Top products from r/fitness30plus
We found 54 product mentions on r/fitness30plus. We ranked the 154 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
1. Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition
Sentiment score: 6
Number of reviews: 7
2. The Barbell Prescription: Strength Training for Life After 40
Sentiment score: 8
Number of reviews: 6
3. 5/3/1: The Simplest and Most Effective Training System to Increase Raw Strength
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 3
4. The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 2
New Harbinger Publications
5. NOW Sports Nutrition, ZMA (Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin B-6), Enhanced Absorption, Sports Recovery*, 90 Capsules
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 2
Same trusted quality with a brand new look! Packaging may varySPORTS RECOVERY*/MUSCLE STRENGTH*/ENHANCED ABSORPTION: NOW Sports ZMA is a combination of zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B-6, designed to maximize absorption and to promote recovery from exercise.* (Quality GMP Assured, Kosher contains Gela...
6. Perfect Fitness Pullup Assist Exercise Equipment, Red
Sentiment score: 2
Number of reviews: 2
Get Stronger and maximize your pull-up workoutImprove your Form with adjustable assistance allowing you to focus on techniqueVersatile System attaches to any pull-up bar
7. Rodney Yee's Yoga for Beginners (Packaging May Vary)
Sentiment score: 2
Number of reviews: 2
*Two full-length yoga workouts for beginners*On-screen pose training for perfect form*Secrets to overcoming the most common yoga mistakes*Audio Selection for each program full or pose only instruction
8. The Barbell Prescription: Strength Training for Life After 40
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 2
9. Iron Core Kettlebell
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 2
HOME THEATER ELECTRONICSDVDSN/A
10. Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (Muscle for Life Book 1)
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 2
11. Full Catastrophe Living : How to Cope With Stress, Pain and Illness Using Mindfulness Meditation
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
12. The Doctor's Heart Cure: Beyond the Modern Myths of Diet and Exercise: The Clinically-Proven Plan of Breakthrough Health Secr
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
13. The Permaculture Book of Ferment & Human Nutrition
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Used Book in Good Condition
14. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Power of Habits
15. The Male Brain: A Breakthrough Understanding of How Men and Boys Think
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Harmony
16. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
17. The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding : The Bible of Bodybuilding, Fully Updated and Revised
Sentiment score: 1
Number of reviews: 1
Expert advice on the prevention and treatment of sports-related injuriesArnold's tried and true tips for sculpting, strengthening, and defining each and every muscle to create the ultimate buff physiqueThe most effective methods of strength training to suit our needs, whether you're an amateur athle...
18. Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection
Sentiment score: 0
Number of reviews: 1
Great product!
19. EliteSRS Heavy Beaded Fitness Jump Rope - Outdoor Rated - Comfort Foam Grip (Black/White)
Sentiment score: 2
Number of reviews: 1
MAXIMIZE YOUR WORKOUT: Extra thick beads add weight and wind resistance to maximize your opportunity to burn calories during your workout.DIFFERENT THAN SPEED ROPES: You'll notice a big contrast from lighter speed ropes when you pick up this thick beaded jump rope. Use this rope to develop improved ...
In my opinion: Nutrition is for losing (or gaining) weight and making sure you recover properly.
Cardiovascular training (literally heart and blood-vessel training) is for heart, vascular and lung health so you can run after a bus or take a flight of stairs without feeling like you are going to die. It helps you think more clearly, resist depression, and reduces risks of some of the most deadly diseases (heart attack, stroke, etc.)
Resistance training is for gaining or maintaining lean body mass and strength. This helps you look better naked, keeps your bone mass up, and as you get older, helps you recover more easily from slips and falls. It also is good for your metabolism: it helps with insulin sensitivity and each pound of lean mass burns 2-3x as much energy as a pound of fat, and it takes up less space.
Finally, stretching/mobility training will help you keep your youthful ranges of motion, reduce stiffness and pain, and reduce injury potential.
