Hey guys, I turned 59 a few weeks ago and figure I'm close enough to 60 to lump in with that crowd. I'm sure the vast majority of the people who use this site are well under my age and I'm guessing that applies especially to this particular Forum. Continuing that thought, I think a lot of the fitness/workout advice and comments here probably are more suited for the younger guys, those who can really go hard at workouts all the time without a lot of worry. (I know there are probably some of you guys reading this who are older than myself and are saying "well I work out all the time and do xxxx and I'm fine, and whatever"); I know that but it's just that you guys I'm sure are way in the minority. I am one of those guys, having been in sports and fitness continually since my teens and working out regularly now. But now at this age, staying healthy and injury-free while remaining fit is the main priority. Injuries at this age are a much bigger setback than for young guys and recovery takes a lot longer.
Sorry for the long intro but all that being said, I have a question about workout programs. I'll be hunting CO's first rifle season this year; buddy and I will be more or less doing a drop camp only we will hike up the mountain rather than ride horseback. In preparation, I do lower body weight and resistance work every other weekday. This consists of 7-8 different exercises such as back squats, calf raises, hip adductor and abductor, leg extensions, box step-ups while holding kettle bells, and others. I also do a fair amount of ab exercises (I don't do any upper body workouts because I have elbow and shoulder injuries that pretty much prohibit that and I really don't want to put on any upper body muscle, anyway). On the days between those days, I do cardio, mixing up stair climber, spinning bike, elliptical, and very rarely, running treadmill (I used to do triathlons but pretty much quit running to save my knees). On Saturday or Sunday I do backpack hikes.
My question is, am I better off resting between lower body workout days? Or maybe, excluding the stair climber exercises, in order to let leg muscles rest and recover? Or just continue to do what I do now? Are you familiar with any programs for senior guys? As I'm only 7 weeks or so out from my hunt, I want to peak at the right time but also and most importantly, not get hurt.
Sorry for the length of this post and I appreciate your input.
Sorry for the long intro but all that being said, I have a question about workout programs. I'll be hunting CO's first rifle season this year; buddy and I will be more or less doing a drop camp only we will hike up the mountain rather than ride horseback. In preparation, I do lower body weight and resistance work every other weekday. This consists of 7-8 different exercises such as back squats, calf raises, hip adductor and abductor, leg extensions, box step-ups while holding kettle bells, and others. I also do a fair amount of ab exercises (I don't do any upper body workouts because I have elbow and shoulder injuries that pretty much prohibit that and I really don't want to put on any upper body muscle, anyway). On the days between those days, I do cardio, mixing up stair climber, spinning bike, elliptical, and very rarely, running treadmill (I used to do triathlons but pretty much quit running to save my knees). On Saturday or Sunday I do backpack hikes.
My question is, am I better off resting between lower body workout days? Or maybe, excluding the stair climber exercises, in order to let leg muscles rest and recover? Or just continue to do what I do now? Are you familiar with any programs for senior guys? As I'm only 7 weeks or so out from my hunt, I want to peak at the right time but also and most importantly, not get hurt.
Sorry for the length of this post and I appreciate your input.