You’re working out, training hard, & eating right – but you don’t look like a bodybuilder… Here’s why…
You’ve been going to the gym for months, you’re eating right, taking your protein shakes, getting 8 hours of sleep a night… Basically doing everything that you should be doing… But you don’t look like a bodybuilder. In fact, you hardly look like you even lift weights…
What’s going on?
What are you doing wrong?
Well, you are probably not doing anything “wrong”. It’s just that you haven’t given yourself enough time to develop a big muscular physique.
Getting ripped, huge, and jacked takes A LOT longer than the mainstream fitness media would like you to believe. And that’s what we’re going to cover in this video…
17 Comments
Robbie Hammerton
Hi Lee, I enjoy reading your training tips even though they do not apply to my present workout regime mow as I am 72 years of age and am not looking for a bodybuilding body but wish to maintain my fitness. I am more or less the same weight as when I was a teenager and Gymnast. I find it great and really refreshing to hear a Coach speak honestly about how long it takes to develop a body. I look forward to reading more of your tips in the future. Best wishes, Robbie H.
leehayward
Thanks for your comment Robbie, it’s great to hear that you’re still working out and keeping fit at 72.
Scott
Lee;
Great Vid…I am in week 10 of the your 12 week program. At 62, I am making gains in strength and muscle.
I am able to ride a bike further, life and carry heavier items and most importantly, I am more confident.
A Vid idea….For men and women over 60 or so, or just those out of shape…
As you know;
When a person grows older, or they are in poor shape, they become afraid of doing stuff they did when younger. Just about all the people I know in this category seem to have or on their way to becoming fear based. Of course, the potential for injury, loss of quality of life, etc drastically increases when we allow ourselves to quit trying…
It all begins and ends with our mental attitude, however, we must put in a lot of work to get and keep in shape…
Scott
leehayward
Thanks for your comment and I’m glad to hear you are making gains at 62, that’s awesome – keep it up!
JEFF CRAFT
Why don’t I look like a bodybuilder? Too old and not trying for it.
leehayward
That’s a good reason 🙂
W Billy Mcgarrity
Very informative yet plainly obvious to most .
Thanks again lee .
leehayward
Glad you like the video 🙂
ELROD MORRISON
HEY COACH LEE,
I TAKE BITS AND PIECES FROM ALL OF YOUR CLIPS. I AM SO GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU ARE HEARING FROM US OLDER TRAINERS. I AM 65, 6’2″ 220. LIKE YOU I AM NOT GENETICLY ENGINEERED TO MAKE MASSIVE GAINS. I HAVE MADE MY OWN T-SHIRTS WITH A QUOTE ON THE BACK “AIN’T NO SHORTCUTS”. THAT IS THE BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE TO YOUR HARD GAINERS. THOROUGH MY YEARS I ALSO HAD MY BEST GAINS WITH SUPERSETS AND COMPOUND MOVEMENTS. I WILL LEAVE IT UP TO COACH LEE TO EXPLAIN ABOUT THESE TYPE OF LIFTS. ORDERED NEW T-SHIRTS NOW THAT SAY “ON MEDICARE AND STILL LIFTING”. I GET MANY COMMENTS ON THESE QUOTES.
LIVE TRAIN LEARN
ELROD
leehayward
Thanks for sharing your feedback, it’s much appreciated. I bet you’ll get some unique comments about the “ON MEDICARE AND STILL LIFTING” t-shirts LOL
Meagan Madril
Hey Lee thank you so much for your transparency and keepin it real. I have a question about how the hell do you stay motivated for even just five years much less ten years of training and dieting? Ive been bodybuilding for six months and i am feeling ready to quit. It breaks my heart that i feel this way now. First off ive gained 25# in this six months but the last month i switched jobs and in that process i have lost five pounds of hard earned weight. Also i have been struggling to make it to the gym because im tired and getting used to a new job that is much more physically demanding even though i only work part time im exhausted. Also ive been eating the same foods for six months and my appetite is at its limit. By that i mean i just dont want to eat at all anymore. Right now im struggling to finish my breakfast. I have searched for new recipies to try to change thw flavors but im just tired of choking down a pound of lean ground beef, steak, or chicken on the daily. Please share some insight on how to stay motivated for the five or ten years. I really thought this is what i wanted and i am shocked that im struggling like this!!!
Thom Porter
Well, once again, thank you for telling it as it is!!!! Respect!
Over the years I have dipped in and out of sports including bodybuilding and cycling…. and during these phases of dipping in and out I have had quite a fluctuation of weight gain and weight loss…. eg I went from 188 pounds of some muscle to 242 pounds of fat, down to 168 pounds of skin and bone, then back up to 246 pounds of more lard and I am currently down to 180 pounds…. all this up and downing from the age of 25ish to today, age 55…. yes, it takes time!!!! So, as I am now signed up to your videos and total fitness bodybuilding app, and listening to your no BS talk on bodybuilding results, I am completely committed to spending the rest of my life getting healthier and bulkier, if that’s possible at my age…. So, thanks for the real talk concerning target hitting, hard work and dedication. Now, over the next 10+ years I’ll be working at it hard…. all being well, that is, as I’m taking nothing for granted…… Thank you Lee for sharing the knowledge…. Maybe one day I’ll send a before and during pic… not a before and after as I intend on sticking it out to the last…. Best wishes to you for a bright future 😁👍
leehayward
Thanks for the comment and for sharing your progress. I wish you all the best for a long and healthy fitness journey 🙂
Guy Boyajian
I am 58 yrs young male. I want to know if its ok to take vitamins, supplements, whey protein shakes, creatine. Should I be taking something before and after workouts?
Sometimes I feel sluggish going into the gym to do my workout and after my workout my muscles feel sore. What should I be taking so I can get in shape?
I want to show muscle and be tonned. How much cardio should I be doing without loosing my muscle mass?
leehayward
Yes, it’s ok to take nutritional supplements like you’ve mentioned. I have a video that covers this in more detail at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y-gNVMx4Ak
To help you feel more energetic before you workouts try having a cup of coffee. The caffeine from the coffee will help give you a mental and physical “pick me up”.
As for cardio, the amount you do really depends on your fitness goals and lifestyle.
I made a video that goes into detail talking how much cardio is ideal based on different situations at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWvm1bERy8A
Santanu Bandyopadhyay
Now, I am 55 Yrs. male. I used to practice weightlifting since I was 18 yrs. But except local level competition, I could not progress and ultimately I shifted to Power lifting. In that field too I could not achieve any remarkable progress even after doing all possible efforts and my physique is just like normal common person. At present my body-weight is 65 Kgs. Not able to practice with heavy weight barbells due to knee & shoulder joint problems. Now, at this age & physical condition, is it possible to achieve big, shreded body like the body-builders of higher level? Please advise.
John
thanks for the sober reminder. i am 60, like some of the others who have commented, and lifting now for a few years. feeling stronger and more energetic than ever. feeling younger, too. i have had a few injuries, muscle pull or strains. takes months to overcome. have learned to be EXTRA careful. what do you think about bench press for us seniors, could it be dangerous?
have some muscle development, it comes very slowly.
thanks for the counsel. i will keep going.