Old and weak

I'm 58 years old, 178cm tall (5'10"), weigh 67kg and have decided I need to get stronger. I do a lot of regular exercise, mainly cycling, which accounts for my low body weight but I've never really trained for anything. I started CrossFit last autumn, got injured with Achilles tendinitis and had to take a break since January. I just discovered SS through the UK Guardian article, read the book and started training. I really hope to make progress but after a lifetime of not being strong, which must reflect my genetic constitution, find it hard to believe it will work well for the likes of me - although I hope it does.

These are my starting stats.
Squat 35kg
Press 25kg
Deadlift 60kg

Wish me luck

Welcome. I did not start until I was 66. It is good to start at your relatively young age. If you live in or near London check out the certified SS coach who lives there. If not check out online coaching. It can save an injury. Keep at it and you will gain strength. And eat.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll soon have to change the name of your log!

Cheers guys. Looking at the stats about online training it seems I might get a 40-50% increase in my numbers over the next 3-4 months, if I follow the program

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Originally Posted by Mike Carlton

Cheers guys. Looking at the stats about online training it seems I might get a 40-50% increase in my numbers over the next 3-4 months, if I follow the program

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And avoid most injuries.

By the end of April, after 5 weeks SS training (and a week off for a family holiday) my numbers have changed significantly.
Starting stats. Current stats
Squat 35kg 66kg
Press 25kg 35kg
Deadlift 60kg 112kg

My bodyweight is up from 66 kg to over 69 kg as I've given up on just eating plants, aiming for 3000kCal per day with extra protein and milk.

I'd like to see more weight on my press but guess that will come with gains in my overall strength, body weight and technique. I've added the bench press and power cleans to my program, which is now 2 SS sessions weekly, a couple of CrossFit workouts for fun and a weekly ride with my cycle club.
I'm so glad to have found SS and look forward to posting better numbers over the summer.

Mike

Nice progress! Try not to get too caught up where your numbers are vs where you think they should be. Keep showing up at the gym, eating and recovering. This is as much a reminder for myself as advice for you.

Hell of an increase on your Deadlift there! Good work. You ever find crossfit interferes with your strength work?

Interesting that you came from the Guardian article also! I saw that and wondered if anyone would find SS through it.

Really pleased with deadlift but maybe started light and now it's feeling heavy. My legs are strong from regular cycling but my arms are weak for the same reason.

I'm only doing 2 SS sessions weekly as I enjoy Crossfit and try to fit in 2 workouts per week. It's also where I access the barbell. I spend a day on the bike with my cycling buddies which leaves a couple of days for rest and recovery. I could do another SS session if I dropped one of the others but I enjoy my mixed training, I'm never going to be a competitive lifter and it seems a reasonable balance

Nice work, Mike! I'm a year older and just a few weeks ahead of you on my strength adventure.