When to Train, Fix Your Back, and Stay Strong & Lean After 40 | Judd Lienhard Q&A

Dec 11, 2025

Discover the best times to train, emphasizing lifestyle over hormones. Uncover why mobility and stability should precede heavy lifting. Learn about chronic lower-back issues and effective corrective strategies. Understand the nuances between conventional and unconventional exercises for optimal strength. Dive into practical tips for fat loss over 40, including stress management and recovery. Explore the advantages of trap-bar deadlifts and the role of lifting belts. Plus, Judd shares his personal definition of success, beyond just fitness.

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ADVICE

Train When It Fits Your Life

Train at the time that fits your lifestyle and preserves sleep quality.
Prioritize consistency over minor hormonal timing differences.

INSIGHT

Popularity ≠ Superiority

Conventional lifts are popular because they are simple to teach and easy to compare across populations.
That doesn't make them inherently superior for all adaptations.

ADVICE

Stabilize Before Adding Mobility

Start back and sciatica rehab with stability before adding mobility and speed.
Use anti-extension core work, glute strengthening, and targeted hip mobility first.

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In this Q&A episode, Judd Lienhard breaks down the real mechanics behind training timing, back pain, mobility, recovery, and the exercises that actually build a stronger, more athletic body after 30, 40, and 50.

Listeners asked Judd about training schedules, sciatica, lower-back tightness, unconventional lifts, posture, belts, trap-bar deadlifts, martial arts, and long-term muscle maintenance—and Judd gives detailed, practical answers rooted in biomechanics, coaching experience, and real-world application.

Topics covered in this episode:

The real best time of day to train (and why hormones matter less than you think)
Sleep quality, stress, and lifestyle as training regulators
Why mobility and stability must come before heavier lifting
What actually causes chronic lower-back tightness—and how to fix it
The role of coiling, rotation, and unconventional training tools
Rows vs. pulldowns for back development
How aging shifts fat-loss and recovery strategies
When lifting belts help—and when they make you weaker
Trap-bar deadlift advantages for posture and biomechanics
How Judd balances martial arts with strength training
What “success” means to Judd beyond training and performance

If you’re trying to train smarter, reduce injury, stay athletic as you age, and understand the principles that truly move the needle, this episode is for you.

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The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits.

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