You need a balance of these four elements to be truly fit.
To answer your specific questions:
Sorry, I started in on this post and it got away from me. Hopefully you find some useful nuggets in here.
TL;DR: You need to have a balance of nutrition, cardio, resistance, and mobility training. You have to have a calorie deficit to lose weight, so focus on foods that fill you up without a ton of calories. There are tons of cardio options that aren't running that will be easier on your joints. Lifestyle change is about changing your habits. Doing food prep really helps make losing weight easier.
I'm 55 years old and I started the beginner routine on /r/bodyweightfitness 15 months ago and I've had slow but noticeable results. I've been biking and running for the last 12 years so I'm in good shape aerobically, but I had no upper body strength.
I started with the beginner routine on BWF, but I went with the easiest possible options - like inclined push-ups on steps, and vertical rows where I was pretty close to standing upright.
For the inclined push-ups I started with my feet on the floor and my hands on the 5th stair step. I slowly worked up to 12 reps per set, and when I could do 3 sets of 12 reps I moved my hands down to the 4th step and did 8 reps per set, gradually increasing my reps to 12. I kept repeating that and now I'm up to 10 reps of regular floor push-ups.
I hung a bar in the basement for pull-ups but I've had less success with those. At the start I could do only 1 rep per set, and after two months I couldn't do more than 3 reps per set so I decided to try Grease the Groove, doing a lot of sets of 3 reps throughout the day. After a couple of weeks of GtG I developed a case of golfer's elbow tendonitis. It took 3 months of rest, therapy and self-massage to recover.
After I recovered I bought a Perfect Pullup Assist and adjusted the height so that I could do 8 pull-ups in a set. When I can do 12 pull-ups in a set I'm going to adjust the height to make it harder, lower my reps, work up to 12 reps and keep repeating the process until I can do 10 unassisted pull-ups and chin-ups in a set.
When I started BWF I was unaware that tendons and ligaments don't grow/adapt/strengthen as fast as muscle, especially at my age. I've found that doing exercises that allow me to do 8-16 reps per set before failure help me avoid tendon problems. I don't know if it's just me, or if it's because of my age, but my tendons seem to be my rate-determining factor.
/u/Antranik wrote a very helpful post on How to Implement a Steady State Training Cycle, it's got great info about exercise and stress on connective tissue.
The only equipment I bought was a pull-up bar, a bar for rows, a used walker for dips from Goodwill for $10 and the Perfect Pullup Assist.
I've got mixed feelings about the last 12 months. I'm frustrated by my slow progress, I wish I was farther along. On the other hand, my upper body is in better shape than it's ever been, and I know that this is a life long journey. After getting tendonitis doing the one exercise I pushed hard, I realize it's better to go slow, focus on the long term, and avoid injury and the resulting time off. I'm trying to see my progress in yearly improvements rather than in weekly or monthly gains.
If I can do this your dad can!
>Yoga is the real question for me, I've never done it before, but I'd really love to try it. Do you guys have any tips?
My first tip would be to decide what you want out of your yoga sessions because there are many varieties with correspondingly many goals. Personally, I use yoga for recovery/mobility/flexibility, not as a "workout" or "training". Given that, I do a yoga session as part of the general mobility / recovery work I typically do on Tues/Thurs.
If you're just getting started with yoga, perhaps you could just pick up a good beginner's DVD and do it in front of the TV a couple days a week. This is still what I do as I believe most gym-based yoga classes are generally more focused on people who believe that yoga is their workout.
For a good beginner DVD, I recommend Rodney Yee's Yoga for Beginners because it comes with two 20ish-minute yoga sessions as well as a pose guide to help you work on your form.
>should I consider it a cardio day? or is it more of a bodyweight workout?
You'll only know the answer to these questions depending on how you answer the first question -- what do you want it to be?
While nothing will give you all the answers you seek, this book is really interesting.
