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Read How To Care For Your Body While Bodybuilding For People Over 40

Now is a great time to turn your chubby or unfit body into an athletic figure. There is no reason to believe that bodybuilding over 40 is less effective than it was 20 years ago. However, there are some precautions you should take to protect your health as you exercise.

After you have researched bodybuilding and fully understand the unique needs for fitness over 40, you should study the success stories of other men and women bodybuilders your age. Find several people whose fitness goals and body styles are similar to yours. Use them as role models to develop your own training schedule and program. Pay special attention to how gradually they began training, including reps, weights, rest, and cycles.

When you first begin bodybuilding over 40 it would be best to choose a longer cycle that gives you plenty of rest. Your body will need more time for renewal and repair because it is not used to or primed for this activity. Ideally you would work out one or two muscle groups on day 1. On days 2 and 3 you would rest. On day 4 you will train another muscle group and then rest for two days. On day 7 you would work out the remaining muscle groups and then rest for two days before beginning again. As you become more advanced, you can decrease your rest periods and shorten your cycles if you prefer.

Do not push yourself in the beginning by adding too much weight. Younger people often start off with too much weight. They cannot really start at a higher weight than you, but their bodies can repair the damage they are causing more quickly. In fact, you should start out at a very low weight. This amount varies, but make sure it is low enough so that you can maintain control at all times and perform the proper movements.

When you begin bodybuilding over 40, start with higher repetitions to compliment your lighter weights. 15 reps are a good starting place. There are some fitness experts who recommend “periodized” style where every other cycle you perform less reps but with slightly higher weights. You will have to determine when you body is able to repair fast enough to try this technique. As you become fit, you will be able to lower the reps and add weight to every cycle.

A good warm up is also critical if you want to prevent injury and get the most benefit from your training. After stretching, many experts recommend a light 5 to 10 minute cardio workout. Afterwards, you should warm up the muscle group you are targeting that day by lifting half the weight for about 10 reps. For example, if your goal is to lift 200 pounds in that training session, you should start by lifting 100 pounds or less.

If you have injured yourself before, you will need to protect yourself. Even if your injury was more than a decade ago, you will have to make sure you do not re-injure yourself. Always ask your doctor before beginning any bodybuilding program, especially if you have been hurt in the past. Your doctor can guide you to certain braces and suggest activities you should avoid.

These simple tips will help you practice safe bodybuilding over 40. If you have additional questions or are worried about hurting yourself, ask a certified trainer. A trainer can show you the best way to train your body. Remember, using caution and asking for help is the best way to prepare for a more intense workout later and will get you safely started on the path to fitness.

Scott Fisher is a regular writer on fitness over forty. Dont forget to visit his website for more tips and articles on weight training over 40.