Am I too old to bulk?

[dtg]

I've been on this site now for a little over two years and it's fantastic all the things I learned.

I'm now 35 and I have been "cutting" for the last year and I did make progress at some point... was down to 9%bf but now I'm back to around 14% because I've been off for about a month and of course I have relaxed alot on my diet.

I am now starting to get back into it, but I realize I lost quite a bit of muscle so there is not much to cut! Also, given we're going into winter, I'm thinking of going on a bulk and really getting big... maybe putting on 10-15lbs in the next four to five months before starting my serious cut for the summer.

i'm currently 170lbs with about 14%bf and I'm 35. I'm wondering if I'm too old to bulk ... meaning it would be very difficult for me to lose the fat when it's time to cut. I'm 5'8" and I'm probably a mesomorph... At 14%bf i can still see my upper abs (maybe 3 or 4 of them).

thanks for your help.

[Venom]

35 is not old. Your not too old to do anything you want.

[dtg]

Originally Posted by Venom

35 is not old. Your not too old to do anything you want.

Thanks for the encouragement. I was really trying to ask this from a scientific point of view... specifically regarding metabolism and how realistic it would be to trim the fat after a few months of bulking... I'd be pushing 36 by then and it's hard enough for me to trim the fat as it is. But thanks for the positive feedback.

[rogjodoin]

I'm no scientist, but I would say the older one gets the harder it is to gain muscle due to less hormone production. I would not say that it is harder to raise metabolizm and burn fat. Diet and hiit at any age will raise metabolizm and therefore burn fat.

[Venom]

I can't recall the last time I spake from a non-scientific view. My comments stand.

[Venom]

Let me elaborate a bit for you:

1. While endogenous anabolic hormones like test are starting to decline at your age, they are still very close to peak levels.
2. Most of the side effects you see from aging - decreased muscle mass, protein synthesis, insulin sensitivity, etc. - can be completely overcome with proper diet and training which you already do.
3. From an aesthetic perspective, most bodybuilders suggest they hit their peak at your age. Case in point, many Mr. Olympias were in their 30s (i.e. Ronny). One reason being that you store less fat subcutaneous the older you get; and also from years of training and developing muscle. Yes, they are juiced, but natural athletes I have spoken to suggest the same.

At this stage of your life, there is absolutely no reason you should limit yourself. The only limitation you have would be mental. If you want to get huge, go for it. You'll be able to get shredded after, if you have the guts to do so.

[Commander]

Originally Posted by Venom

Let me elaborate a bit for you:

1. While endogenous anabolic hormones like test are starting to decline at your age, they are still very close to peak levels.
2. Most of the side effects you see from aging - decreased muscle mass, protein synthesis, insulin sensitivity, etc. - can be completely overcome with proper diet and training which you already do.
3. From an aesthetic perspective, most bodybuilders suggest they hit their peak at your age. Case in point, many Mr. Olympias were in their 30s (i.e. Ronny). One reason being that you store less fat subcutaneous the older you get; and also from years of training and developing muscle. Yes, they are juiced, but natural athletes I have spoken to suggest the same.

At this stage of your life, there is absolutely no reason you should limit yourself. The only limitation you have would be mental. If you want to get huge, go for it. You'll be able to get shredded after, if you have the guts to do so.

Great post, scientific (as always ) and inspirational. I love ABC.

dtg, here is a great picture of a natural who is around 50 years old.

Dave Goodin

[dtg]

Thanks Venom... your feedback is always helpful... A+++ in my book!

Commander, thanks for the encouragement!

Looks like I'm going to be bulking for the rest of '09....

Now, I have one more question and maybe I should post it in the hardcore training forum but you guys will see it anyway so here it is...

For bulking, I was thinking of one of two options:

A) Follow the 24 Workout Mass Blitz routine three days a week

OR

B) Do 5 days a week using the specific Animal workouts for each bodypart as follows:

Monday: Chest/Triceps
Tuesday: Biceps
Wednesday: Legs/Abs
Thursday: Shoulders/Traps
Friday: Back
Weekends: OFF with maybe some light cardio

I like Option B because I workout during lunch and it keeps my workouts shorter, but does anyone have objections to this format?

[Venom]

How bout both? If you are bulking for several months, variation is key. You could do a couple of programs in that time span for variation. Maybe build up to harder programs each month. Something like this:

October: 24 workout mass blitz
November: Animals routines
Taper for a week
December: Cliff hanger or 4th horseman - both are fantastic routines. Really great stuff.

[dtg]

Originally Posted by Venom

How bout both? If you are bulking for several months, variation is key. You could do a couple of programs in that time span for variation. Maybe build up to harder programs each month. Something like this:

October: 24 workout mass blitz
November: Animals routines
Taper for a week
December: Cliff hanger or 4th horseman - both are fantastic routines. Really great stuff.

Thanks Venom... that looks like a great plan. In fact, given today is October 1st, I started with Animal's Shoulder blitz... it was kick-a$$! I'm gonna be one sore puppy tomorrow.

If I want to limit fat, is it ok if I do a bit of HIIT following my weight workout? For instance, today I could not lift my arms after my workout but I had enough legs to get on the elliptical and do 4 minutes of Tabata. I got back to the office, drank my PWO shake and now I barely have enough in me to type this... can't even get up to take a shower!