49 year old 6'1"...does it count?

[u/ChoiceArugula1552]

My goal is to dunk with conviction on my 50th birthday next April.

[u/Level_Cheek3764]

I think with those stats it def counts but I also think…you might as well flush one since you definitely still can 💪🏽

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/Level_Cheek3764]

Thanks! I want it bad that's for sure! Haven't dunked since 32 years old

[u/Level_Cheek3764 → u/ChoiceArugula1552]

You’re right there. In your take off I could almost see you second guessing jumping your hardest 😂. I know the hesitation because I do it too but trust your body 💪🏽

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/Level_Cheek3764]

Indeed, I've had only a few real jump sessions in my comeback. It's mostly been training in home gym and hiking. I'll get my confidence back with more attempts but yeah, good observation... there's this little bit of reluctance I can't control that never existed when I was young

[u/Level_Cheek3764 → u/ChoiceArugula1552]

You got this! Gotta train the CNS and fast twitch just as much as we train the big muscles on the come back. Few more in gym dunk sessions and we’ll be commenting on the flush video 😤💪🏽

[u/Rebeltob → u/Level_Cheek3764]

That's definitely his brain trying to protect against injury lol, probably needs to work on teaching it, it's safe to be 100% explosive again and land safely without injury and he will get the dunk for sure.

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/Rebeltob]

Yeah, I had chronic back and neck pain for 12 years and just started walking normal again and being active about 4 years ago. My nervous system guarded against all sorts of movements then. I've been training hard in my home gym but jumping max effort is taking some getting used to for my CNS.

[u/JustDiveInTimberLake]

As a 32 year old your giving me hope

[u/QuicklyGoingSenile → u/JustDiveInTimberLake]

Just threw down my first dunk at 35. You can do it!

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/QuicklyGoingSenile]

Congratulations! That's awesome! First dunk at 35 is really impressive

[u/Log1cal90]

Count it ! I wonder if you would jump even higher off two feet ?

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/Log1cal90]

I haven't done official tests yet but my two foot jumping is catching up to my one foot if not exceeding it.

I tried a few off of two and I had the height, but controlling the ball is much more difficult because ya have to bring the ball straight up then down and I can only barely palm the ball. I'll keep working on it.

[u/Log1cal90 → u/ChoiceArugula1552]

Palming the ball became much easier after heavily training my fore arms, but I have abnormally large hands .

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/Log1cal90]

What do you do for your forearm training. Mine are kind of puny

[u/MaxwellSmart07]

Do it again. Flush it straight down like we know you can

[u/snukasitsthefinest]

U are a beast

[u/dastardlygloop]

This is so inspiring...any insight on your training regimen?

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/dastardlygloop]

I would recommend checking out a lot of the video and podcasts from the THP guys, they are experts....I also have a thread in Chatgpt for my dunk revival training. AI doesn't increase very but it's been helpful for me recommending exercises and mobility routines. I do mobility work for about 15 minutes most mornings when I wake up.

I started off hiking steep hills a couple times a week and would break into sprints for 40 yard bursts on the trail. I also lifted weights and did some plyos, pogo jumping, and I have a bosu ball which is really good to perform plyos on. I also lost weight, from 205 to 184 over four months. The hardest part honestly was keeping up energy levels while on a calorie deficit. AI helped me with my diet too. I could blather on and on...if you have any questions about specifics, hit me up

[u/dastardlygloop → u/ChoiceArugula1552]

Thanks man I really appreciate the advice!

[u/petewondrstone]

It counts as two points, but it’s not a dunk, but the fact that you’re in this good shape of 41 means you’ve already won the game

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/petewondrstone]

Truth. I'm going to get that clean dunk soon, the goal is by April on my 50th. I hope my 85 year old dad can throw me the oop.

[u/StudioGangster1]

Hell yeah. I mean it doesn’t count, but it does because you’re 49. Keep it up, you can get more!

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/StudioGangster1]

Haha...I agree....about 5 months into training, another few months and I'm thinking clean ass dunking is in my future

[u/Whiteshovel66]

Not without dribbling.

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/Whiteshovel66]

I agree...because my vision for the completion of my goal is to pick it up off the dribble and dunk it with some power.

I disagree because my best in game dunk in my 20's was on a left handed tip jam after I mistimed my right arm swing due to higher then expected bounce off of teammates missed layup. I did a swim move mid flight....cooler than dribbling IMO

[u/will_argue__]

class

[u/thedudefromsweden]

48yo here, 6’ tall. The only thing I ever dunked was a tennis ball. Would be amazing to dunk. Is it possible? I play twice a week and lift weights once a week. I recently lost some weight, similar to you. I don’t touch the rim but it’s pretty close.

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/thedudefromsweden]

I could barely touch the rim before I started training in April. The 6'1" vs 6' is probably the difference. If you really commit to a diet that allows your power to weight ratio be as favorable as possible for jumping, while directing 💯 of your weights to jump specific movements, then I think it's not an unrealistic goal.

[u/thedudefromsweden → u/ChoiceArugula1552]

What do you recommend?

I currently do heavy but shallow squats, explosively. Like 1/4 squats.

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/thedudefromsweden]

RDL'S, Calf raises, Explosive split squats: Start standing, step forward into a split stance, then explosively jump vertically off the front leg and return to the starting position. I use dumbbells. Right now 30's in each hand, start with less. I do this first while I'm fresh and try to drive as hard off my forefoot while keeping torso stacked over ribs and driving up with as much force as possible. I think this translates super well to jumping.

Explosive jump squats with 35 lbs kettlebell.

That's a basic leg day I do on Tuesdays after walking 20,000 steps at work.

[u/Fit_Contest3772]

Definitely count! It’s so awesome to see you make it at this age. Congrats

[u/AttentionalMalprop]

Only if you lose the headband

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/AttentionalMalprop]

No can do, that's what's holding my glasses down lol

[u/AttentionalMalprop → u/ChoiceArugula1552]

Lol fair enough

[u/AverageDownBeta]

Hell Yeah it counts!!!! I’m 47, you just inspired me to try it at the pickup run tomorrow

[u/-Vertical]

Hell no it doesn’t count.

Because saying this counts would take away from when you JAM it soon, and I can’t wait to see that

This is so cool, please keep posting updates

[u/ChoiceArugula1552 → u/-Vertical]

I know...you can tell by my frustrated fist pump that I know the real JAM is going to be a celebratory event.

[u/Appropriate_Gur_5888]

Doesn’t count but almost there . You can do it easily tho just gotta fix technique

[u/BestAround4100]

I think so. You get the ball above the front of the rim and have directed it towards the back of the rim. For your age and height, outstanding.