[Matt]

Ditto Matt.
Glad to hear you are still at it.
I can say without hesitation that strength training has helped my game. Pivot is solid and stable, no bobbing or swaying. I can keep up distance-wise with you young guns, and most importantly, no back injuries or strain from a weak core.

When I want to go after it, I don't have to worry. What I do worry about is stopping my workouts and going through the start-up routine again. That is, initial fatigue and muscle soreness for a few weeks. Beyond that, there is just an overall feeling of confidence and well-being that comes with being fit.

Hi Bagger.

I stay at it because I enjoy it. I like being a little stronger and a little fitter than others. For my routine I'm "on" about 7-8 weeks then take a week off - not only for physical recuperation but also mental rest. I come back feeling fresher and am mentally ready to get back at it. I also like working out alone, no only because I get my lifts done quicker (I don't mess around during workouts, I'm there to lift) but also because I've yet to find someone who will go at it as hard as I do.

I structure my workouts around major compound lifts - bench press, deadlifts, squats. I always took it easy on my legs but in the past several months I've gone at it as hard as I can and the results speak for themselves. The gains I've made with squats have been excellent, plus lower body work helps out with everything else. You'll eventually reach a point where you need that lower body work to sustain results in your upper body - your body won't let itself get blown too far out of proportion, even though it's amusing to see such people at the gym.