Although I may need to get out more, I rarely see young, exceptionally strong, natural lifters who routinely train near their maxes. Since potential decreases with advanced age, I was curious how older lifters who are very strong for their age approach training intensity. For example, a male in their 20s might have potentially been able to lift 650, but now that he is in his 60s, his upper limit might only be 400 lbs. I sometimes train with much younger lifters and although we may lift the same amounts in training, I am far closer to my genetic potential than they are. I already know what happens when I try to match volume with them, but what about intensity?


Unlike volume training where I would happy cut out sets if I thought it wouldn't hinder my progress, I am not looking for an excuse to train at reduced intensity as I look forward to low rep maxes.