The CB1100 Community Forum

Motorcycles are heavy. Riders need to have enough physical strength to handle them. Also, riding places a lot of strain on the arms, shoulders, and upper back.

At 57, I finally decided to get myself into better shape. Usually for me that means dieting. This time, I decided to try weight lifting to improve my fitness for riding and just for life in general.

Thankfully, my son is extremely well-educated in lifting and has started competing at the amateur level. He spent time teaching me how to do some of the lifts and created a program to get me started. For the last month, I've been doing a 1-hour workout three days a week as follows:

Monday - Push Exercises[ul] [li]Barbell Bench Press 4 sets 6 reps (heavy)[/li] [li]Dumbbell Shoulder Press 4 sets 8 reps (heavy)[/li] [li]Dumbbell Bench Press 3 sets 10 reps (intermediate)[/li] [li]Lateral Raises 3 sets 12 reps (light, optional)[/li] [li]Tricep Pushdown 2 sets 12 reps (light, optional)
[/li][/ul]
Tuesday - Pull Exercises[ul] [li]Barbell Row 4 sets 8 reps (heavy)[/li] [li]Dumbbell Row (knee on bench) 4 sets 10 reps (intermediate_[/li] [li]Lat Pulldown (chair) 3 sets 10 reps (intermediate)[/li] [li]Cable Row (chair) 3 sets 8 reps (intermediate)[/li] [li]Bicep Curl 2 sets 8 reps (light, optional)
[/li][/ul]
Friday - Leg Exercises[ul] [li]Squat 4 sets 6 reps (heavy)[/li] [li]Squat - Intermediate 2 sets 10 reps (intermediate)[/li] [li]Deadlift (heavy)[/li] [li]Romanian Deadlift (intermediate)
[/li][/ul]
I'm keeping a log of my progress, and it's amazing! I'm surprising myself by lifting weights that would have scared me the first week that I started. I'm gaining confidence and really starting to enjoy the activity and the results. I can tell my grip strength is improving as well.

I found some really good training videos at [url=https://barbell-logic.com/content/]barbell-logic.com that give you detailed pointers on how to perform various lifts correctly so that you are safe and don't injure yourself. Another good one for a quick review is [url=https://exrx.net/Lists/Directory]ExRx.net.

Ve vant to pump you up, so you von't be a gurly man

Strength fitness is a good goal. Hope you are able to keep it up. Core strength is really important as we age, and can make a big difference during long days in the saddle
Btw is your son in law still riding?

Thanks, ferret. This fellow makes a good case for seniors to do strength training:



[url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwNjgwAS3wBBxcwouQz5J9w/videos?view=0&sort=da&flow=grid]GreySteel

Yeah, my son-in-law is still riding. He took a solo camping trip throughout SE OH this fall.

(11-29-2019, 11:34 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Ve vant to pump you up, so you von't be a gurly man

Strength fitness is a good goal. Hope you are able to keep it up. Core strength is really important as we age, and can make a big difference during long days in the saddle
Btw is your son in law still riding?

Nice job.

They say lifting is the best exercise for men over 50 / cardio health. I've been thinking about joining a gym for just that.

I don't own a snow blower, although there were times I wish I did. Nevertheless, with proper approach and form, I enjoy a healthy snow fall and throwing. I usually get good cadence and torque built-up and shed clothes down to the t-shirt to remain comfortable.

Looks like a potential dumping this Sunday.

Good for you Stichill
I have a complete set of weights and a bench that I used for ages when I was younger.
These days I sort of "play at it" rather than doing a proper routine (I'll be 82 next week ), but it's a great way to get the blood flowing and feeling invigorated.

Stichill vont to look buff to pick up ze hot chicks, ya!

Good stuff. I've been lifting for about 25 years - initially because my brother-in-law would probably have beaten me up if I didn't go to the gym with him. The health benefits are obvious and - i'll confess plainly - looking like a V instead of an A was nice too.

(11-29-2019, 11:28 PM)DAC_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Stichill vont to look buff to pick up ze hot chicks, ya!

Good stuff. I've been lifting for about 25 years - initially because my brother-in-law would probably have beaten me up if I didn't go to the gym with him. The health benefits are obvious and - i'll confess plainly - looking like a V instead of an A was nice too.

Believe it or not I lifted a lot when my wife and I were first married. She liked my 6 packs and pecs. But that was 1/2 century ago. Eventually I quit lifting and the pecs turned into floppy man boobs and the 6 pack turned into a half barrel. These days I mostly resemble an M&M peanut. Look at a picture of Arnold these days without a shirt on. Ewwwwww. In his prime he looked magnificent. But 1/2 century later not so much. If you don't keep up the exercise, the muscles revert to fat.

Truth be told lifting for most is just a phase they go through, get bored with it and then quit. They like the increase in bulk and size and don't really do it for the health issues, they just want to look big and buff. For exercise you should do lots of light reps and lots of aero, and skip the heavy reps... and since you don't go anywhere when lifting but stand in one spot, it eventually gets boring. And it's mostly a solo thing. Groups of guys just don't get around and lift, and when you are all alone, it's easy to quit.

I don't see as many bar bell sets for sale out on yards as I used to. They have been replaced with those walker and bicycle things that sit in the basemen and collect clothes and stuff.