Over 40 concerns

**MikeNXG** · 08-29-2014, 06:06 AM

i was just wondering if there were any extra concerns about starting a cycle in your 40s or if most side effects are just common no matter the age. Thanks.

**Times Roman** · 08-29-2014, 08:07 AM

there are extra precautions you must consider

connective tissue gets weaker as we age. So that means yet even more time in the gym precycle. A few years minimum. Tendons and ligaments strengthen slowly.

Everything I mentioned is manageable. But your weapon of choice is knowledge.
Wait until your BF% is around 15%
Make sure you have a solid 4 or 5 years in the gym before considering a bona fide cycle.
Make sure you have a solid muscular base
Make sure your diet is in check.
Make sure you have your blood panels taken prior, so you have a baseline to compare to down the road.

Men cycle well into their 60's. But moderation is the key

Good luck!
---Roman

**maddad** · 08-29-2014, 10:45 AM

Roman thank you for the info. I am 45 and on my first cruise.

**Jmjk13** · 08-29-2014, 10:57 AM

Op, thanks for asking this, I had the same concerns. I guess the bright side is we will never be reminded in our posts to re-read the Young & Steroids link!
Haha!!

**MikeNXG** · 08-29-2014, 07:27 PM

LOL Jmjk13...Age has its benefits. Roman, thanks for the info, this is something that I have been thinking about for the last 4 years (since I started going to the gym). I have been focused on my form, stuck to learning the basic compound lifts (and practicing them frequently) and trying to be progressive with my weight...but it seems I've hit a plateau, that or I'm just not dedicated enough. In any case I've decided to start fresh and see what happens...diet, training and rest are the main focus for me. But I'll be making a trip to the Gp soon to get my blood work done just in case, and I want to be sure I am FULLY aware of the risks before jumping in head first. Thanks for the response and I hope to learn a lot more here before making any concrete plans.

**RangerDanger830** · 08-29-2014, 08:07 PM

I wish all of the teenagers that get on here were as reasonable and willing to listen as you. If you do want to investigate why you might be hitting a plateau I would check out the diet section and see what adjustments can be made there. The workout section has a ton of workouts as well if you haven't found what works best for you yet.

**GGot FFina?** · 08-29-2014, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by RangerDanger830

I wish all of the teenagers that get on here were as reasonable and willing to listen as you. If you do want to investigate why you might be hitting a plateau I would check out the diet section and see what adjustments can be made there. The workout section has a ton of workouts as well if you haven't found what works best for you yet.

Couldn't agree more.

I too am getting there (37) and could honestly say, i haven't seen a big decline in me reaching my goals. The only difference i can notice at this age as opposed to when i first started lifting, is that i don't have that crazy energy i once had. All i have to do now is push myself a little harder. But i still find myself reaching the same goals i always have, with an extremely strict diet, of course.

I too would recommend you start spending all your time here on the diet section. When i was 26 i almost quit working out, thinking i just had bad genetics and would never achieve my goals of being cut with a six pack. I then found this site and spent all my time reading the diet section so i could try the one thing i never really paid much attention to. Dieting!!

I followed the cutting diet on here to a T, and the rest is history. I now have been doing that diet 3 months prior to the summer, for the last ten years, and been getting ripped to bits every year.

Good luck and i hope you reach your goals..

**Times Roman** · 08-29-2014, 09:21 PM

and when ya get hurt, Uncle Roman's got a little something for that too...............!

**jdc91gt** · 08-30-2014, 05:55 AM

TR is dead on!

**MikeNXG** · 08-31-2014, 06:34 PM

Wow guys, Seriously..I just got inspired! AHAH!! Cant wait to get up and giv er tomorrow!

**lovbyts** · 08-31-2014, 11:57 PM

Inspiration is a good thing. Just dont hurt yourself like a lot of us have doing to much to quick. It takes a long longer for the tendons bot be ready for heavy lifting than the muscles if you have not been doing it consistently for years.

I started on TRT around 45 and screwed up my shoulder at 48, finally had surgery on it at 49. Set backs like that really suck but it's common at our age.

Take it slow. Focus on form. Dont over extend especially the shoulders. They seem to be the 1st to get hurt seriously and we all try to work through the pain. Do a lot of warming up and stretching.

Best of luck.

**MikeNXG** · 09-01-2014, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

Inspiration is a good thing. Just dont hurt yourself like a lot of us have doing to much to quick. It takes a long longer for the tendons bot be ready for heavy lifting than the muscles if you have not been doing it consistently for years.

I started on TRT around 45 and screwed up my shoulder at 48, finally had surgery on it at 49. Set backs like that really suck but it's common at our age.

Take it slow. Focus on form. Dont over extend especially the shoulders. They seem to be the 1st to get hurt seriously and we all try to work through the pain. Do a lot of warming up and stretching.

Best of luck.

Thanks for that, I actually injured my rotator cuff last May and its just to the point now where I can do incline and flat bench again comfortably. I just started an 8 week trainer that I want to complete, and when I finish that Ièll be looking for something new to try, any suggestions

**lovbyts** · 09-01-2014, 05:38 AM

Originally Posted by MikeNXG

Thanks for that, I actually injured my rotator cuff last May and its just to the point now where I can do incline and flat bench again comfortably. I just started an 8 week trainer that I want to complete, and when I finish that Ièll be looking for something new to try, any suggestions

Sounds all to familiar. The first time I hurt mine it took several months to get back to where I could do incline and they it seemed pretty good for a while but then all of the sudden it just started getting worse and worse.

I could still lift but I just knew there was some bad damage inside. My doctor was not so sure even after an MRI with contrast dye and the fact I still was lifting and had decent size. I kept telling him I'm good at ignoring pain but the fact he is the head surgeon for our NFL football team he was not so convinced but he did see enough damage to do the surgery.

After the surgery he was all excited to tell me that I had 3x the amount of damage he originally though and the surgery took 2x longer than he had planned. lol

**MikeNXG** · 09-01-2014, 06:26 AM

UgH! Injury just seems to be part of the progression...or regression i guess is a better word as we get older...training through the pain is a really dumb thing we just cant seem to stop doing. Hopefully I can keep myself safer in the future by being mindful of the weight and not legging my ego get the better of me. Happy and safe lifting!!

**kelkel** · 09-01-2014, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by MikeNXG

But I'll be making a trip to the Gp soon to get my blood work done just in case

In the HRT Forum use the BW listed in the Finding A Doc Sticky. Good luck.

**Ashop** · 09-01-2014, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by MikeNXG

i was just wondering if there were any extra concerns about starting a cycle in your 40s or if most side effects are just common no matter the age. Thanks.

Unfortunately everything changes around that age. Its always a good idea to monitor health.
Watch BP,,Blood Sugars(Diabetes),,and have annual prostate exams.