Is 41 to old to get back in shape and start highland games?

[GoodGirlGonePlaid]

I started at 37 with zero field or weight training experience.
Granted, I drift from sport to sport, so I was coming for a somewhat athletic background (running, boxing, yoga, walking, hiking, biking, etc.). But, admittedly, this definitely does not come naturally. I'm super sucky but it's so much fun!

I'll admit, it is a bit daunting to see these 20-somethings throw so easily, but that's just the nature of competition I suppose.

[eclarkhb]

I'll be 40 in 2 weeks, I was 39 when I did my 1st games. I think its a great age to get started with a new hobby :-)

As far as getting in shape, I had the same question when I was 38 & decided I might like to start lifting weights for the first time in 20 years. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get stronger & make gains. But in less than 2 years, I've taken my bench from 205->315, my squat from 225->405, and my deadlift from 255->475. And I'm about 15 pounds lighter.

So no, you're not too old to start and yes you can still make gains and improve. Just do some research, figure out your goals and make a plan to get there. The only way I was able to stay motivated was by setting up my workouts so that I was breaking PRs on a regular basis & seeing progress. I highly recommend Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 program (get the book) if you're looking to hit the weights as well.

[biblemonkey]

If 41 is too old then this guy should be dead!

http://teamripped.com/60-and-ripped

[Alan H]

I'll be 40 in 2 weeks, I was 39 when I did my 1st games. I think its a great age to get started with a new hobby :-)

As far as getting in shape, I had the same question when I was 38 & decided I might like to start lifting weights for the first time in 20 years. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get stronger & make gains. But in less than 2 years, I've taken my bench from 205->315, my squat from 225->405, and my deadlift from 255->475. And I'm about 15 pounds lighter.

So no, you're not too old to start and yes you can still make gains and improve. Just do some research, figure out your goals and make a plan to get there. The only way I was able to stay motivated was by setting up my workouts so that I was breaking PRs on a regular basis & seeing progress. I highly recommend Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 program (get the book) if you're looking to hit the weights as well.

2 weeks away from 40??? No WAY!!!

I'd have guessed early 30's. Are you gonna go throw in the Masters? You get to chuck a 42 pounder instead of the 56. Then again, it might be fun to put in a season or two in the B's and play with the young bucks and the 56 pound widowmaker before slacking off with the 40-49's...

[Mickey]

I'm slowly trying to get back into shape again and can only reiterate what Alan has said. Start slow and light! Once in our 40's, we need a bit more time to recover and rebuild. I started out too fast and too hard, and paid the price. Lost a lot of time recovering. Things get hurt a little easier, and they heal a little slower, but it can certainly be done!

It's a sad realization when it hits you that you just ain't 25 anymore in the weight room, but that is replaced quickly with pride that you are doing it when the results start coming in.

Do it... just do it a tiny bit slower

[eclarkhb]

2 weeks away from 40??? No WAY!!!

I'd have guessed early 30's. Are you gonna go throw in the Masters? You get to chuck a 42 pounder instead of the 56. Then again, it might be fun to put in a season or two in the B's and play with the young bucks and the 56 pound widowmaker before slacking off with the 40-49's...

Yep, I'll be 40 on 3/16. Going out to dinner with some friends then downtown at a pub all day on 3/17 for St. Patricks day - kilted, of course! Should be a fun weekend!

I haven't given much thought to the 40+ Masters....might be fun though...

[Joshua]

Heck, I got into the highland games as a sport to compete in as I retired from strongman at 32!

If I had any advice I would give anyone just starting out in the games, it's this...

Don't go to the gym and "work out" - do everything with a purpose. The bench press *might* help with your stone put, but too many guys (even HG athletes) go to the gym, knock out some bench presses, then call it a day. Alan's ideas for gym training are pretty much spot on. As Dan John (PBUH) has said, "The Body is One Piece" - so train everything - freeweights are better than any machine, naturally.

Other things not gym related you can do to improve your games experience...

