this age. 

[Cgrinder]

I think that would be more of a rack pull, but since you're the one repping over 500 lbs we'll call it whatever you like!

 

Piggybacking with a recent somewhat inspiring fitness story: I started doing Stronglifts 5x5 in mid-August (look it up if you're curious about the barbell movements, as it's a great beginner program). Squatting around 170 for reps right now. Not a lot, but good start. I also have serious femoral vein damage in my left leg from a series of very many blood clots. Previously in pain, all the time, no matter what with limited mobility. Also tweaking my right knee constantly from favoring the other leg. After starting to squat "heavy" for a few weeks now? No pain. Zero. Zilch. Mobility's back. Fishing is awesome when you're not limping.

 

A-Jay's right. Give weightlifting a try.

 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor (of medicine, anyway). Please seek medical advice before starting any serious exercise program. Don't blow out your knees, hips, or other body parts because some guy on the internet (me!) claims that squatting will cure what ails ya.

[The Patriot]

I think that would be more of a rack pull, but since you're the one repping over 500 lbs we'll call it whatever you like!

 

Piggybacking with a recent somewhat inspiring fitness story: I started doing Stronglifts 5x5 in mid-August (look it up if you're curious about the barbell movements, as it's a great beginner program). Squatting around 170 for reps right now. Not a lot, but good start. I also have serious femoral vein damage in my left leg from a series of very many blood clots. Previously in pain, all the time, no matter what with limited mobility. Also tweaking my right knee constantly from favoring the other leg. After starting to squat "heavy" for a few weeks now? No pain. Zero. Zilch. Mobility's back. Fishing is awesome when you're not limping.

 

A-Jay's right. Give weightlifting a try.

 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor (of medicine, anyway). Please seek medical advice before starting any serious exercise program. Don't blow out your knees, hips, or other body parts because some guy on the internet (me!) claims that squatting will cure what ails ya.

 

 

I did that 5x5 a couple years ago.  Awsome routine to follow.  Definitely got the numbers up there.  Another one that is good for strength is Smolov or Smolov Jr.  Similar in the sense that you're always squatting.  A movement that is key to building and strengthening the rest of your body.  If you hit a plateau in your workouts and youre not going squats, do squats.  If your squatting already, do more squats.  After my motorcycle accident I do less heavy squatting, but more frequency.  I save the heavy stuff for box squats.  

 

ATG!

[A-Jay]

I did that 5x5 a couple years ago.  Awsome routine to follow.  Definitely got the numbers up there.  Another one that is good for strength is Smolov or Smolov Jr.  Similar in the sense that you're always squatting.  A movement that is key to building and strengthening the rest of your body.  If you hit a plateau in your workouts and youre not going squats, do squats.  If your squatting already, do more squats.  After my motorcycle accident I do less heavy squatting, but more frequency.  I save the heavy stuff for box squats.  

 

ATG!

 

Funny you should mention the 5X5 regiment ~ I'm a big fan of that one. 

 

I've used that off & on for several years and it's been a very effective way to bump up my strength.

 

Actually using it now for squats ~ here's a set with 3 bills from the other day.

 

btw - I have the best Spotter Ever.

 

A-Jay

 

 

 

​

[FishTank]

Love to fish and workout.  I took 3 years away from working out and I am just getting back into it.   It's been tough though.  I am struggling with what use to be warm up weight.  I pray that muscle memory will save me.  

 

I have done the 5x5 method but my personal favorite is the 5% method.   Worked great when I was into powerlifting. 

[lo n slo]

Stick with it ~

 

My wife is 14 years my junior so I've got nowhere to hide either. . . .

 

A-Jay

.....and they call ME a craddle robber. I hear you brother!