Strength Training Past 50 - 2nd Edition (Ageless Athlete Series) Paperback – April 13, 2007

I have a Nautilus NS300X machine so I already have enough information on how to perform the exercises. The most useful information I got out of this book was the recommendations for the number of reps and sets required to reach a goal and the recommendations were based on results of real studies. For those just starting out, the recommendations for specific exercises and proper techniques would be very helpful. I have seen or read a number of fitness books but this one has been the most useful to me as a senior who is trying to maintain a good level of fitness in the most efficient way I can. At my age, Arnold's books on pumping iron have lost their relevance.

As someone who is both older and an experienced weightlifter I can tell you that there were many errors in this book. For one thing it did not warn the reader against the leg extensions if he or she has bad knees. They can blow your knees in a heartbeat.It also gave odd weight recommendations. In one area it gave a starting weight of 60lbs. There are few older people who can or should lift 60lb, at least to begin with. But in other areas of the book it used such recommendations as 10lbs, more reasonable but too high for many fragil oldsters.The nutrition area was not current either. But it wasn't bad.Some of the studies it quotes are good and motivational. But you can read those elsewhere. They simply give the many benefits of weightlifting for all people --- especially older people. And that's a good thing.I would recommend a book like Strength Training Anatomy or a book by Dave Draper or Clarence Bass, both oldsters and great bodybuilders. Beyond that, each person should adjust each exercise to his own limitations and health conditions and not follow any set guidelines. If it hurts, don't do it. There are hundreds of wonderful, powerful exercises you can do that won't hurt you. And you'll build all the muscle and lose all the fat you want.And by the way, there is a wonderful ebook called "Lose the Fat Feed the Muscle" that I recommend to all ages. It's written by bodybuilder Tom Venuto and is about the best book on this subject I've read in a long time.Save your money on this book and buy one that will help you. But whatever you do --- DO LIFT WEIGHTS! It will make you a new person at any age.

Pros:A very good intro for boomers who have never done strength training and want to get into it. A lot of other strength training books target an audience who are potential Incredible Hulk wannabees. Excellent recommendations for weight selection, exercise frequency, repetitions, etc. based on scientific studies. Also good training programs targeted for those in the 50+ crowd. But you must keep in mind that the range 50-90 is a very broad range.Cons:The discussion on equipment options is very light. I would say it is inadequate. The worst part of the book is the organization of the exercises. They are grouped by the area of muscle exercised - such as Upper Body. Within this group various exercises for machine, barbell, and dumbell are mixed in together. If you are using only dumbells, then when following the recommended training sequence of exercises, you are flipping all over the book skipping past the irrelevant exercises. And, no, the exercises are not indexed. I think a further organization of exercise by equipment (or at least a table or index) would have been helpful.Overall, though, the book is a big help for someone like me (fifties) just getting into strength training. A couple of more good books covering equipment and a wider range of exercises, and you're all set.

I just bought my second copy of this book because I like it better than any of my other lifting books. the pictures and descriptions of how to train properly are the best I have found. As a 70-year old granny, it is important to not get injured and to try to be as strong as I can be. This book is great-along with my personal trainer of course. I do think a little more time could have been spent on Dead Lifts and how important they to overall strength, including the core muscles. Of course they are risky if you are not very careful, but definitely worth the effort to do properly.

I like this book very much because of the many workout routines it provides. I like to go to a different routine every couple of months; or when the mood strikes me to change. And then, if there's an exercise I don't know how to perform, I can skim through the book to find it. Even though my gym (health club) doesn't have the kind of machines pictured, between the pictures of those machines the book shows and the free weight exercise descriptions I can see how to do a given exercise. I'm 78 years old and so appreciate the rather laid back approach of this book.Bill

This book is not for someone who has no access to machines. A lot of the book is devoted to the use of gym equipment. I was hoping for more instruction when there are no machines..or trainers....a basic book for beginners. This is not that book.

This book, "Strength Training Past 50" gives you a ton of exercise routines with tips s.a. doing exercises which stress opposing muscle groups, how frequent to exercise, how long, how many cycles, etc. The author presents numerous scientific (i.e. large, prospective, 2 arm) studies on training and exercise involving hundreds of patients. It's well worth buying.One reviewer posted that it read like a general workout book- well it does, but I thought that the author tied it in well making these solid principles relevant to old geezers like myself. Five stars all the way...

Informações claras; algo repetitivo, mas didático. Esclarece várias dúvidas práticas sobre rotinas, tempos, ritmo, segurança etc. Atendeu muitas das minhas expectativas.

This practical guide to strength training, is ideal for those who wish to improve their fitness, but who may be put off by traditional bodybuilding techniques, which almost always seem to assume that everyone wants to look like a hunk with bulging muscles. Starting off with some simple excersises for assessing current strength and moving on to equipment selection. The novice is left in no doubt as to which equipment is which or what it's function is. the next section covers a range of excersises, whether using dumbells, barbells, excersise machines, excersise balls, benches or body weight. All the excersises are clearly explained through photographs and text with emphasis on performing excersises correctly, to avoid injury. Chapter 4 explains how to put together and implement a strength training programme. Chapter 5 covers base fitness programmes. Chapter 9, gives some useful advice on eating for strength gains. Chapters 6, 7 and 8 deal with more advanced and sport fitness programmes. I feel that the great appeal of this book, is for the novice who wants to improve their fitness, but knows little of the subject. Certainly the best book that I have seen on this subject, and is a wealth of clearly explained, practical information.

Not a bad book at all. Covers the subject clearly and certainly explains the merits of weight training for the older person. It targets newcomers rather that experienced trainers and in that respect is understandably cautious with safety in mind.

Very US centric. As I am nearing 80 years of age it is much too strenuous for me to contemplate.

An 'oldie' like me needs simple, but progressive, routines with simple kit to do at home. This book places too much emphasis on elaborate gym machines. Whilst dumbell routines are covered, there is no mention of ankle weights or resistance bands[useful if you travel]. eg leg extensions, curls & presses are only shown on expensive machines, yet you can easily do them[my main need] with anklets or bands.I have found another Amazon product much more help;- 'Weights for 50+' by Dr. Karl Knopf. Don't be misled by the title--it covers routines with bodyweight, weights,anklets,bands, plus the humble kitchen chair. 5 Stars + from me!