I’ve been training for a couple of decades and I really enjoy training. I’d lift even if I never got stronger or bigger. It’s just something I do at this point. I like the idea of powerbuilding. I enjoy SBD and I also enjoy getting a pump and trying to put on size. In the context of someone like me who is nearly 40 and has been training hard and mostly intelligently for 20 years it seems unlikely that I’m going to gain more muscle or probably much more strength. I think big PRs are probably a thing of my past. For someone like me, is perpetual powerbuilding a decent long term strategy? I just don’t think specialization one way or another is going to lead to much of a different outcome. Is my thinking flawed? Thoughts?
I suspect you have an idea of what I’m going to say, so I’ll try and be concise.
- I remain optimistic that it is possible to gain significant size and strength given your training history. Is it going to be as substantial as the journey from untrained to now? Unlikely. Still, I wouldn’t resign myself to being washed up just yet.
- I do not think your age is relevant to goal selection or adaptive potential.
- I think programming should evolve over time and do not think it’s likely a singular programming style like powerbuilding is going to be appropriate in perpetuity.
- If we accepted the SBD PR’s are harder to come by and, mentally, you’re jazzed about PRs…why not pick different movements/modes to pursue excellence in? Just a few thoughts here
Thanks for the perspective. All great points to ponder.