Exercise Scientist Critiques the Most Jacked 79-Year-Old (Robby Robinson)
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Genetics is a big deal. Can you look like Robby Robinson in your 70s? Did you look like Robby Robinson back in 1978? Probably not. There is no age limit to starting to lift weights when older, as long as you follow a few rules. Rule one: being smart in the gym is mandatory.
Hey folks, Dr. Mike here for RP Strength. I am currently 41 years old. There are lifters in their late 70s who are jacked and lean. Nobody is as jacked, lean, strong, and impressive as the Black Prince himself, Robby Robinson, legendary bodybuilder in the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s, and now 2020s. He's still training, healthy, and looks incredible.
Late 70s rack deadlift of 550 lbs, really bent over, not from above the knee. Technique never broke; slow ease, total control, stood with weight for seconds afterward. Steady and slow progressions are key for lifting when older. No rush, or you'll end up in the hospital. Start really light, very good technique, big range of motion, build reps, then increase weight over time. Eventually, do a plate or two plates on each side for deadlifts, which inoculates older folks from injury in daily tasks.
I love to train. I love the workout. I'm passionate about it.
To get motivated: do fun effective workouts, go with friends, make habitual, love progress. Fundamentally, like being in the gym. Not about willpower or grit; can't grit 50 years of dedication. Negative mindset crushes you. Love progress, pump, look, culture, effort. Hack for amazing shape in older years: experiment to like going to the gym and training hard, then never let it go.
I love to feel the pain, the sets and reps. I love that incredible pump. Working out does hurt the muscle, joints, tiring, but I have such an intense love, never feel tired.
Some physical pain is designed for humans; without challenge involving pain and exertion, psychological health declines. Happiest people: triathletes, competitive athletes, bodybuilders hurting in controlled way. Morning painful training: endorphins, mood settling, anxiety reduction. Pain good for two reasons: 1) muscle pain near failure, high tension, predicts growth; 2) cathartic, better for psychological health than avoiding.
Pull-ups in 70s unbelievable. Squeezing biceps, stretching lats. Critique: not wearing VersaGrips (sponsor). Gentleman to right wearing VersaGrips. Partial range of motion: older folks should aim full ROM for aptitude at all ranges, but respect musculoskeletal issues. Less eager to judge long-time older lifters. Younger guy coached to full ROM in another clip.
Michael Heiser said nice things recently. All love and respect.
Robby Robinson's arm ballooned, two triceps.
Bench dips with plates (tens/25s if not super strong, 45s if strong). Near failure, buddy removes plate, lock out, breathe, go again. Drop set potentiates nervous system, improves mind-muscle, more volume near failure across rep ranges. Great triceps finisher.
Most 70-year-olds can't bend like that. Get strong quads and healthy knees by doing sissy squats, easing in. Advanced: hold self up, low as possible, back up; progress knees closer to ground. Sets of 10-15 with kneecap touching ground: bigger quads, especially rectus femoris (middle quad part sticking out front). Hits rectus femoris preferentially with extended hips. Do after squats/leg presses; seated leg extensions with bent hips don't hit it.
RP Hypertrophy app: dozens pre-made programs 2-6 days/week for shoulders, arms, chest, back, legs, abs, glutes; male/female options; ~$1/day.
Lats under arm, not in back. Head lowered, pull to activate chest? Keep chest up for wider back, contract/hold. Lowering: elbows slightly bent, push pad, lower head. Rhythm.
Flexion row: lean over, curl back at bottom; spinal erectors work, lats leveraged at stretch. Upright rows fine, but less lat stretch/load. Bend forward: lats take more load. Round upper back, lats pull; up: arch back, pull into tummy, raise chest. Engages every back part.
Born with blood disorder, sickle cell anemia. Always very sick as kid, tired of it. Watched black and white TV, Jack LaLanne jumping, wanted to be robust/strong. Started feeling better, educated self, empowered, sense of direction, not dominated.
Jack LaLanne lived to 90s, physically active entire time, invented healthy aging. Fitness saved Robby Robinson. Model of healthy aging. Gym welcomes all ages, genders, races, religions. See you at the gym to improve and be best selves.
When dead for 40 years at 78, hope to be half as jacked as Robby Robinson.
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