[Ididntdothis]

Just remember that the gains will stop after a while if you don’t start taking steroids or something. People seem to have difficulty finding a stable workout routine they enjoy without improvements. Otherwise lifting is good but watch for form and don’t ignore nagging injuries.

[hermitdev]

I can attest to this. In my mid 20s, I used to hit the gym for 2-3 hours M-F (50/50 cardio and weights per day) and then biking for 5-6 hours over the weekend.

The exercise was a great stress relief for me, and I went from 165 lbs to about 215 lbs over 3 years, all lean muscle mass. Felt great. Was biking thousands of miles per year, running about 4:30 mile on the treadmill, and squatting 2x my bodyweight. I had a resting heart rate of around 45 bmp.

Then, I got hit by a car while on my bike (guy ran a stop sign and and clipped my rear wheel and seat stay). Destroyed my bike; the carbon fiber frame was cracked, carbon pedals ruined and my handle bars were messed up. I also racked up $20k in ER bills that his insurance paid. I dont know how much the X-ray, MRI and orthopaedic visits cost (his insurance had accepted responsibility at that point, and I never saw a bill). I didnt break any bones, but strained almost all ligaments in both knees. The accident knocked me off my workout schedule for 2 months while I recovered. Despite my best efforts, I was never able to reestablish my routine. I now weigh less than when I graduated high school at nearly 40. And, to boot, I suffer from arthritis now and exercising is near impossible for me now without great risk of being laid up in bed with a severe pinched nerve.

[audiometry]

I do not believe this is true. Perhaps if you are an elite international-level competitor in your 20-30s or something. But otherwise, no. I consistently add several kg to my powerlifts each year for the past 5+ and I’m late middle age. I don’t see any signs of this changing, in fact the more I’ve trained the smarter I’ve gotten about things, so I have fewer injuries etc, so even more effective progress. Buts it’s a hugely tiny incremental grind to get this. Probably impatient people get dismayed and stop. Fortunately it appeals to my personality so I stick with it.

[fearingreprisal]

Huh? What part of that is supported by any kind of evidence? You can lift for many years and keep improving consistently if you stick to a good regimen. I also have a great routine that I stick to consistently and enjoy immensely, you're speaking for yourself.

[garmaine]

How old are you?

[Ididntdothis]

How long have you been lifting? How old are you? How much do you weigh? I have never seen anybody who didn’t plateau. Either you haven’t been doing this for long or you aren’t training hard.

[brandonmenc]

> Just remember that the gains will stop after a while if you don’t start taking steroids or something.

Just about everyone - even people who think they train seriously - will never, ever reach this point.

[Ididntdothis]

You just keep gaining?

[brandonmenc]

Gains are asymptotic so the returns are diminishing, but most people - i.e., everyone not competing in bodybuilding - will not hit their "natty ceiling" before they hit old age.

Just ride the slow and steady gain train until you actually need medically prescribed TRT.

[Gigablah]

You plateau, but well before the stage where steroids are needed to progress.

[jriot]

You're going to have to lift for many years before that happens. I went from 165 lbs to 235 lbs over 4 - 5 years, and ended up having a powerlifting total of 1,405 lbs. I didn't even use supplements, just good old fashion whole foods. I am not at my peak yet (34 years old), the gains will come slower but they will come.