Above 40, do you squat with weight equal or greater than your body weight?

[Anonymous]

I rarely see older people squat. Older people in the gym seem to avoid the squat due to lower back problems caused over time. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Less

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand your question. In your title you seem to be asking about extremely heavy squats - with weights greater than their body weight. Then in your post, you say you don’t see people over 40 squatting.

I’m 60. Every time I go to the gym I do weighted squats. Today I did 168 using 44 pounds of weight. I can go a bit higher but not much beyond 44 pounds, especially if I’m doing high numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand your question. In your title you seem to be asking about extremely heavy squats - with weights greater than their body weight. Then in your post, you say you don’t see people over 40 squatting.

I’m 60. Every time I go to the gym I do weighted squats. Today I did 168 using 44 pounds of weight. I can go a bit higher but not much beyond 44 pounds, especially if I’m doing high numbers.

You consider using weight equal to body weight extremely heavy? Young folks warm up with that weight. Yes I rarely see people above 40 using the squat rack with weight equal or more than their weight. who above 40 routinely squat 175 lbs or more? I wonder if by the time they are 40-50, they start having back problems from squatting.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know that they avoid squatting due to back problems. I think most people just don’t do squats/work their lower body very often. I see most older people doing a bunch of random upper body stuff.

I also think squats are a tough move for anyone with mobility issues. This can include tight ankle joints, knees, hips and even shoulders if you’re talking about barbell back squats. Poor mobility is more common as you age, especially if you haven’t stayed in shape / worked on mobility. Squats are so important for everyone. No one wants to not be able to get out of a chair one day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand your question. In your title you seem to be asking about extremely heavy squats - with weights greater than their body weight. Then in your post, you say you don’t see people over 40 squatting.

I’m 60. Every time I go to the gym I do weighted squats. Today I did 168 using 44 pounds of weight. I can go a bit higher but not much beyond 44 pounds, especially if I’m doing high numbers.

You consider using weight equal to body weight extremely heavy? Young folks warm up with that weight. Yes I rarely see people above 40 using the squat rack with weight equal or more than their weight. who above 40 routinely squat 175 lbs or more? I wonder if by the time they are 40-50, they start having back problems from squatting.

Unless they learned to squat properly when they were younger or get a trainer to make sure they maintain proper form it is not safe to go heavy. How often do you even see someone over 40 with a companion strong enough to spot? It is not just a potential back injury, but poor form can cause knee damage. They can tweak a neck muscle. A front squat with 60-70% body weight would be a better alternative. If the gym has a hex bar, they should try a hex bar deadlift. It is much less risky so long as they don’t use a weightlifting belt. Their weak grip strength will keep the weight low and in a safe zone. The hex bar also forces you to stay centered over the weigh and can limit injuries.

[Anonymous]

I am a 40yo female and my current max is 180. I do my work sets of 8-12 at around my body weight which is 140 at the moment.

[Anonymous]

I’m 48 and regularly squat much heavier than my body weight. I don’t think it is that unusual but perhaps depends on where you train

[Anonymous]

I am 50, recently started back squatting and am doing 50% of my body weight right now. Hoping to get to 100%!

Interestingly I am having an easier time with back squats than with goblet squats, and I was only at 35lbs for goblets. My knees hurt a lot less. Maybe it’s because I’m doing fewer reps.

[Anonymous]

Knees are probably a weaker point for most people than backs.

I've always had weak knees, and even though I could modify some squats and lunges, I don't bother.

[Anonymous]

Might be your gym's culture and time you go? I haven't been to the gym since covid, but the regulars on my old, early MWF schedule were all big squatters and near or above me in age. I'm 48, female, and back squat my bodyweight.

[Anonymous]

46 F, I weigh 150, current 1RM of 195. Have been squatting at this weight since 25. No back problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand your question. In your title you seem to be asking about extremely heavy squats - with weights greater than their body weight. Then in your post, you say you don’t see people over 40 squatting.

I’m 60. Every time I go to the gym I do weighted squats. Today I did 168 using 44 pounds of weight. I can go a bit higher but not much beyond 44 pounds, especially if I’m doing high numbers.

What is your goal in squatting 168 times at this weight?

[Anonymous]

It's the knees that go first not the back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 50, recently started back squatting and am doing 50% of my body weight right now. Hoping to get to 100%!

Interestingly I am having an easier time with back squats than with goblet squats, and I was only at 35lbs for goblets. My knees hurt a lot less. Maybe it’s because I’m doing fewer reps.

Knees hurting is probably due to leaning forward more in a goblet squat. You need to hold the weight in tight to your body and be sure to sit back, keeping arms and core tight. Goblet squats are great for your core.