Explains all about testosterone levels at different ages and why males behave the way they do. I'm not 100% subscribed to it of course but it was a fascinating read. I do agree with your body doing what it's supposed to do provided you have a reasonably healthy lifestyle. i.e. you're supposed to have testosterone decline as you age and testosterone injections aren't necessarily a good idea to fix that.
Unless you have dreams of being Mr. Olympia in your middle age, I think you'll be ok.
Also, the hormonal changes can come with obesity and other health issues that affect more and more men these days - studies like to focus on one thing and ignore so many other factors, the news likes to scare people. In short, you know what to do to maintain a healthy lifestyle, keep that up and it's the best preventive medicine ever!
If yuh do swimming see if you can find a “masters” program near you. They are basically swim clubs/ team for adults. Usually there has a workout and a coach. Swimming is all about form. You want someone to help you with your form so you don’t injure your shoulder. But great for longevity. I love road biking. Better than running on my feet.
Also on a more mental note maybe check out the book “full catastrophe living”. (Link below). I’ve learned to check my ego with working out and injuries, acceptance is a good skill (mindfulness acceptance). Also I found that being healthy snacks to work helps. Personally I got a vita mix and love that thing. Easy to make really tasty smoothies that fill me up.
I do suggest a good trainer who knows body stuff. I can no longer run and had to stop kickboxing due to foot issue. Miss it, but adjusting. Great job reaching out for support!
https://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-mindfulness-meditation/dp/0749915854
My parents are both over 60. My mom (with no fitness background) started lifting after age 60 using Starting Strength model as described in The Barbell Prescription
also on Amazon
If you do end up getting the book, read it from cover to cover and you will get a good understanding on how to modify the program to meet your mom's needs. There are chapters for specific age groups, but the author states even that's an arbitrary cut off as everyone's different, so don't just read that specific chapter and skip the rest.
My dad (being more fit) on the other hand is able to do push ups and pull ups, but never squatted. He became interested in barbell training from my mom and just started Greyskull LP and making nice gains.
The previous comments have great pointers as well.
I can imagine what you look like, given most office workers. Your posture is terrible and your weakness is posterior chain (just like most everyone else). Given that starting point....
Also, would be better to know your goal. What is your goal, your point B?
Options:
PS. Everyone starts being able to barely move a bar. Nobody starts out lifting 300lbs, doesn't work that way. About time and effort. There's always someone stronger than you and there is always someone weaker than you.
HTH
I'd suggest skimming Barbell Prescription (I honestly suggest this to anyone over 30 that doesn't know what they want to do yet workout wise). Then revisit how you feel about including things like squats (spoiler, they're really good at making you live long and well; I run half marathons and still squat 3 times a week and do deadlifts at least once, b/c it's good for me).
I'd also suggest investing in something that will let you do dips and pullups, they're incredibly efficient at working out a whole bunch of upper body muscles quickly, and equipment to do them is pretty cheap and small.
Depending on the plan you go with and the exercises you choose you could end up doing anywhere from 1 to 5 sets of 3 to 15 reps.
I really like the Strong Lifts routine. And I LOVE their app.
If you don't have access to a full gym, I've had some good success with kettlebells. I have been using the Iron Core Kettlebell DVD.
If you do have access to a full gym, and want a year long workout routine, I recommend looking into the New Rules of Lifting books.
It's definitely on the higher side especially if you are not in the U.S. BUT they last for a LONG time and are super high quality. I've had their lightest rope that I use the most last over a year. Then it's just $11-$18 for rope replacement. I hear you though.
