Pooped-out

[tennisgod]

Today I woke-up to do my AM workout and I knew I was in trouble. Normally Mondays are fine since I've had 3 sleeps since the last workout. But not today... did the warm-ups knowing I shouldn't even bother. And sure enough, the w/o weight felt like a ton. Called it a day.
Since we are geezers (I'm 51), should we try to lift something/anything, or just call it a day?
And do the experienced lifting geezers feel that these types of days happen more the older you get, or do these days happen every-once-and-awhile regardless of age?

Cheers.

[FKYT]

FWIW, I'm 29, and every now and then I'll have a shitty workout (as in, even the warm-up sets feel heavy) even if I think I did everything right in terms of eating and sleeping for recovery. I think it's just something that happens to everyone every now and then.

Some days, even the 45s feel heavy as I load up the bar, and I know I'm in for a rough workout.

[bowdirk]

A few months ago I switched to only lifting on Monday/Thursday with a Hike/Bike/Run/Etc. activity on Saturdays.

I have found that this works much better for me, and I am fully recovered for lifting days which makes them much more fun and productive.

I will be 52 in a few weeks.

-Bowdirk

[Oldster]

If there is anything I've learned in my 3 decades of lifing is that I never go by how I perceive I feel. I've had great feeling days that turned out to be miserable, I've had days I got up and even the empty bar felt heavy but yet went ahead and ended up with new PR's.

That being said, when things are going well, this morning was one for me, I'm more than willing to back off and come back another day. Just because I have a bad Tuesday, doesn't mean the next Tuesday will be bad. Usually I'll come back stronger than ever.

[Oats]

I think it's a consequence of age and growing responsibilities that you'll have more flat days than previosuly. However, the Mike Webster article has a nice comment about keeping going and it'll come good.

I've only been going a few months but if I'm ill\somethings pulled I see it as an opportunity to deload a bit and work on technique or try out things that I can't do when the weight is at my limit e.g. powerclean form, bench press speed, squat grip.

[Bif]

...And sure enough, the w/o weight felt like a ton. Called it a day. Since we are geezers (I'm 51), should we try to lift something/anything, or just call it a day?
It's kind of an individual thing. As Oldster mentioned, you just can't tell by how you "feel". Some of my strongest workouts have come on days where I was not feeling particularly "boner-ific". Consequently I've had crappy workouts on days where everything was clicking physically and I was really engaged mentally. There is NO way to know, so you just go lift and see what happens. This, of course, does not pertain to when you're feeling ill, like sinus infection ill -- whole different ball game.


And do the experienced lifting geezers feel that these types of days happen more the older you get, or do these days happen every-once-and-awhile regardless of age?
Cheers.
Regardless of age. The body just works that way: Not always on, not always off. BTW, I lift 6 days a week (will be 56yo in September), so am very attuned to these daily fluctuations. This morning was one where I felt just so-so, not really good, not really bad, but had a nice strong workout. You just don't know until you do it. If not ill, I would suggest you go workout on your planned days regardless of your subjective feelings; you just may surprise yourself.

[El Viejo]

Since we are geezers (I'm 51), should we try to lift something/anything, or just call it a day?
Cheers.
There are many days (too many really) that I just don't feel like working out. If I give in to the feeling and don't workout I end up feeling guilty, but if I drag my ass to the gym I know I'll do something once I'm there. The funny thing is that these sometimes turn out to be my best workouts.

To answer your question: I think you should do something/anything, rather than nothing. If you give in and don't do anything it becomes easier to skip the next workout and the next thing you know you've taken a month or two off and have to start all over again (DOMS, etc.) At least that has been my experience.

[tennisgod]

Something is going on... for the last 2 weeks I have had dismal training sessions... don't know why as I'm not sick, tired, or anything other than a sore lower back but I've trained thru worse.

Yesterday, I only did 115kg squats 3 reps then 3 reps, whereas 2 weeks ago I was 120kgx3x5.
Wed, I was going for 170kgx1x5 DL, and ended up only managing 1 rep and settled for 160x1x5.
Bench press is down too.

