Hail to the Dinosaurs!
In a recent email I mentioned that strength training
is important at any age -- but that it becomes even
more important for older trainees.
I also noted that training becomes more fun as you
grow older.
I received a ton of emails in response -- all from
older trainees, and all in 100% agreement.
Training, like fine wine, really does get better with
age.
If you watch video of weightlifters in Master's age
contests, you'll see more smiles, more laughter,
and more people having FUN on the lifting platform
than you would ever see in a contest featuring
younger athletes.
And that's true even in National or World Master's
age contests.
I think part of the reason is that older trainees
have gone through that part of their life where
they were training and competing in order to help
establish an identity fior themselves.
They desperately wanted -- no, NEEDED -- to
prove something to themselves and to others.
To prove that they were good -- or the best --
or they were right up there with the best -- or
they were serious about their training -- or they
were part of a small group of extremely hard
working and extremely strong men and women.
This need to prove yourself makes you a driven
individual -- and that can be very, very good for
your training -- but it also makes training a very
serious business. Your life is not necessarily on
the line in every workout, but your identity and
your self-worth is.
That alone is a form of stress, and it's something
you need to work to deal with.
But older trainees have been living on the planet for
enough years to have a very good idea of who and
what they are. They don't need to do it through
their training.
Nor do they need to prove themselves. They've
already done that -- perhaps as long as 20, 30,
40 or even 50 years ago.
Now they train for a different reason.
They train for the sheer joy of training.
That's why I train. And it's undoubtedly the number
one reason why older Dinos keep on training.
And it's the reason why I'll keep on training until they
nail the lid of the coffin shut -- and why all Dinos will
do the very same thing.
And please note -- this does NOT mean that you take
it easy, or you do bunny blasting or you take everything
down a couple of notches. Older trainees can train hard
and heavy. I'm talking about HARD training without
stressing over it. Younger trainees stress. Older trainees
just do -- and enjoy.
Of course, younger trainees can try to relax a bit. It
would actually be good for them. Hard to do, though,
when you're young and driven. But you can try.
As always, thanks for reading and have a great day.
If you train today, HAVE FUN -- and make it a good
one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. Here's the number one book about serious training
for anyone over the age of 35:
http://www.brookskubik.com/grayhair_blackiron.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses are right here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the day: "Whatever your age, enjoy
every second of every workout." -- Brooks Kubik