Here are a couple good affordable options:
EliteSRS Heavy Beaded Fitness Jump Rope - Outdoor Rated - Comfort Foam Grip (Black/White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QMZ9C55/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TkSvDbBCGYFNA
https://www.amazon.com/EliteSRS-Beginner-Jump-Rope-Adults/dp/B07HMB95VZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=55435725589&gclid=CjwKCAjwqNnqBRATEiwAkHm2BDinL9COW3Z_FJyHr4zIH77wCWxCYYXcYsIr5e2XbN-lyO3Iu5WyhBoCTuMQAvD_BwE&hvadid=274714636724&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1027691&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=18272867535278196379&hvtargid=kwd-378598560675&hydadcr=17338_9499980&keywords=elitesrs+jump+rope&qid=1565967062&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE5UkhJTTlOVjUwV0MmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzMzMzNzFLNTlRUTdRNTFXMkkmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDg1MDE1NUEwRkhHODQ5OTJaRyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
Joking aside, long endurance exercises aren't that good for your circulatory system. HIIT (or Tabata cardio) is much more effective to strengthen your heart. I think Al Sears was the first guy to popularize this in his The Doctor's Heart Cure (or at least it was the first I heard of it), and if I'm not mistaken it's now the general consensus.
(And Mr. Fixx stopped smoking and lost weight 17 years before he died of a heart attack. Whether his heart was congenitally enlarged is open to question. His diet has been suggested as the big problem--he had the idea that since he exercised so much he could eat anything, and he was an inveterate carbohydrate hog--donuts, pies, cakes, etc.)
I'm the same age. Was a casual gym goer, then I discovered Starting Strength and fell in love!
Starting Strength is simple, quick, and the advancement feels and is noticeable. It's a really good program!
https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Strength-Basic-Barbell-Training/dp/0982522738
This will help with the weights-
http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Strength-3rd-Mark-Rippetoe/dp/0982522738
Counting calories is also a great step. I use Myfitnesspal.com.
The most important thing is to incorporate this stuff into your lifestyle, and feel good about it. You'll never keep it up if you think of it as a punishment.
Good luck!
>Is it necessary to get a personal trainer and pay the crazy fees?
Please please please don't do this. I'm assuming you're asking about trainers at your local gym whose "services" have been pushed on you. More often than not, these trainers are poorly trained, don't really cater to their client's needs and have no motivation to teach you how to train (because they'd lose a client).
Get a good book, watch form videos, and take it slow. I recommend reading Starting Strength (https://smile.amazon.com/Starting-Strength-Basic-Barbell-Training/dp/0982522738/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UCWOB64BOC54&keywords=starting+strength+basic+barbell+training+3rd+edition&qid=1569727215&sprefix=starting+strength%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1). It's not without its flaws as a long term training program, and the author's tone (Mark Rippetoe, a man who is half-meme and half-legend) is brash, but it's a solid introduction to strength and fitness.
Best I can do is to refer you to the work of Jonathan Sullivan and Andy Baker who wrote "The Barbell Prescription: Strength Training for Life After 40". Their primary focus on the benefits of practice of strength training for old(er) athletes and I think they have a lot of data to back up their findings.
https://www.amazon.com/Barbell-Prescription-Strength-Training-After/dp/0982522770
3 PRs this week!
145lb floor press - hit a bench/chest press PR couple weeks ago at 160
135lb push press - been stuck at 125 for months, think it was a mental block. I really struggle with overhead lifts. (bodyweight)
45lb pull up - used 10/10/25 plates. First time trying this.
Not PRs, but had some really good cleans this week. After reading Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe, my form/technique has gotten much better. Not finished reading it yet, really, really big book with lots of info.
I've made my own kombucha in the past. I wonder just how much hippy-woo am I drinking? The only sound science I've read is that it does contain an antibiotic, but also that it is ipso facto a contaminated culture considering that there are multiple lifeforms living in that "tea mushroom".
I've made my own kimchee, and have even obtained a ceramic vegetable fermenter to continue keep this a regular practice. As mentioned above The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Katz is an excellent resource. A rarer book that I found years earlier is The Permacutlure Book of Ferment & Human Nutrition by Bill Mollison.
