Am I too old at 23 to start working out?

Question

First off let me say I am really in to my fitness. I run 5 miles a day, along with one hundred sit-ups and press-ups and twenty pull-ups.

This means that I am of above average fitness, but I am unhappy with the way that even though I eat well and exercise a lot I am as skinny as a rake; I do not mean from an aesthetic viewpoint, but by the way I am aerobically fit but have little to no actual strength.

At 23 am I too old to really be starting to pile on the mass (not to pro bodybuilder levels, but just building up my upper arms and shoulders). Someone told me that unless you've started by the time you are 18 there's no point?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Gee thanks, feel really ancient now.
Stop worrying about your body image and get a life!
You don't want to end up with a disorder, not worth it.

Answer 2

No you're not too old. I will tell you though, by running 5 miles a day, there isn't much that you can do to put on weight / muscle mass. That extensive of cardio is burning everything. Cut your cardio in half, eat high protein foods, or even the protein shakes at the health store, and when you use weights for lifting, you want to increase your weight and decrease your reps. For example: 30lb dumbell, 10 reps: rather than 20lb 20 rep. The heavier the weight you use, and the least reps, will help you bulk up. A lighter weight, more reps helps you tone.

Answer 3

I hope not!
I've just turned 23 and after my girlfriend took a pic of me on holiday looking particularly skinny (which, I've got to admit, I was) I started training about 2 months ago. I've just today weighed myself and found that I've added my first stone (woohoo!) and NONE of that has gone to fat. I'm significantly stronger, doing at least 1/3 extra weighs to what I was when I started, I feel far better in myself and (apparently) I look better.
You sound to me to be damn fit, but I would have thought that to add mass, you'll probably need to cut down on the running. I found after about a month that by cutting my cardio in half, the mass went on a lot more quickly. Once I'm at my target weight (another 2 stone to go) I guess I'll start cutting, and doing more cardio work to keep up overall fitness levels.
But you're NOT too old!

Answer 4

Am I too old at 54? I don't think so....

No reason you shouldn't start lifting. You may not get as big as the Governator, but you should be able to make significant changes, genetics be damned.

I get the sense that you may need to adjust your expectations as well. You will need to spend significant hours in the weight room to achieve what you want.

Just as 5 miles running a day isn't very much, a few pushups, situps and chins aren't going to turn you into Mr. Universe.

Don't get me wrong, its adequate exercise for general fitness, but if you want to stand out from the crowd, it will take a LOT more.

Answer 5

You say that you run five-miles and do one-hundred sit-ups and press-ups, followed by twenty pull-ups!... then say that you have little to no strength; a slight inconsistency there. Sounds like you're a very fit (and strong) YOUNG man.

As far as bulking up goes, it generally gets easier with age -- though things tend to slow down again when you get into late middle-age. Twenty-three is an excellent age to start weight training.

Answer 6

Not at all!

On the contrary. many times starting to soon could have more risks that at 23. Your one structure and muscle maturity are ready for the effort with less risk that while developing. So, worry not!

The most important thing is to get the proper work out you need for the goals you want to achieve. So ask at a gym or do some searching on the subject.
It is not so much a matter of many days and lots of weight, but of a sensible plan and continuity to get results.

Luck

Answer 7

Absolutely not! Just about anyone (age wise) can gain muscle. You just might have to eat a lot more to really gain muscle. Running 5 miles burns off a lot energy and substance you could use to make muscle. That's not saying that you should stop at all, but that you'll have to eat more to gain weight.

Answer 8

Muscle mass can be built at any age. It requires anaerobic exercise found in weight lifting. There are limitations that are related to genetics. I think you are old and need a wheelchair. JK Have a great day.

Answer 9

I started working out in the gym when i was 35, i went training with my ex who was a bodybuilder and i had no problem building up muscle, you are NEVER too old to start. I'm still enjoying it too

Answer 10

i'm 30 and I always work out to keep in shape and this is no word of a lie in my area there is a guy of 90 and he cycles everywhere he was also in the local paper it's a good 20 miles you should read the article link is below so no you are not too old

Answer 11

Your muscles work the same way no matter what age you are. If you work out with weights, they will get bigger. Trust me - my dad started at 42! (he won an amature fitness/body building competition after 3 months, so it can be done!)