Ok, I should retitle this because why does someone say they feel "old" when they ache? We all know there is no "old" in bodybuilding. Anyway, this offseason I've been finding myself dealing with very achy, firey feeling joints. Especially my hands. Everyday I feel like I've done a butt kicking workout the day before when in fact, I've been a slacker. Do you think the slacking is doing it? Or am I worn out? Would it be best to try and fire up the workouts a little and work through the joint pain or keep being a slacker. When I say slacking, I am working out at an ordinary type of pace such as one would do to stay in shape, not to build like I need to. Any suggestions? I refuse to think I'm getting "old". Thanks, Sue

Sue

When was the last time you took a week off?

If it has been awhile, do so. Then return and do whatever is fun for a few days...then return to a structured training program.

When you feel like you do now, it is time for a break.

This is common, and not just related to aging.

Ray

Getting old? NO WAY?! Do what I've done. I have anniversaries of my 39th.

Aches and pains? I have no idea what you're talking about. Will you explain?

If I'm not hurting, I feel something may be wrong. It's going to depend on the extent of the pain, is it injury or is it just soreness from a previous workout. Joint pain can be the result of excess weight, form and so forth. Cycle workouts. Go from lifting heavy, low reps, to heavy higher reps or light with high reps very little rest between sets (30 sec) or just lift.

When I lift for strength using heavy/low reps, I will take up to 8 min for a 3 rep set. So, simply, change up.

Make it exciting. Here in the desert air, I have rarely broken a sweat, especially on the low rep/heavy workout. I have changed that to the higher intensity, remaining heavy with 8 reps and, "WOAH!!"

Now, weight, sets is all irrelevant. The desired result is to see how much sweat I will have at the end of a workout.

Think about that.
Frank

Thanks guys. I can't really think that this is coming from my workouts because I really have been a lightweight since the spring show. It seems like I am almost back to a beginner level. Tonight really frustrated me as I was doing concentrated curls and almost dropped a very light dumbbell because the joint in my elbow felt like it was going to pop through. But my hands are far the worst. They feel like I have 10 jammed fingers. I am only working out 3-4 days a week and very light. I feel every move and it's not like that nice sore when you had a great workout. It's like you need to oil your joints to get them to move.
But I do agree Frank. I'm also 39 and holding and holding and holding. Sue

Oh...I remember that pain. Your best bet may be to back off the weights for a while, do some posing and isometric work.

OILS! Fish/Flax oil combo. It worked for this one person. He was told he needed to have both knees replaced. He went "heavy" on those two oils. He's now running a few miles per day.

Try it. You'll find out for sure what it is. Injury? Trauma? O.L.D.? LOL

Frank

Frank,
I never would have thought about upping the oils. Fact is, right now I haven't been taking any extra "good" oils. My diet pretty much sucks and has me wondering if I need to back way down on the carbs. Maybe lean toward some sort of food allergy. Have an appt. with the doc on Thurs. just to get an "OPINION". I will try and do some searches on some isometric programs. Sounds like a good way to lighten up but keep working out. Thanks, OLD LADY SUE

Everyone around here just thinks it's because I have ANOTHER birthday coming up.