I've been making mead for over a dozen years now. Its good stuff. Plus it is much easier to make than beer or wine, as there is no pasteurization of the initial ingredients due to the natural antiseptic properties of honey.
To improve your technique I would recommend Starting Strength
If you are going in today, I'd recommend starting with light weight and be careful of injury. You have a long time to live, don't get hurt at the start.
Yeah? Ok
Still don't understand why everyone doesn't go straight to this book. It's literally the only book anyone needs in their fitness journey.
BTW I found this book very good for working out which moves to do once you've got a proper diagnosis of your particular back problem from a specialist. It can get a bit technical but, but it's well worth it: https://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Keys-Back-Sufferers-Bible/dp/0091814944
ZMA helps a little bit also. But the best I found is light cardio, although it will be uncomfortable.
"Any recommendations for a guy in my life season? I need something structured, and I need something that will keep me disciplined..."
Try https://www.amazon.com/Barbell-Prescription-Strength-Training-After/dp/0982522770/ref=sr_1_1/145-2814763-7946832?ie=UTF8&qid=1504601937&sr=8-1&keywords=barbell+prescription
This book is excellent for those of us over 40.
This is the assistance band I used to get myself up to one pull-up: http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Fitness-Pullup-Exercise-Equipment/dp/B00BFCWA1E/ Worked really well. Their instructions said that once you can do 15 with the assistance band, you're ready to do one full pull-up without it, and they were right.
Hey- weren't you on Fitocracy?
Wanted to mention- this book has been very enlightening.
Amazon is just spooky. I go from the comment in alien blue to my Amazon app to get links for them and they were all already on the front page.
fish oil Some brands can taste... well, fishy. But these don't.
vitamin d
zma
Multivitamin is just a gnc mega man that I buy at Sam's Club or Costco.
There's evidence that mixing strength training and cardio is sub-optimal. The gist is that each type of activity leads to different metabolic pathways and your body can't do both at the same time.
Sullivan and Baker do a good (but highly technical) treatment of this in their book (Chapter 4, the section titled Interference Effects). I found a less technical treatment on the ISSA website which largely comes to the same conclusion.
None of that directly addresses your question, but it's something to be aware of.
What I haven't yet figured out is how much time do you need to allow between the two types of training to avoid the interference effect. Is lift in the morning, cardio in the afternoon enough? Or should it be lift today, cardio tomorrow?
I like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Core-Kettlebell-Sarah-Lurie/dp/B005FRWTSO
https://www.amazon.com/Barbell-Prescription-Strength-Training-After/dp/0982522770/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=strength+training+after+40&qid=1573145856&sr=8-1
This is what my doc told me, now I don't even use a belt. You must read this book
Bigger Leaner Stronger by Mike Matthews.
Not sure if you just meant that OP should explain it, but just in case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0557248299?pc_redir=1397902080&robot_redir=1
42 here; like others say, prevent injury. Getting a (good) trainer definitely won’t hurt.
Lower weights, more reps, and what helped me is more recovery time. (So two rest days instead of one).
Maybe have a look at The Barbell Prescription https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06Y4LXFCK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=
40 y.o here.
I've noticed that while I'm able to squat large amounts (>300lbs), run, hike, go up and down stairs with no problems, I had the same issues as you.
I've remedied it by being conscious of what muscle groups I use to get up from a 100% squated position. If I consciously tell my glutes and quads to move, no pain in the joints or discomfort. If I'm just picking up toys or the laundry or whatever; I'll squat down and have a hard time getting up because I seem to just rely on the muscles around those joints to move. But if I consciously engage my glutes and quads to stand, it's not so bad.
I'm not sure if it even makes any sense, but it's worked for me.
Also, I've changed the way I do squats where I really go down deep. I spread my legs wider that I've used to and angled my feet out farther. Check out "Starting Strength", helped me with my form and changed how I thought about the muscles you use for most actions.