Which activities in life brings you the most fun?

[cubsfan]

@73 Reds Glad it helps. This is a good spot for young and old. The old guys, me, Deal, James

have had good success. The young guys have posted great stuff and workout routines. Something for everyone. Keep the body strong & fit - everything else follows for the boost in energy.

 

Keep the ideas coming.

[73 Reds]

13 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

@73 Reds Glad it helps. This is a good spot for young and old. The old guys, me, Deal, James

have had good success. The young guys have posted great stuff and workout routines. Something for everyone. Keep the body strong & fit - everything else follows for the boost in energy.

 

Keep the ideas coming.

Well, my best advice is keep moving.  Even if you don't engage in a regular exercise routine, almost everything presents a way to stay fit.  Take the stairs rather than an elevator.  Don't look for the optimal parking space; rather park in the perimeter (and save your car from dings and dents too).  Walk to lunch, the post office or any errand within walking distance if you have the time.  If you're sitting at home, in an office or cubicle and aren't dressed up, do some pus-ups, sits ups or calisthenics at your desk.  And forget about what anyone else thinks.  

Edited February 6, 2025 by 73 Reds
spelling

[LC]

When you get really old- walk! My grandfather lived to 94 with half a neck (removed in his 60s due to esophageal cancer from smoking), had a brick wall fall on him breaking half is body (he worked construction his entire life in the bronx after emigrating from Italy - after surviving a fascist POW camp in WW2 eating rats). Our family has been landowning farmers in southern italy for more generations than i can count- so after "retiring" from construction he spent all day maintaining the modest flower/veg gardens at his house and my fathers, 3 miles away. 6 miles walking every day, then 3-4 hours per house gardening. The guy was one coiled spring of sinew, essentially. Eventually his body gave out, went to hospital, died 3 days later. Aside from those 3 days he walked and worked every day. 

[Buckeye]

I enjoy spending time restoring vintage vehicles.  This is a 1955 Vespa Allstate that I just finally finished.  I had a guy rebuild the motor and another guy do the paint as those two things are above my pay grade (at this time).  I think it’s really cool that this thing was made in Italy, 70 years ago. It’s looks like a sculpture to me.  The Vespa body is a monocoque, where the body is the structure. The original Vespa was designed by Corradino  D’Ascanio, who also designed the first production helicopter. You can see the front wheel/fender looks like a landing gear on a helicopter.  There’s no front fork. The tale is that all of these 1950’s Vespas were painted in tans and greens with the leftover paint from the war.

Edited March 24, 2025 by Buckeye

[LC]

That is very freaking cool. Congrats on the restoration, it looks great!

[gfp]

That's awesome @Buckeye - I have owned a 1964 Allstate 125 since around 1999.  The original Sears brand that launched Allstate insurance.  It looks similar to yours (but mine is in all rusty and messed up) but the handlebars are slightly more modern.  Same bicycle seat but I have a pillion passenger "seat" on top of the parcel rack.  

[Buckeye]

Thanks so much guys! You’re correct GFP, our versions of the Allstate were sold exclusively through Sears. Sounds like we have cousins from the old Country! Can you imagine picking that thing out of the catalog? I like the little bit of history that you can sense from these old artifacts. I picture some cig smoking, slicked back hair Italian kid, putting that thing together on the assembly line. What a wild time it must have been to be alive in the 40’s and 50’s. 

Ruth Orkin’s “American Girl in Italy,” 1951. That’s actually a Lambretta D in the photo. 

 

Edited March 25, 2025 by Buckeye

[cubsfan]

Thought I'd post 2 well done progression videos on strength training - particularly for 40 years & above.  Phil is a great coach and I can vouch for his results.  

 

While you are all getting rich - don't forget your body and mind - humans, even old ones, are capable of amazing results:

 

 

 

 

[Ross812]

I just pulled 405# on my DL this evening. Trying to hit my goal of 1000# on DL, squat, and bench by September when I turn 40. Im at 925# now. 75# to go.  

[Lazarus]

4 plates is damn impressive. Well done.

[Fly]

9 hours ago, Ross812 said:

I just pulled 405# on my DL this evening. Trying to hit my goal of 1000# on DL, squat, and bench by September when I turn 40. Im at 925# now. 75# to go.  

 

Amazing job

[Cod Liver Oil]

@Ross812 please post pics!!!! 
I’m struggling with 325 at 165 lbs (string bean). 

[cubsfan]

11 hours ago, Ross812 said:

I just pulled 405# on my DL this evening. Trying to hit my goal of 1000# on DL, squat, and bench by September when I turn 40. Im at 925# now. 75# to go.  

 

Wow - congratulations Ross, that's fantastic!

 

Keep training hard. I bet you don't have any back problems!

[cubsfan]

1 hour ago, Cod Liver Oil said:

@Ross812 please post pics!!!! 
I’m struggling with 325 at 165 lbs (string bean). 

 

If you are pulling 2X your body weight - you are damn strong. Congratulations @Cod Liver Oil

[cubsfan]

@Cod Liver Oil @Ross812

 

You guys likely know this lift well - Deadlift

 

But for others - it's the EASIEST major lift to master.

