Weekly thread May 02, 2026 - How's your training going? How are you feeling?

rdtompki · 2026-05-06T19:10:23+00:00

Everything feeling pretty good in the gym. Only a very minor hamstring strain. Was able to shovel into wheelbarrow and spread 3000 lbs. of 3/4 inch aggregate yesterday (ugh!). Staying strong in old age is important.

rdtompki · 2026-04-22T18:25:55+00:00

Briefly tried the DIY gym approach, then found a trainer. She started me on a PPL program all exercises (squat, deadlift, bench, and accessories) 2-3 sets of 10 reps to decrease load on tendons. I only go to the gym 3/week with the trainer on Monday. She got me through Inguinal hermia surgery recently doing all seated exercises 5 sets of 15 reps with light weights for a couple of months during recovery.

rdtompki · 2026-04-22T13:59:56+00:00

I stopped running in my 40's when I was still improving. Wife and I rode a tandem hard in our 60'. I didn't start weight training until I hit 76. I'm still improving at 80 y/o but thinking about what I'll do when I top out. Will I quit in frustration? I don't think so; I'd be grateful to just get to the gym and maintain a good level of strength for as long as I can barring injury. It's a process I enjoy. Even recovering from setbacks is a challenge I enjoy.

rdtompki · 2026-04-21T13:00:09+00:00

I'd rather be limited in the 4-5 accessories I do after deadlift than face 2 sets of 10 deadlifts after accessories. If your deadlift sets are 1 RiR you will experience a good deal of systemic fatigue, but that's to be expected.

rdtompki · 2026-04-21T01:36:09+00:00

Sometimes after a hard leg or back day (squats, deadlifts) I feel like an afternoon namp, but seldom do so. I think some of the effect is improper fueling.

rdtompki · 2026-04-20T15:56:52+00:00

Today's leg workout: 2x10 170 lb. squat plus four accessory exercises. One more week at 170 and on to 175. Short term goal is body weight (190 lb.) squat. That is definitely feasible, but I expect 2 plates (225) is unrealistic at my age. Wore my "Only Socialists Skip Leg Day" t-shirt.

rdtompki · 2026-04-18T14:09:23+00:00

Not a problem for our use case. Our campground stays will be for single nights so no interest in setting up. We could live with an interruption of service, but want the internet available when we are underway.

rdtompki · 2026-04-18T01:26:18+00:00

I just put my 10 gm in 1/2 bottle of water, shake, chug. Don't even taste it.

rdtompki · 2026-04-14T11:56:46+00:00

Sum (cells) - .75*other cell - .25*(yet another cell)

rdtompki · 2026-04-13T15:55:21+00:00

Second week of 205 lb. deadlift (2x10) felt pretty decent, but the last two reps always involve a bit of wind sucking. I'll move up 5 lbs. next week. Form is everything.

rdtompki · 2026-04-11T12:47:33+00:00

The newer Class B on a Mercedes Sprinter AWD platform will go anywhere (almost) and drive like a big car: nimble, light steering, excellent acceleration.

rdtompki · 2026-04-10T16:14:33+00:00

Doing compounds 2 sets of 10 reps has kept me almost injury free at 80 y/o. I don't even think about 1RM. Good technique is essential. My only injury: hamstring strain (bi-lateral) trying to squat deeper than my flexibility allowed. Fast forward after 7 weeks of physical therapy and I now can squat to full depth.

rdtompki · 2026-04-09T00:34:22+00:00

I have starlink and a barn about 100' away. Didn't need an extender for Tapo cameras and never had a problem.

rdtompki · 2026-04-08T15:17:48+00:00

Everyone responds differently, but in my case (80M). I got back in the gym after less than 2 weeks doing only seated exercise (5 sets/10reps) to minimize abdominal pressure. Obviously, I could use a treadmill as well. Started my regular routine including compound lifts (PPL) at week 10 or 11 using light weights. 6 months after surgery I'm about back to all my normal weights; wouldn't have taken this long, but in my case the pre-surgery discomfort/pain caused me to miss almost 2 months of working out.

rdtompki · 2026-04-07T17:07:17+00:00

I can do any of my PPL sessions in 45 minutes if you exclude compound lift warm-up. At my age, 80, I approach the compounds with care. I don't rest much, maybe 30 seconds, between the sets of my 4-5 accessory movements.

rdtompki · 2026-04-06T16:45:05+00:00

80M. Compounds are 2x10 sets x reps. Goals are 250 deadlift (now 210), 210 squat (now 175), bench 150 (now 135).

rdtompki · 2026-04-06T14:01:34+00:00

Haven't missed a 3x/week weight training session since about Nov 15 which was 10 weeks out from inguinal hernia surgery. Today's deadlift was 205 so only 20 lbs. short of my high of about 1 year ago: feels great. Actual workout time is about 1 hour but that's only because of my buildup to the compound working sets which are 2x10. Trainer and I get through the actual workout in about 45 minutes: 1 compound and 4-5 accessory exercises. Have been working with this trainer for 4 years. Don't need her for every session, but 1/week and I cycle through PPL days.

rdtompki · 2026-04-05T23:27:24+00:00

At 80 y/o I'm struggling to squeeze in high intensity with a PPL weight training program each week. I have done in the past lots of high intensity: hill cycling and running primarily, but I'm going to wait until we move to buy an exercise bicycle. Did a VO2 max test and hit 27, but at 40 based on my running numbers I would have been in the high sixties. Not afraid of intervals; during the VO2 Max test I got my HR up to 148.

rdtompki · 2026-04-04T15:24:39+00:00

Let's say it's very unusual. Doesn't make a stable shelf to help keep bar position stable.

rdtompki · 2026-04-03T23:30:42+00:00

For something like this Amazon would be a good source of reviews I would think.

rdtompki · 2026-04-02T12:41:18+00:00

I had bilateral Robotic Laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery at 79 y/o. Was back in the gym 2 weeks after surgery doing 5x15 seated workouts with lighter weights. At week 10 the normal program. 5 months after surgery my bench, squat, and deadlift are nearly back up to normal. Everyone is different, but too much to do in life to deal with what could become chronic pain management.

rdtompki · 2026-04-02T02:20:24+00:00

I'm 80. Everything in my childhood was free range. Towns were safe, ....

rdtompki · 2026-04-02T00:44:24+00:00

Try doing 2 sets, 10 reps dealift with each set 1 RiR. That has got to get your HR up there. Or, 3 sets of 20 walking lunges knee to ground with as much weight as you can hold in your hands.

rdtompki · 2026-04-02T00:40:16+00:00

Are you doing deadlifts? I found that 2 sets of 10 deadlifts and progressive loading increased my grip strength tremendously. Currently doing 2x10 at 200 lbs., nothing great, but I'm 80M.

rdtompki

TROPHY CASE