You Can’t Build Muscle Over 40 Naturally – True or False? (The Truth about PEDs)

You can’t build muscle over 40? What do you think? Is this statement true or false?

Jeff Cavaliere gives his thoughts on the matter.

Build Muscle Over 40

“It is commonly felt that you can’t build muscle over 40 naturally or without the use of PED’s. In this video, I’m tackling this conception head on. This comes in the form of a question and answer session where we open up our comment section to our viewers to ask their most burning questions. One of the themes that repeatedly comes up is on the subject of how much muscle can be built over the age of 40 naturally.”

“If you listen to most social media influencers, or simply look at their physiques, you may have noticed a trend in the last couple years towards unnatural development. With the great media push of the benefits of testosterone in “replacement” dosages, we have seen a record number of men move towards exogenous forms of T to help them build muscle.”

Source: Photo courtesy of CrossFit Inc.

“In fact, some will have you convinced that it is the only way to build muscle, or even look good, over the age of 40.”

“I couldn’t disagree more.”

“This has been used as a copout on a grand stage, for a reluctance to engage in hard work and consistent effort in training. In fact, the most rampant use of this strategy for building muscle is occurring in an age bracket far below the men in their 40’s. We are talking about kids in their 20’s who are abusing TRT and engaging in PED use in an attempt to speed up the natural process of bodybuilding.”

A Lifelong Natural

“As someone who has pursued my career as a lifelong natural, I find this to be discouraging and a disturbing trend in the wrong direction. Far too many social media influencers are knowingly or unknowingly leading many men, young and old, down the wrong path to fitness and better health.”

Source: Photo courtesy of CrossFit Inc.

PED Smokescreen

“Not to mention, the times that the admission of TRT is actually a mere smokescreen for the things they won’t tell you they are taking are countless. Ever see a guy who wants you to think that the only thing he’s using is some replacement dose of hormones, when he has not only a history of long term PED use but a tendency to be caught up in supplement scams and legal troubles? I’m sure you have, because there are quite a few of them.”

PED’s

“The point is, when PED’s are the first place our young lifters turn when they want to make muscle gains, we have a major issue and it’s one that has been caused unfortunately by the very platforms that have delivered the education to a hard working alternative.”

“‘You can’t build muscle over 40 naturally’ is what they’ll say.”

You Can Build Muscle Over 40

“That is simply not true. There have actually been numerous, well conducted studies that have been done that prove otherwise. The key is a dedicated consistency to the cause.”

Years of Work

“No, I’m not talking about working out and eating right for a few weeks or even months. I’m talking about making sure to have all aspects of your training and nutrition in check and to continue on that path for years and years on end.”

“It’s actually much easier to do when you are following a workout plan that doesn’t break your body down, but makes you feel better or when you are following a nutrition plan that doesn’t rely on starvation and deprivation but on eating in a way that is enjoyable and still progressive in terms of fat loss and muscle building.”

If you look even at the case of a younger guy like Jesse from ATHLEAN-X, you can see what realistic muscle gains can look like. Some have witnessed his body transformation and called the 5 year results amazing. Others have viewed the very same videos and said that he is scrawny and hasn’t made any gains at all. It just goes to show you how distorted the perception of natural progress has become because of the blurred lines that have been created by social media and phony fitness influencers.

Everything Starts in Your Head

“The key to making new gains starts in your head.”

“You need to realize that the degree of muscle growth and fat loss you desire is likely achievable through nothing more than hard work and dedication. It truly is. There are people who walk around right now with the type of body that you may desire, doing nothing more than staying true to their goals and leading the healthiest life possible in the pursuit of them.”

“Does it take more time?”

“Absolutely.”

“They don’t call them performance enhancing drugs for no reason. They will not only speed up the pace of the muscle building results that you can experience but they increase the degree and the amount of them that are possible. But that doesn’t mean that you need to choose that path.”

Video – Build Muscle Over 40

Learn More – Build Muscle Over 40

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How To Design a Program To Grow Huge Biceps

How To Build Bigger Arms Quickly (Sets and Reps Included)

10 Best Exercises for Wider Biceps

100 Push-Ups a Day for 30 Days – What Happens to Your Body?

15 Biceps Exercises Ranked Worst to Best

The Science Behind Light vs Heavy Weights for Muscle Growth

How To Force Muscle Growth – 5 Methods To Accomplish That

Muscles of the Back

The upper back is a complex network of muscles that support movement in your shoulders and pelvis. When these muscles are tight, it can lead to pain and restricted movement in the region. The following article will help you understand what parts of the back are involved with certain movements and how to stretch them properly.

the trapezius

The trapezius is a large, diamond-shaped muscle that extends from the back of the neck to the middle of the upper back. The top half of this muscle connects to the outer sides of your shoulder blades (scapulae), while the bottom half attaches to bone at your neck’s base.

This muscle helps you move your arms and shoulders and also helps you lift your shoulders and straighten your neck.

the deltoid

The deltoid muscle is a shoulder muscle and has three parts. It is located on the shoulder, moving the arm.

The deltoid muscle is made up of three parts: the anterior, lateral and posterior portions of the muscle. Each of these parts has its own function when it comes to tasks like lifting your arm or turning your head to look over your shoulder.

Build Muscle Over 40 – The suboccipital

The suboccipital is a small muscle, located at the back of the neck. It is attached to the back of your skull, and it helps rotate your head from side to side.

In general, you can think of it as two parts: a superficial portion (sometimes called “suboccipitalis major”) that attaches to your skull, and an underlying portion (sometimes called “rectus capitis posterior minor”) that attaches to one or two vertebrae deep in your spine.

Build Muscle Over 40 – The latissimus dorsi

The latissimus dorsi is a large muscle that attaches to the vertebral column and ischial tuberosity. It performs extension, adduction and internal rotation of the arm.

Build Muscle Over 40 – The serratus posterior superior

The serratus posterior superior is a muscle located on the side of your body. It helps with breathing, rotation of the body, and movement of the scapula (shoulder blade).

Build Muscle Over 40 – The rhomboid major and minor

The rhomboid major and minor are located in the upper back. They attach to the spine and work together to retract scapula (pulls shoulder blades back). They also work with trapezius, serratus posterior superior, levator scapulae and rhomboid minor to stabilize shoulder blade during arm movements.

Build Muscle Over 40 – The rotator cuff

The rotator cuff muscles are four small muscles that make up a portion of your shoulder joint. This group is important for keeping the shoulder stable and moving properly, and injury or weakness in any of these muscles can affect how you move your arm. The rotator cuff muscles include:

• Supraspinatus
• Infraspinatus
• Teres minor
• Subscapularis

These muscles support movement in your shoulders and pelvis

The muscles of the back are divided into three different categories: those that support movement, those that stabilize your joints and those that move your arms and legs.

The trapezius is one of the largest muscles in your body, spanning from your neck to just below your shoulder blades. Its job is to help you lift objects off the ground and support weight on your shoulders. It also contributes to movements such as rolling over in bed or raising yourself from a chair. The deltoid serves both as a muscle of movement, helping you raise an arm toward the sky; but it also stabilizes the shoulder joint when doing so (and even helps keep it in place).

Conclusion – Build Muscle Over 40

The muscles of the back are important for posture, movement, and balance. They connect the spine with the shoulders and pelvis, supporting your body’s weight as well as its position in space. When injured or strained from repetitive stress (such as poor posture), these muscles can become strained or injured leading to pain that worsens over time.

So, the answer is a hard yes when it comes to building muscle over 40. It can be done. It simply requires dedication and consistency.