Bodybuilding.net - Bodybuilding Forum

Well, this isn't my first post but another member pointed out that I should introduce myself here.

I am a 5' 8" tall 45 year old male and live near Chicago. I currently weigh about 190lb with about 16% bodyfat. I work out in my home gym.

I have been lifting for over 25 years but never in a consistent, progressive manner and likely with poor form most of that time. About a year ago, I was just doing some searching about lifting routines. Not really looking to improve because I didn't have a clue that what I was doing wasn't working other than it may have helped keep additional weight off.

I found a website and read a lot of its blog material. I ended up doing its program called StrongLifts 5x5 which I later found to be a variation of Rippetoe's beginner program. I started with an empty bar and did squats (3 times per week), deadlifts, seated press (ceiling too low in my home gym for overhead press), bench press and dips/chin-ups/pull-ups as accessory exercises. Bought Rippetoe's Starting Strength 2nd Edition and worked on form.

About mid-year, I was able to squat 1.5 times bodyweight and bench a little over bodyweight. Deadlift suffered slightly due to grip but subsequent grip work has helped me improve in that area as well. About the time I could squat 1.5 times bodyweight, I started stalling/deloading and decided I needed an intermediate routine.

I then spent 16 weeks doing Eric Cressey's Maximum Strength routine which helped with sticking points. Mobility exercises and deep tissue work (via foam roller and tennis ball) also helped.

I am now doing a Bill Star 5x5 variant and was planning on my next routine. Started reading about DFHT and ended up on this site. I prefer strength training because at my age I would like to be strong. Big muscles seem to not look as good on a balding old guy but being able to lift something heavy no matter what you look like. However, I liked the idea of doing a combined Starr 5x5 / DFHT and realized that this does not have to be an all or nothing proposition.

I look forward to contributing to this forum and learning additional info as I continue my quest to be a strong, chronically-challenged guy.