TacticalBarbell.com

5 – Lots of Days Off Are a Luxury You Can't Afford
The conventional thinking is that old bastards need to take more time off sitting at home in an easy chair eating protein-laced porridge until the poor old coots can gather the strength to get up and shuffle-walk to the gym.

It's true in one way, but false in another. Sure, older guys need to focus on recovery more than younger guys, but they often convince themselves to take off more time than necessary. They end up taking off because the mass of sweaty, training humanity says they're supposed to, rather than taking time off because they need to. The incessant recovery drumbeat messes with their heads.
There's one thing that should tell you when to legitimately take a day off, and that's your training log. If it tells you that on Tuesday you failed to exceed, or at the very least, meet the previous workout's numbers, it's time to take a day off.

If not, get thee to the gym, just as you have since time immemorial.

Islay_malt wrote:I’m 58, and I agree with both of you. Although in general capacity for volume decreases while need for recovery increases, as you age, they’re still very much specific to the individual. So hopefully we at least get wiser as we age and we’re more willing to do what we need vs what we did when we were 30.

I also agree with Aiwacht that mobility is critical. It’s the first thing to go as you age, I think even more so than speed or strength. I’m very active, but if I miss even a few days, things you take for granted, like tying your shoes, can be tough. Very important to get moving every day, even if it’s just a little bit.

Barkadion wrote:

Islay_malt wrote:I’m 58, and I agree with both of you. Although in general capacity for volume decreases while need for recovery increases, as you age, they’re still very much specific to the individual. So hopefully we at least get wiser as we age and we’re more willing to do what we need vs what we did when we were 30.

I also agree with Aiwacht that mobility is critical. It’s the first thing to go as you age, I think even more so than speed or strength. I’m very active, but if I miss even a few days, things you take for granted, like tying your shoes, can be tough. Very important to get moving every day, even if it’s just a little bit.

I’d add that keeping injury free consistent training that does help you with everyday life is the most valuable benefit. Progression can have a different meaning when you age..

Barkadion wrote:

Islay_malt wrote:I’m 58, and I agree with both of you. Although in general capacity for volume decreases while need for recovery increases, as you age, they’re still very much specific to the individual. So hopefully we at least get wiser as we age and we’re more willing to do what we need vs what we did when we were 30.

I also agree with Aiwacht that mobility is critical. It’s the first thing to go as you age, I think even more so than speed or strength. I’m very active, but if I miss even a few days, things you take for granted, like tying your shoes, can be tough. Very important to get moving every day, even if it’s just a little bit.

I’d add that keeping injury free consistent training that does help you with everyday life is the most valuable benefit. Progression can have a different meaning when you age..