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Learning to lift - Alister🏋🏻‍♂️💪🏻

@learning.2.lift

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40 | Hampshire | Full-time job | Turning aches into strength with weights & workouts. Workouts from home.
Following like-minded people.

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2020 vs 2025 what am I doing wrong?

Same guy, same 15 kg dumbbells, same “I’ll get serious next Monday” energy. Shorter hair!

Progress?

Sometimes the win isn’t a crazy transformation.

Sometimes the win is just not going backwards when approaching 40.

If you’re also stuck in the “5 years = 5 kg progress” club… you’re not alone.

Let’s fix that together this time.

Drop a 🙋‍♂️ if this mirror feels familiar.

#fitnessover40 #40andfit #mastersfitness #over40fitness #dadbodfitness #liftingat40 #fitnessjourney #realisticfitness #noquickfixes #consistencyoverintensity #slowprogressisstillprogress #gymmotivation #weightlifting #strengthtraining by @learning.2.lift

Officially 40 today. 🥳

The good news: wiser, stronger, calmer.

The bad news: shoulders now complain about everything I did in my 20s and 30s.

So instead of crying about it, I’m sharing the 4 shoulder exercises I actually do.

Single arm shoulder press
Front raise pull and push
Snatch
Around the world

Do these consistently and your shoulders will stay mobile and strong.

Here’s to getting stronger with age, not slower.
Drop a 🎉 if you’re celebrating a milestone birthday soon too.

#over40fitness #fitnessover40 #shoulderworkout #40andfit #strengthtraining

learning.2.lift 🏋️‍♂️🎂 by @learning.2.lift

🚨 A PUBLIC APOLOGY 🚨

It's recently been brought to my attention that I post far too many topless pictures of myself.

I've taken some time to reflect, consider the feelings of those affected, and think about how I can do better.

After some serious soul-searching, I've come to a decision...

I'm going to carry on doing exactly the same thing. 😂

All jokes aside, I'm a bloke in my 40s who's enjoying getting fitter, feeling stronger and documenting the journey.

I'm not a fitness model. I'm not trying to impress anyone. I'm just proud of the effort I'm putting in.

And if that's inspired even one other bloke my age to get moving, then it's worth sharing.

But don't worry, I'll try to keep the topless pictures to a minimum...

No promises though. 😘

#FitnessOver40 #GymHumour #FitnessJourney #MensFitness #LearningToLift by @learning.2.lift

Apparently, muscles don't come with a lower handicap. 🏌️‍♂️😂

All those workouts. All that core training. All those hours trying to get stronger...

And somehow I'm still capable of making a golf ball question every life decision I've ever made.

The goal is to get fitter, stronger AND improve my golf game.

At least one of those is going to plan. 💪😂

Anyone else convinced their gym gains should have taken a few shots off their handicap by now?

#GolfFitness #GolfHumour #FitnessOver40 #GolfLife #LearningToLift by @learning.2.lift

The sigh at the end says it all… 😮‍💨😂

Some mornings, the motivation just isn't there.

Woke up tired, wasn't particularly feeling a workout, and could've quite happily given it a miss.

But I got up, got moving, and got it done. 💪

Was it my best session? Probably not. Did I feel amazing throughout? Definitely not.

But that's the thing I'm learning about fitness in my 40s. Not every workout needs to be a personal best. Sometimes it's just about showing up, putting in the work, and being glad you did afterwards.

And judging by that sigh at the end, I was VERY glad it was over. 😂

Anyone else have mornings where the hardest rep is getting started?

#FitnessOver40 #WorkoutMotivation #FitnessJourney #HomeWorkout #ConsistencyOverMotivation by @learning.2.lift

I nearly talked myself out of this one… 🥵💪

You know those days when you pick up the first dumbbell and immediately realise it's going to be a struggle?

Yep. This was one of them. 😂

Energy was low, motivation wasn't much better, but I wanted to get a session in.

So I challenged myself to six different biceps curl variations:

💪 Standard dumbbell curls
💪 Alternating hammer curls
💪 T curls
💪 Reverse grip curls
💪 Single dumbbell narrow curls
💪 Cross-body curls

Same muscle group, different grips and angles. A great way to add some variety to your training.

Was it my strongest session? Absolutely not.

Am I glad I did it? Definitely.

Some days it's about making progress. Other days it's about showing up and doing what you can.

👇 Which curl variation is your favourite? I'm always looking for new ones to try!