Would you guys take a break, de-load, or knuckle-down?

Maybe it was my 52nd birthday last week that did it...

[Scott Hanson]

How long since you've taken a week off or a light week? What program are you doing? One or two days of feeling "off" or weak is one thing, two weeks means something is amiss. I'd recommend either taking a week off completely (or longer if necessary), or cutting way back on the loads for a week or longer (better option IMO).

[jillingworth]

I have yet to completely skip a workout because of the way I feel. The only time I've skipped is when I just can't get to a gym. If I feel like crap, I'll still put everything I can into the set with the understanding that the bar may end up on the pins and not the hooks when I'm done. When I have a whole series of lousy days, I will alter my gym time and just do something different like a day of just various assistance exercises. While this may not be as physically productive as the big lifts, it still seems to help my mind.

[ChuckBell]

Have had a stomach bug since Friday night. Felt really bad Sat. & Sun. Went to the gym yesterday for my intensity day. Almost vomited after the 4 set of squats, but rested to get in the last set. After the 5th, I was much too sick to go on, so didn't get the rest of the workout in. Still, I'm glad I managed to get the squats finished. Heading back to the gym in a few hours to finish up the workout, though I'm still a little unsettled in my stomach. If possible I always do something, even if it's just BW squats and pushups at home.

[DrDuktayp]

Monday before last I worked out with a horrible headache. One of those that hurts worse with light as well as noise. I still picked up my progression and figured I was going to hurt regardless. However, if I wasn't working out at home I wouldn't have lifted. One of the benefits of a home gym I guess.

Now throwing up or diarrhea no way! Throwing up is it's own ab workout anyway right?

None of want to lose our gains or our momentum and a light workout is better than no workout- when possible.

[ChuckBell]

[QUOTE=

Now throwing up or diarrhea no way! Throwing up is it's own ab workout anyway right? [/QUOTE]

Well I didn't make it back to the gym as planned precisely because of the above!

[ColoWayno]

When you're done throwing up you can try what I'm trying.
I've cut my workouts to 2 days a week and I'm eating like a pig 3 meals before and 2 or 3 meals after a workout (5-6 meals). I mean, multiple large milkshakes along with big steaks and everything you can force down your gullet.
On rest days cut down to 2 regular sized meals with lots of protein and maybe a glass of milk in place of your third meal.
Also down a couple of cups of coffee (or use no-doze) before your workout. It's just 2 days a week and you can take something to help you get to sleep if you workout at night and need it.

I got on the bike after a workout after eating like that and my legs haven't felt that good in a long time. So far the weight is stable but I haven't been doing it very long.

The experiment is being documented in my log.

[Gabe Grinstead]

I have been training my dad, who turned 60. So I am stalking these forums a bit to get some ideas from you guys. Anyway, I did want to comment on the person that said he "disregards how he feels". I think for the most part I'd agree with that. However, I did want to share that I recently had a flu shot (so did my workout buddy) in the AM. It was my schedule to lift heavy and my friend was doing an 80% reset. About 8 hours after our flu shot came the workout... I had what I would consider 'very' light weight on my back and it absolutely killed. It was a pain like my spinal erectors were going to rip right off the bone. I tried to warm up, but each time I racked the weight (squat) just didn't feel right. Meanwhile, my buddy is doing 80% due to a reset and he can barely get the weight up. We both pretty much told each other to stop or something really bad could happen. So we did and we cut our workout short. We met back up on our next scheduled day (3 days later) and were stronger than ever. The flu shot has never really impacted me much in the past, but I guess the point I am making is that I think there is a time when you should listen to your body. No reason to to regret cutting a workout short, for all you know it may have saved you from a serious injury that may have ocurred as a result.

There is feeling good and feeling not so good, but when you feel REALLY bad, just quit for the day and come back later. Better to play it safe rather than sorry.