In this article, I would like to discuss Weight Training for the Over-Sixties.

When I was training for the Mr Universe, I weighed eighteen stone (252 pounds) and I was obviously lifting heavy weights. However, as I am now older than sixty years of age, things are very different. My workouts can no longer involve lifting heavy weights. In fact, I’d suggest that this applies to anyone aged over fifty. If I attempted to lift some of the weights that I was lifting thirty years ago, I would likely injure myself badly. Without a doubt, wear and tear would ensure that I suffered from joint pain, inflammation and torn tendons.

These days, I still train regularly, but my routine is a lot more toned down and I move at a much more laid back pace. I no longer do 400 pound bench presses for 6-8 reps. But I will do 200 pound bench presses for 12-15 reps. I also do a lot of super-sets, where I will exercise between two machines, without resting. In fact, I occasionally perform tri-sets, where I will operate between three machines, without a rest in between.

I do a lot of drop-sets, where I will start an exercise with a certain weight and I’ll drop down to a lighter weight as I exercise non-stop to failure – I still love a good ‘burn’! That’s another thing. I very rarely use old-school free weights, when there are plenty of good machines to make the job more easy for me.

It would be fair to say that despite me going lighter on the weights these days, the intensity of my post-sixty workouts is very high. I should also mention here that the first thirty minutes of every workout includes thirty minutes of walking fast on a treadmill. It’s all about health and fitness now.

Finally, I highly recommend that if you are planning to start bodybuilding at the age of 60-plus, you should speak to your doctor first and at the very least, get a health check-up.