#BicepsWorkout #FitnessOver40 #DumbbellWorkout #GymMotivation #FitnessJourney by @learning.2.lift

Yesterday's run left my legs feeling it today! 🏃‍♂️

But that didn't mean I had to spend the day sitting still.

A gentle 2-mile walk, some fresh air, and all of this to see along the way. 🌿🐑

A little reminder that being active doesn't always have to mean pushing yourself. Sometimes slowing down and enjoying the surroundings is exactly what you need.

What's your favourite way to stay moving on a recovery day?

#ActiveRecovery #WalkingForWellbeing #FitnessJourney #LearningInPublic #StayActive by @learning.2.lift

There's always something getting in the way of progress. 🌳

Sometimes it's motivation. Sometimes it's finding the time. And sometimes it's quite literally a tree blocking your morning run! 😂

Today's reminder: progress isn't always a straight line. Sometimes you've just got to find another way through.

What's the most unexpected thing that's interrupted your workout?

#LearningInPublic #RunningMotivation #FitnessJourney #KeepMoving #MorningRun by @learning.2.lift

Work in progress: lured my friend into starring as a runner while I tested some film and photography ideas for content creation. (Thanks bud, a legend as always!)

We had this time logged in the diary for a while and couldn’t have picked a better day for a beach run, a long catch up and cold dip and sauna in between. Stunner of a day on the south coast.

I took these photos on my phone before editing them in Lightroom.

#beachrun #runningphotos #outdoorlifestyle #creativedirection #visualstorytelling by @learning.2.lift

8 hours at a desk. How much are we actually moving? 💻🚶‍♂️

Working at a desk all day makes it surprisingly easy to go hours without moving much.

I'm quite active outside work, whether that's lifting weights, playing golf or getting out on the water. But I've realised that having an active hobby doesn't necessarily mean I'm moving enough throughout the working day.

And it's not always about getting another workout in. Sometimes it's just about breaking up those long periods of sitting.

Here are 3 simple things I'm trying to do more often:

🚶 1. Take movement breaks

Every 30–60 minutes, get up and move around for a couple of minutes. Make a drink, walk around the house or simply stretch your legs. It all helps break up the time spent sitting.

☀️ 2. Get outside during lunch

Even a 10–15 minute walk can help clear your head, boost your mood and get you away from the screen. Fresh air is a bonus!

💪 3. Add movement to your everyday routine

Take calls standing up, do a few bodyweight squats while waiting for the kettle or walk somewhere instead of driving when practical. Small opportunities add up.

I'm learning that being healthier isn't just about the time spent exercising. It's also about what we do during the rest of the day.

What's one thing you do to keep moving during your working day? 👇

#DeskJobFitness #MoveMore #HealthyHabits #FitnessJourney #EverydayMovement by @learning.2.lift

Welcome to my gym! 💪🏠

No expensive machines, no fancy equipment, and definitely no waiting around for someone to finish their set.

Just a few dumbbells, kettlebells, a bench and a bit of space at home.

I've been learning that you really don't need a fully equipped gym to make progress. You just need to make the most of what you've got.

One thing I've found particularly useful is progressive overload. Even with limited equipment, you can keep challenging yourself by adding reps, increasing weight, slowing down your movements or improving your technique.

It's not about having the perfect setup. It's about finding something that works for you and sticking with it.

I'm still learning, still experimenting with exercises and still working towards my goals. But that's half the fun.

Swipe to see where the work gets done 👉

💬 Anyone else training at home? What's the one bit of equipment you couldn't do without?

#HomeGym #HomeWorkout #StrengthTraining #FitnessJourney #ProgressiveOverload by @learning.2.lift

One reason I train that has nothing to do with looking better… ⛳️

I want my body to keep letting me do the things I enjoy.

I’ve had problems with my back in the past, and it’s made me realise that fitness for me isn’t just about gaining muscle or losing a few pounds.

It’s about being stronger. Moving better. Feeling more confident in what my body can do.

And sometimes, it’s about being able to stand at a driving range and repeatedly hit golf balls into places I can’t find them. 😂

The golf swing definitely needs practice.

But so does everything else.

Getting stronger. Moving better. Looking after yourself. Actually sticking with it.

I’m still learning all of it — one session at a time.

What’s something outside the gym that you want your training to help you keep doing?

#GolfSwing #GolfRehab #GolfFitness #StrengthTraining #HealthyLifestyle by @learning.2.lift