How Long Can I ride this Train

[crookedfinger]

Coach,
I just turned 40 and this milestone has caused me to question some things. As such, I am curious about your opinion on something.

Male, 5’11” 219 lbs. Deadlift at 480, squat at 370.

My current goal is to deadlift 500x5 and squat 405x5. I am sure once I hit these, my goals will move up.

I have been lifting for about 3 years. The first year and a half, I dropped 80 pounds and wasn’t very intelligent (I was doing the main lifts, just not programming them well). The last year and a half, I have been much more intelligent. I gained back 40 pounds and have focused on getting strong.

I am a husband, father, and Special Ed teacher. I train 3 days a week. I am not interested in competing, and I don't do any type of recreational stuff. I chop fire wood, mow my lawn, work on my house. I am a pretty boring guy. That said, assuming I keep going and don’t anything too stupid (avoid more cancer, avoid major injury, attempt to get abzzz) , how long can I ride this train and keep getting stronger?

I don’t feel weak, I don’t feel like I have hit my limits and I feel like a 600-700 pound deadlift and a 500-600 pound squat is feasible with time (much). Am I naïve? Can this even be answered?
Thanks…

[Mark Rippetoe]

You can go on up in strength, but probably not at that bodyweight. I'll bet your peak strength occurs at about 48, with 10 years of training, barring injury.

[Keith]

Mark, for the OP to reach his peak strength he would need to be around 240lbs?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Yes, 240-255.

[crookedfinger]

Yes, 240-255.

That was my next question. Just curious (and to give me a goal), what body fat percentage would you like to see at this weight?

Happy Thanksgiving from Austin!

[Mark Rippetoe]

Less than 20%.

[Dkrad1935]

How did you determine his peak strength weight? Is this an approximation I couold apply to myself?

[Mark Rippetoe]

An educated guess.