Today is a great day to get in shape! People think that only twenty-somethings can have those perfect, muscular bodies, but that's not true in the least; more and more people are discovering the fun of bodybuilding over 40. No matter what your age, there are going to be precautions to take to protect yourself.

When looking to get into bodybuilding over 40, you should look at how other people your age are doing it. Look at men and women with your same basic body type and whose fitness goals are similar to your own and use them as your role models. Consider taking a page from their training schedules and workouts. Notice that they start with a gradual workout.

For anyone bodybuilding over 40, you need to remember that your body needs more rest. You're no longer twenty, so your body will need more time to recover from a workout since it's not used to the activity.

A sample program many people have found useful is: target a muscle group for day 1, rest on days 2-3, target a second muscle group on day 4, rest on days 5-6. On day 7 exercise the rest of your body, and take two more days to recover. As your body gets into better shape you'll find yourself able to cut back on your rest days.

Keep your weight small, at first. A lot of young people start with weights that are too heavy their first times out. This is because their bodies can recover from strains, pulls, and muscle bruising more quickly than someone who is bodybuilding over 40. Begin with a very low weight. You want to be able to concentrate on doing the exercise right, not on showing off.

When bodybuilding over 40 you should be doing more reps with light weights. 15 reps are a good place to start. Some experts have suggested that you can begin adding slightly more weight every other cycle while doing fewer reps. It's really up to you to know what your body can and can't handle, and how much rest and recovery it needs. But, eventually, you will be able to add more weight and lower your reps as you get stronger.

In order to prevent getting injuries, you should warm up before you work out. First, stretch, followed by a 5-10 minute cardio routine. Following that you should target the muscle group you intend to concentrate on that day by lifting roughly half your target weight for 10 reps. Perhaps you want to lift 200 pounds this afternoon, so you should lift 100 pounds or less a few times to get those muscles ready.

If you've been injured in the past, remember to protect it. It doesn't matter if it's ten or twenty years old, you should still be careful so you don't re-injure yourself. Talking to your doctor before you begin any exercise regime is a good idea, especially when it concerns those old injuries. He might be able to give you advice on what exercises to avoid, or supply you with a brace.

These are simple tips to help people who are bodybuilding over 40. And if you have more questions or concerns, don't be afraid to ask a certified trainer. They're there to show you how to get the best out of your body. You can also visit my website if you want to find more tips and workouts. Using caution, common sense, and asking questions are the best tools you have to prepare yourself for bodybuilding over 40, and getting you started on the road to fitness.