Thursday, April 30, 2026
Don't Train Like a Bodybuilder (Unless That's What You Want)
Bodybuilding is a specific sport with specialized goals that rarely align with the need of the average person like you and me. Most of us simply want to be "fit" -- lean and strong. This isn't achieved by packing on excessive muscle mass but by having enough size in key areas while being lean enough to reveal muscle definition. You don't need to train every day. Three 1-hour sessions per week are sufficient provided you focus on mind-muscle connection and creating a significant stimulus to your muscles. The key is eating enough to fuel your training while keeping calories controlled to reveal the muscle underneath. Instead of chasing down extreme strength benchmarks (like a 250 pound bench press), focus on your strength-weight ratio. At 73, I've found that this approach builds an aesthetic, athletic body while allowing you to stay mobile, injury-free, and capable of performing other activities like mountaineering or surfing.
