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The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter, Issue #360. Favorite Workouts
November 15, 2023
Hi

Favorite
Workouts

Alternating push-pull exercises, commonly called “‘supersetting,” is my favorite type of exercise format. You work opposing muscle groups, back-to-back. And your age doesn’t matter. The concept is the same, regardless.

Push-pull supersetting is efficient because the muscles used for pushing are resting while those used for pulling are working. And vice versa.

For example, let’s say you want to work your arms using the push-pull protocol. The pushing exercise might be triceps extensions; the pull could be a biceps curl. You would do the triceps extensions right after doing the biceps curl.

The number of sets you do is an individual matter. Select the number in accordance with experience and/or age. You could be doing just one set of each exercise, or two, three, or even more.

There’s no need to rush with push-pull. But don’t dawdle either. Develop a rhythm and keep it going. If you’re doing three sets or more of each exercise, rest a couple of minutes between body parts. If you’re doing only one or two sets, move on to the next grouping without much pause.

Here’s a sample of how a total-body push-pull workout of supersets might look. After a brief warm-up, you’d begin. For the push, you’d do an overhead press; immediately followed by the pull, a lat pulldown. If you’re doing more than one set, you’d repeat the press and pulldown, back and forth, according to the number of sets you decide on.

Shoulders & Upper Back

  • Overhead press
  • Lat Machine pulldown

Chest & Back

  • Bench Press or Push-ups
  • 1-arm Rowing

Arms

  • Curl
  • Triceps Extensions

Abdominals & Low Back

  • Crunches
  • Back Extensions

Quadriceps/Hamstrings

  • Squats or Leg Press
  • Straight legs Dead Lift or Leg Curl

Then do one set each of a neck exercise and a calf exercise, followed by some relaxed stretching and you’re finished.

Push-pull supersets are used by both bodybuilders (they love the “pump”) and all-around physical fitness trainees. And age is not a factor. Push-pull supersets workouts are a very efficient way to train.

Traditionally, the exercises are done with free weights. However, health club exercise machines or at-home resistance bands work well too. To find more about supersets, go here.

Stay healthy. Stay fit.

Logan

Senior Exercise Central


Photographs: Subscribers have asked when the newsletter photo at the top of the page and my website pictures were taken. Well, I was a mere 70 years old then. I’m 87 now. Though I remain active, I am no longer nearly as strong or muscular as I was 17 years ago. —LF

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Newsletter Policy

The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter is a free publication sent twice monthly to subscribers. The purpose is to provide honest and realistic fitness information for people age 50 and above.

I have never been paid or received compensation of any kind to write a positive review or endorse a product. If I say that I personally use a product or service, it is because I find value in it and have paid for it with my own money.

Like newspapers, magazines, and television, this newsletter and my website contain advertising and marketing links. Naturally, I am compensated for these.

The newsletter and website provide information to help users establish and maintain a fitness lifestyle. But fitness information is not the same as fitness advice, which is the application of exercise and dietary practices to an individual's specific circumstances. Therefore, always consult with your physician for assurance that fitness information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate for you.

Your comments and questions are always appreciated. Simply click on the "Reply" bottom.

Sincerely,

Logan Franklin
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter
www.senior-exercise-central.com


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