Are squats and deadlifts bad exercise choices once you’ve turned 50, and would it be better to replace them with similar but easier lifts?
In today’s mailbag episode, we discuss whether your exercise selection really needs to change as you get older, and what actually matters when choosing exercises for long-term strength and muscle growth.
We also talk about why some muscles seem almost impossible to grow, whether powerbuilding is a waste of time if you only care about muscle growth, how to deal with crippling hamstring DOMS, training around shoulder pain, and how much extra volume can compensate for training too far from failure. Plus, Daniel reveals whether that elusive 300 kg deadlift is ever going to happen.
Timestamps:
- 04:30 – Program of the week: StrengthLog’s 3-Day Bodybuilding Split
- 09:00 – Listener question 1: Should you ditch squats and deadlifts after 50?
- 14:00 – Listener question 2: Which muscles are the hardest to grow? 20:15 – Listener question 3: Is powerbuilding a waste of time if you want big muscles?
- 23:30 – Listener question 4: How do you deal with insane hamstring DOMS?
- 28:00 – Listener question 5: Has Daniel changed how he trains since joining the army? 32:00 – Listener question 6: Should you lower your bench press weights if your shoulders hurt?
- 35:00 – Listener question 7: When is Daniel deadlifting 300 kg?
- 38:00 – Listener question 8: Can more volume make up for lower training intensity?
- 43:45 – Listener question 9: What are our favorite sports outside of strength training?
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This is episode 125 of the podcast. Check out the five previous episodes below:
- Episode 124: The Muscle Growth Paradox
- Episode 123: 10 Gym Debates We Can’t Settle
- Episode 122: The Science of Injury Prevention
- Episode 121: How Much Weaker Are You When Fasting?
- Episode 120: Strength Training for Running
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