Long Term Health

[MantiXX]

Anyone wonder what 'powerlifting' or other repeated heavy lifting might do to them over the long term? I was just reading about good ole' Arny and all of his problems....

"Schwarzenegger, who turns 60 in July, has had a hip and a heart valve replaced. He had rotator cuff surgery in 2003. A rapid heartbeat sent him to a hospital last year. One motorcycle crash in 2001 left him with several broken ribs, and another last January resulted in 15 stitches in his lip.

Now he is on crutches while the right thigh bone he broke while skiing with his family over the holidays in Sun Valley, Idaho, heals. Doctors used screws and wires to repair his leg Tuesday, and he is expected to be released from the hospital by week's end"

I know motorcycle and ski accidents are accidents, but hip replacement, heart valve and who knows what else...

Your thoughts?

Thanks...

[sharkall2003]

Yeah, lifting with a good diet actually increases bone density, muscle mass and lowers bodyfat percentage. If I maintain lifting the way I do, eating correctly and not overdoing it I will be healthy. He's 60 years old and some of that may be genetics, some of it may be a freak occurrence, or whatever else.

If in the long run my health is bad that's okay. I'm living my life the way I want to and as healthy as I want to. I'm not going to change it because of one person.

[Sidior]

I do not for a second think powerlifting is better for my body than just staying in shape, working out and keeping my bf% healthy. The only problem is that it's just not as much fun.

[RedSpikeyThing]

I think it's fair to say that any professional athlete goes through a lot of injuries. I don't have any reason to believe that powerlifting/bodybuilding is any different.

[bjohnso]

I have this theory that people who develop quickly and are very muscular at a young age (like 13) tend to age more rapidly than "normal people." I could be way off on that though. Also, when you consider Arnold started taking steroids at the ripe old age of 13 with at least 2 decades of heavy dosing after that, it's not at all surprising that he'd experience severe health problems from it.

[Ritzol]

I would not consider competitive "bodybuilding" a healthy lifestyle.

Do you really think extreme cutting and bulking is healthy? Probably not, especially when you consider the substances many of us put into our body to attain those goals.

I wouldn't consider bodybuilders to be the epitomy of healthy, but again it all depends on to what degree we are talking.

[Max Thunder]

In my opinion powerlifting might be problematic, since the goal is too specific, i.e. 1-RMs in 3 specific movements, to a point that you have to neglect something else to be that good on these 3. If your goal is general strength and size, then with all the knowledge that is available on the Internet and in books, you can aim to develop a very balanced physique.

I suggest finding and reading the series of articles titled "Neanderthal No More" for many tips to improve your posture and mechanics, getting the right muscles to do the right job, etc. and thus prevent mis-use of articulations.

Being seated all the time is much more dangerous than squatting, imho.

[mickyjune26]

I do not for a second think powerlifting is better for my body than just staying in shape, working out and keeping my bf% healthy. The only problem is that it's just not as much fun.

awesome.

[Tofer]

I read that article and there was actually a bit more that was left out from your quote.

Doctors seem to think he's still in great shape for a man of his age. I mean, c'mon he's 60 years old. He does not look 60, and most of those injuries he's been through have been as a result of accidents. Hip replacements are fairly common, and heart problems are the main cause of death in North America, aren't they? Taking into account his steroid use, it's pretty remarkable that he's still healthy at that age.

My conclusion from all this is that, steroids aside, bodybuilding isn't going to have a major impact on your long-term health, and you may even be in better shape than most. And even if my conclusion is wrong, would you rather live a slightly longer life (1-2 years), with an average body, or would you rather spend your life looking like a Greek God? I would think that when you're really old (85+), life can be quite a trial anyways.

[Jorge Sanchez]

If you look at most older guys who lift weights (ie: Arnie, Sly, Chuck) I think they all look much younger than their age. I'd imagine that lifting has a number of health benefits. However, I think heavy lifting will inevitably take a toll on your joints, and continual bulking a cutting phases can't be too healthy either.

In terms of health, bodybuilding/powerlifting are certainly better than being a couch potato. I think if you are concerned primarily with long term health you should focus on a well rounded routine. I would incorporate cardiovascular exercise (everyday), flexibility work (everyday) (dynamic and static), and moderate weightlifting (moderate weight maybe 2-3 times a week in the 10-15 rep range). A little bit of extra muscle will certainly be beneficial, but too much will put extra strain on your body. In terms of diet, eating a balanced diet at maintenance (once you're at a healthy weight) is the best way to go.

[the doc]

weight lifting is an excellent activity for women in their younger years (20s-40s). The increase in bone density will aid in decreasing the fragility of bones in their later years from osteoporosis

[MagnaSephiroth]

I eat mostly organic foods, I keep my heart rate up, and I take plenty of vitamins. I can't see how this is bad.