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28 year old getting back into the gym-advice

Posted on 8/10/23 at 10:55 am
Posted by BayouBengal23
BR
Member since Mar 2019
632 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 10:55 am
5’8 155. Little but of a dad bod has been chasing me for the last few years.

Starting to workout again next week. I’m looking to add a little bit of size (not very important though). Mainly wanting to pause and drop the dad bod some.

I do intermittent fasting 12-6:30. Don’t drink. Eat home cooked meals and occasional fast food.

What I’m looking for is what should my emphasis be in the gym. And besides pre-workout, what would be the best supplements to take for these goals?
Posted by JL
Member since Aug 2006
3208 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 11:56 am to
Hop on the PPSA thread, pick a workout and stick to it. I'm 40 and just finished my first month workout and am seeing great results, down from a 35 to a 33 with no weight loss. I'm just on protein, but about to start creatine.
This post was edited on 8/10/23 at 11:57 am
Posted by IBeenYeetin
Member since Sep 2019
326 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 12:07 pm to
What JL said, find a program that is compatible with your schedule and stick to it. Progressive overload over time. Being that you have a strict eating window, make sure protein is the priority, aim for at least 1g per lb of body weight. Supplementing a protein powder can help if you're not hitting your number with just whole foods. I'd focus on getting that in order before going down the supplement rabbit hole, although creatine monohydrate is great for more than just strength, so would suggest that
Posted by OysterPoBoy
City of St. George
Member since Jul 2013
43140 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 12:23 pm to
quote:

I’m looking to add a little bit of size (not very important though)


That's where I was when I started a couple years ago. Now I want all I can get. It's not easy though.
Posted by SouthMSReb
Member since Dec 2013
4710 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 12:26 pm to
quote:

I’m looking to add a little bit of size (not very important though). Mainly wanting to pause and drop the dad bod some.


Hit the weights hard. It's much more difficult to put on muscle mass (visually) than people think. The added muscle will also help boost your calorie expenditure passively making weight loss* easier.
This post was edited on 8/10/23 at 1:19 pm
Posted by tke_swamprat
Houma, LA
Member since Aug 2004
10885 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 1:05 pm to
Start light, take it easy, don't go into rhabdo.
Posted by h0bnail
Member since Sep 2009
7628 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 1:08 pm to
You probably know this already, but just in case...IF doesn't mean you can just go ham in your window.
Posted by RocketTiger
Member since Mar 2014
1220 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 1:17 pm to
Focus on traditional compound movements/lifts.

Creatine is a great supplement. Great for so many things other than lifting and building mass. Supplement with a protein powder if you can't get your 155 grams of protein through whole foods.

I don't do preworkout supps or pump supps. I take a tablespoon of honey with some Redmonds Real Salt sprinkled on top for my preworkout. Dring some cold brew coffee 30 minutes prior.

I'm 40. Got back into lifting heavy 3 years ago.

First step is to just get to the gym. Good for you!!
Posted by OysterPoBoy
City of St. George
Member since Jul 2013
43140 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 1:44 pm to
quote:

Creatine is a great supplement.


I had been taking 5g/day for about a year. I heard Andrew Huberman say dose should be weight dependent and someone weighing 200 lb should be taking closer to 10g/day as long as your stomach can handle it. I've been doing 10 for a couple of months and can definitely tell a difference. Strength and size.
Posted by el Gaucho
He/They
Member since Dec 2010
58515 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:01 pm to
quote:

Don’t drink

Start by curling 12 oz for reps baw
Posted by jose
Houma
Member since Feb 2009
29661 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:07 pm to
I was taking 5g/day for a while but I stopped it bc I felt like I was getting too bloated on it.
Posted by Lawyers_Guns_Money
Member since Apr 2015
438 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 2:24 pm to
I would recommend Stronglifts 5x5, you are the perfect candidate for Stronglifts.

It is super simple, effective, and you will have fun since you are seeing progress fast.

Stronglifts 5x5 was the first workout program I did after taking years off from working out. I can't think of a more simple program which is key if you are going to be consistent.

You can get the program for free or pay a few bucks for the App, either works.
Posted by TU Rob
Birmingham
Member since Nov 2008
13332 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 3:29 pm to
quote:

Stronglifts 5x5


I had almost forgotten about this one. Did this several years ago when I was at a gym. It is awesome to do for a couple of months.
Posted by Oakenshield
Member since Jul 2022
21 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 4:09 pm to
quote:

Start light, take it easy, don't go into rhabdo.



This. You’re full of motivation and energy right now. Go 0-100 and you won’t be able to move the next day.
Posted by TideSaint
Hill Country
Member since Sep 2008
83238 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 5:22 pm to
quote:

5’8 155


quote:

dad bod


What?

A dad bod on someone 5'8" would be north of 200 pounds.
Posted by Tiger Ryno
#WoF
Member since Feb 2007
107552 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 7:02 pm to
You are only 28. Pack on as much muscle as you possibly can while you still can.
Posted by FieldEngineer
Member since Jan 2015
2596 posts
Posted on 8/10/23 at 7:43 pm to
quote:

Stronglifts 5x5


I do PPSA now, but started with SL and loved it for starting out. I had a great idea of my training maxes when starting PPSA.
Posted by Yeti_Chaser
Member since Nov 2017
11805 posts
Posted on 8/11/23 at 8:41 am to
I'd actually recommend you not start with PPSA. Too much changing exercises and potentially switching every 4 weeks to a different focus. Someone just starting out needs to just focus on getting really good at a few lifts at a time. Also PPSA programs tend to change their focus by increasing frequency a lot (a bench program might have you bench 4-5 days a week) which you really don't need right now. I still don't think you can go wrong with greyskull, especially at your age since you can really ramp up the intensity a lot more than you can with PPSA and pack on some muscle.

Main thing is to just spend several weeks making sure you learn the proper form of a deadlift, Squat, bench press, OH Press, and barbell row. That'll take you far
Posted by NewOrleansBlend
Member since Mar 2008
1179 posts
Posted on 8/12/23 at 1:31 am to
Completely agree with all of the points above including focusing on form, starting low and progressing, and choosing a program like greyskull lp that is focused on progressive overload, higher intensity, and lower volume, which is much better for a beginner or intermediate. Simpler is better, more time efficient, with better gains.
Posted by bayoubengals88
LA
Member since Sep 2007
23505 posts
Posted on 8/14/23 at 7:52 pm to
Good on the IF and no drinking.

Consistency is key.
I do 20 minutes of cardio and 25 minutes of lifting Monday through Friday before work.

After 2-3 months my body composition is much improved.
I don’t eat past 7:00 normally and wait until 9:15 to eat in the morning.

It doesn’t take much.
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