And a great one for old people to develop massive strength.

 

The DL is 90% correct set up. If you get the setup right - your DL will go up for years.

 

Biggest errors - 1) everyone starts too far away from the bar, everyone, since it feels unnatural.

2) everyone tries to "squat" the DL, which feels natural, but is incorrect for max strength.

 

Just my opinion.  Good luck guys.

 

 

[Gregmal]

Humbly, I’m pretty good at curling 12 oz Bud Lights 

[cubsfan]

2 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

Humbly, I’m pretty good at curling 12 oz Bud Lights 

 

Haha, used to be my specialty. I leave it for the young guys now!

[Cod Liver Oil]

I enjoy deadlifting and buying Nintendo simultaneously as I am doing rn.

A new discovery which I enjoy: playing Richard Feynman lectures in the car on the way to school with my 7 and 10 year old boys. The ride is so boring they actually listen and ask questions.

 

Edited January 29 by Cod Liver Oil

[73 Reds]

1 hour ago, cubsfan said:

@Cod Liver Oil @Ross812

 

You guys likely know this lift well - Deadlift

 

But for others - it's the EASIEST major lift to master.

And a great one for old people to develop massive strength.

 

The DL is 90% correct set up. If you get the setup right - your DL will go up for years.

 

Biggest errors - 1) everyone starts too far away from the bar, everyone, since it feels unnatural.

2) everyone tries to "squat" the DL, which feels natural, but is incorrect for max strength.

 

Just my opinion.  Good luck guys.

 

 

@cubsfan I used to deadlift years ago but hurt my lower back and also would tear up my shins.  Lately when working out I use a hex bar when trying to simulate a deadlift.  Not quite the same but easier on the back.

[cubsfan]

18 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

@cubsfan I used to deadlift years ago but hurt my lower back and also would tear up my shins.  Lately when working out I use a hex bar when trying to simulate a deadlift.  Not quite the same but easier on the back.

 

Pretty common. I trained with the hexbar for a long time since I didn't understand the proper deadlift and had the same experience.

 

A rounded back usually cause the back injuries, as I've done it a few times. 

 

My use of the hexbar ended up as "squatting the deadlift" since the hips end up being very low.

 

It's a good exercise none the less, but puts major pressure on the knees.

 

[Lazarus]

7 hours ago, Cod Liver Oil said:

@Ross812 please post pics!!!! 
I’m struggling with 325 at 165 lbs (string bean). 

Look at this humble brag!

[Luke]

Listening to music with my Sennheiser HD 800S or Stax Earspeakers :))

[Ross812]

7 hours ago, Cod Liver Oil said:

@Ross812 please post pics!!!! 
I’m struggling with 325 at 165 lbs (string bean). 

 

I outweigh you by a bit at 195! I decided to get in shape in the fall of 2023 and went from 215 -> 175 and have been lifting hard since April of 2024 and am back up to 195 with a lot more muscle but also plenty of beer.

 

When i started a 245# DL was tough. I did the 5-3-1 workout using a this app: https://fivethreeone.app/. Honestly, I should be stronger on DL by now but I broke ribs on two separate occasions water skiing (I saw that nautique @dealraker!!!) and have lost about 8 months of working on DL.

 

[flesh]

An idea for the weight lifters here. Rock climbing gyms have become mainstream. I've been doing it since 97'. 

Increasingly I see weight lifters in the gym, some meat head types too. They tell me they use it for one of their upper

body days at least once a week/finger strengthening. It works everything well from the knee up but mostly upper body. Give it a try, it has the added bonus of being a lot of fun vs boring rep counting. Go have fun, get a great upper body workout, climbing gyms are very safe and offer all kinds of instruction if you want it. One of my current partners was a full on meat heat 6 foot 230 5% body fat. He's quit lifting and focuses on climbing, he's working hard to lose all his muscle, he's down to 195. However, all you really need is a chalk bag, chalk and shoes. Then go bouldering. You'll thank me later. You'll find your fingers are super weak, the weak link, stick with it and you'll make huge progress your first few years, once a week is enough, twice a week is even optimal if you're older. 

 

I rarely lift but can do a one arm pull up just from climbing. Also can hold a front lever and do a flag pole. 

 

This will give you an idea what bouldering is like. However, this guys an ex pro. What you start out on will appear like a ladder. 

 

 

Edited January 30 by flesh

[cubsfan]

56 minutes ago, Ross812 said:

 

I outweigh you by a bit at 195! I decided to get in shape in the fall of 2023 and went from 215 -> 175 and have been lifting hard since April of 2024 and am back up to 195 with a lot more muscle but also plenty of beer.

 

When i started a 245# DL was tough. I did the 5-3-1 workout using a this app: https://fivethreeone.app/. Honestly, I should be stronger on DL by now but I broke ribs on two separate occasions water skiing (I saw that nautique @dealraker!!!) and have lost about 8 months of working on DL.

 

 

2X your body weight on the deadlift - very impressive. When those ab injuries heal fully you'll pull more. Keep adding 2.5 pounds per week and slowly move up - small increase will do it.