You’re a bodybuilder somewhere between the ages of 20 and 30. You have the world by the horns. You’re beginning to unlock your potential in the gym, and you’re loving every second of it. Now is the time to make the most of your bodybuilding efforts, because this is the best it’s going to get. Let’s look at some of the advantages you possess now which might not be there forever!

Training availability

If you’re 22 years old, you probably work part-time and maybe go to college. When you’re 42 years old, you probably work 50 weekly hours at your job, and have two kids and a wife to get home to every day after work. Young people have way more time to train than their older counterparts, and should take advantage of this opportunity!

Testosterone levels

Your body’s natural testosterone levels peak when you are 18 years old. From there, you will see a steady decline in weekly testosterone output from 50 mg to single digits as you reach old age. Your levels are very high in your twenties – avoid AAS and take advantage of these levels while you possess them naturally.

Metabolism

Just as with natural testosterone level, your metabolism plummets as you age. Around age 25, you will probably see a drop-off that will continue as you age. Many people have a chiseled 6-pack at age 222 with minimal effort. By age 42, this lack of effort usually results in a pot belly.

Recovery time

You recover much faster from tough workouts when you’re younger, as your immune system and central nervous system have a wealth of resources which lessens as you age. Keep the training as hard and heavy as possible in your early 20s, then go a bit easier on yourself as age sets in. Maintaining consistency is important, but so is giving your body the time it needs to rest.

Muscle group potential

Have you ever seen those men in the gym who are 40 or 45 years old, with a killer set of arms and deltoids, but with very poor leg development? They may try their hardest to grow them, but a sad truth is out there, whether or not they wish to admit it. The progress they make today is very much limited by the amount of attention they gave particular muscle groups in their youth. Address those lagging muscle groups as a youth, or you may never be able to change them when you are older.

Injuries

Unless you were unfortunate enough to sustain a major injury in your high school or college sporting days, you probably have fairly good knee, elbow, and other joints. This will change over time. Even if you are very meticulous in your warm-ups and stretching, you are still going to encounter a graduate erosion of cartilage which will result in the joints giving out with time. Most elderly people experience a surgery or two for joint replacement if they are lucky enough to live that long. Use those joints for the heavy lifting you your twenties while you can still enjoy them, and always employ safe lifting practices.

Young men, the time to embrace the future, and set yourself up for the best possible lifetime gains, is now. Train hard and smart, eat well, and prepare yourself for the limitations in the road that lie ahead.

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