I am 56, an ex-triathlete and Green Beret, and new to bodybuilding. In 1991, I gave up triathlons after suffering a heart attack in a warm-up race for an Ironman event, and I had a second open-heart surgery in 1993. I stopped training and went from 150 pounds to more than 200 in the ensuing 12 years. With some dietary changes and workouts, I got down to 162 pounds. Finally, I made a heavy investment and put a complete free-weight gym in my basement, got a trainer and started lifting. FLEX, MUSCLE & FITNESS and Arnold Schwarzenegger's Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding became my daily reading material. In the course of 12 months of six-days-per-week workouts, I gained 15 pounds of lean muscle mass, but still struggle to gain the mass and definition I hoped to achieve. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding supp
lements, but I can't get a straight answer.
Is there hope for a 56-year-old to get the size, strength and definition of a 30- or 40-year-old, or have I started too late? I look good and feel great, but small gains promote the desire for more. I find the "Brute Strength" program (March-August 2005 issues) extremely valuable. Lifting heavy for size is all relative to the strength one has, and gaining strength is why following the Brute Strength workouts and the right supplement and diet plan are so important to us older guys. There are many of us who want to be the best we can be, who work out hard and want to get the looks the young guys get when we are on vacation at a beach with our young wives (my wife works out five days a week in the free-weight basement, too).
CHARLES WILSON

CITY WITHHELD

Most of the same bodybuilding principles apply to everyone, regardless of age. However, you might find "The Over-35 Club" in the January 2005 issue useful. In addition, see our "A to Z of Supplements" guide in the August issue--each supplement is rated and explained.