Just remember that the gains will stop after a while if you don’t start taking steroids or something. People seem to have difficulty finding a stable workout routine they enjoy without improvements. Otherwise lifting is good but watch for form and don’t ignore nagging injuries.
I can attest to this. In my mid 20s, I used to hit the gym for 2-3 hours M-F (50/50 cardio and weights per day) and then biking for 5-6 hours over the weekend.
The exercise was a great stress relief for me, and I went from 165 lbs to about 215 lbs over 3 years, all lean muscle mass. Felt great. Was biking thousands of miles per year, running about 4:30 mile on the treadmill, and squatting 2x my bodyweight. I had a resting heart rate of around 45 bmp.
Then, I got hit by a car while on my bike (guy ran a stop sign and and clipped my rear wheel and seat stay). Destroyed my bike; the carbon fiber frame was cracked, carbon pedals ruined and my handle bars were messed up. I also racked up $20k in ER bills that his insurance paid. I dont know how much the X-ray, MRI and orthopaedic visits cost (his insurance had accepted responsibility at that point, and I never saw a bill). I didnt break any bones, but strained almost all ligaments in both knees. The accident knocked me off my workout schedule for 2 months while I recovered. Despite my best efforts, I was never able to reestablish my routine. I now weigh less than when I graduated high school at nearly 40. And, to boot, I suffer from arthritis now and exercising is near impossible for me now without great risk of being laid up in bed with a severe pinched nerve.
I do not believe this is true. Perhaps if you are an elite international-level competitor in your 20-30s or something. But otherwise, no. I consistently add several kg to my powerlifts each year for the past 5+ and I’m late middle age. I don’t see any signs of this changing, in fact the more I’ve trained the smarter I’ve gotten about things, so I have fewer injuries etc, so even more effective progress. Buts it’s a hugely tiny incremental grind to get this. Probably impatient people get dismayed and stop. Fortunately it appeals to my personality so I stick with it.
Huh? What part of that is supported by any kind of evidence? You can lift for many years and keep improving consistently if you stick to a good regimen. I also have a great routine that I stick to consistently and enjoy immensely, you're speaking for yourself.
How long have you been lifting? How old are you? How much do you weigh? I have never seen anybody who didn’t plateau. Either you haven’t been doing this for long or you aren’t training hard.
Gains are asymptotic so the returns are diminishing, but most people - i.e., everyone not competing in bodybuilding - will not hit their "natty ceiling" before they hit old age.
Just ride the slow and steady gain train until you actually need medically prescribed TRT.
You're going to have to lift for many years before that happens. I went from 165 lbs to 235 lbs over 4 - 5 years, and ended up having a powerlifting total of 1,405 lbs. I didn't even use supplements, just good old fashion whole foods. I am not at my peak yet (34 years old), the gains will come slower but they will come.