1. Sprinting, not jogging. Sprints allow you to become much more explosive, which is really what the games are about. Plus, most of us have stopped running races by the time we are 25, it's time to be a kid again. I like to take my very fast little dog out to the same field I throw in, unleash her, and try to catch her... little 5-10 second bursts of sprinting speed really take their toll on you, but you always get better and faster from them.

2. Jumping. Yes, jumping. If you can jump well and hold onto a bar, you can throw. Again, it's about explosion. I like jumping onto the mid-thigh paving stones throughout my neighborhood. I get funny looks, but don't really care.

3. Most importantly, get some landscaping stones, find a field, and THROW! Two-handed "granny" throws to improve your caber, standing and approaching stone throws to improve those, etc... Throwing more, will result in you throwing further as you build up form and familiarity with it. Stones are the easiest equipment to acquire, and (in my opinion) lend the most crossover to the other events.


I started on the field while I was still neck-deep in a fairly successful strongman career - I was sponsored by two supplement companies and I ranked as high as 12th place nationally among guys who eventually became professional athletes. I came out to the field and did "OK" with my strength - against guys that were not as "strong", but were more explosive, and knew the implements better.

This should serve to prove that the games are not specifically a strength sport. It is a sport of power, finesse, and fun. Being strong helps, but being a good thrower helps more.

[Alan H]

One last thing.

There are at least 20 guys on this forum who have inquired into what it takes to try Highland athletics. Hey, that's fine...."online" is a good place to try on ideas to see how they "fit". I know that, and I don't expect every person who posts in here to actually go out and work at this stuff. Sometimes part of the decision-making process is writing about an idea and asking some questions.

In the end, however, if you're going to do it, THEN DO IT. All the writing on the internet, in the world is nothing but that....writing on the internet.

You can be one of those guys who writes about maybe someday trying the Highland athletics on the internet, and asks questions about it online. OR... you can be one of the guys who actually DOES IT. Even if you only do it once.

Be a writer/talker/internet chatter
-->Or be a DO-ER, on the "action" side of the fence at the Games.

Even if it's only once.

It's your choice.

[azwildcat96]

In the end, however, if you're going to do it, THEN DO IT. All the writing on the internet, in the world is nothing but that....writing on the internet.

You can be one of those guys who writes about maybe someday trying the Highland athletics on the internet, and asks questions about it online. OR... you can be one of the guys who actually DOES IT. Even if you only do it once.

Be a writer/talker/internet chatter
-->Or be a DO-ER, on the "action" side of the fence at the Games.

Even if it's only once.

It's your choice.

Hear, hear!

I wore a kilt for a couple years before I tossed heavy stuff. Last year a close friend asked me about highland athletics. He did not own a kilt, and assumed that since I did, that I might know. When I told him I had no idea what he was talking about, he did some homework, found a local group, and started going to weekly practice.

I tagged along a couple weeks later (in my kilt), with the intention of just watching. The group decided that anyone my size in a kilt needed to throw...I'm only 5'10", 235lbs. I threw hammer, weight over bar and weight for distance (not well, mind you), but I threw them. I've been hooked ever since, competed in two games so far, signed up for number three in Phoenix later this month, and eyeing the Las Vegas games in April.

My wife and kids used to come with me to practice on weekend mornings to watch us. After a few weeks, my wife picked up a light hammer and tossed it...now she's hooked too, and one of three women that practice with us regularly.

To quote Nike...I mean Alan, "Just Do It!"

[azwildcat96]

In high school, I was on the basketball, tennis, rugby, and swim teams. I haven't exercised since college. But I'm throwing now, and loving it!

Speaking from my experience only, the group that I throw with, and the competitors that I have met in California and Arizona highland games, there are all types of people doing this. Men and women, younger college guys, older folks, skinny, fat, tall, short, body builders and weight lifters, cross fit and strongman competitors, different occupations and economic backgrounds. Some throw for the competition, some for the camaraderie, some for the exercise some for the social atmosphere.

The coolest thing that I have experienced about highland athletics is the family atmosphere and the lack of ego. The other competitors, even the judges, will give you pointers on how to do better. They cheer you on. The sportsmanship that I have witnessed is second to none.

Couild it be another "behold the power of the kilt" moment? Maybe!