Bodybuilding Tips To Train Your Body After Your 40th Birthday
They say that age is just a number, but when it comes to work outs and staying in shape that age factor is a definite factor in how you will approach your fitness regimen. Some people want to say that they are over 40 and they use their age as an excuse for not maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a regular workout routine.
Age is not a sufficient excuse not to exercise and try to stay fit. When done correctly you can incorporate workouts, weight lifting and healthy diet in such a way that you remain healthy, fit and active for years and it does not matter how old you are when you start.
You may not know it but weight lifting or bodybuilding routines are good for more than simply building muscle mass. These regimens can also help you lose weight, increase bone thickness and give you a lean fit body. If you want to feel better about your body and life in overall, you should know that exercise will get you there.
A funny thing happens in the brain when you exercise; there is a release of endorphins to the rest of the body that aid you by giving you a sense of happiness.
Let’s start with some basics, being over 40 means that you do need to make a few concessions in your workout routine, but it does not mean that you have to be a victim of false notions about aging.
When we age muscles and joints are not as flexible as they were when you were 20 so you will need to pay special attention to proper stretching and warm up exercises. Take 15 minutes and devote it to stretching muscles and joints. This will give you better flexibility and decrease your risk of injury to muscles and joints. The better you do this 15-minute routine the more conditioned your muscles will get.
Next in line is a 15-minute cardiovascular workout. You can do this on an elliptical machine, stair stepper, treadmill or stationary bike. Do not approach this as a marathon, however you should get your heart rate sped up a bit and continue to build on the limbering you have just finished. This point of your routine is to get the blood flowing and put your body on notice that you are serious about getting some work done.
Lightweights should be your next step. When you are using free weight training or circuit training, go through your complete routine without the use of heavy weights. You can then follow up with appropriate weights and repetitions.
Many bodybuilders favor the pyramid system, which means you do more reps with less weight, and as you add weights, you will begin to decrease the number of reps that you do. This method of weightlifting has great success for those who want to add muscle and bulk to their bodies.
One of the most important things to remember is to keep proper form with every move. It is better to cut back on the repetitions or weights than to have poor form. Keep the position of your body foremost in your mind. Proper form not only gives you the best results but also reduces the risk of injury.
Your session with weights should be kept to about 30-45 minutes and you will want to repeat your training at least four days every week. Once you have completed your weight training it is helpful to run another cardiovascular routine partly as a way to wind it all down but more so to strengthen your heart and lungs.