528 Chama, N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87108
PO Box 51236, Albuquerque, NM 87181-1236
(505) 266-5858    E-Mail:  cncbass@aol.com

http://www.cbass.com

 

 

               

         From The Desk Of Clarence Bass

 
   

 

 

 
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 From The Desk of Clarence Bass
on the following subjects:

 

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83 and Counting

Selected Visitor Comments Below

 

While Clarence is feeling and showing age, he is doing quite well for 83.

Fortunately, we have body composition measurements beginning with those by Lovelace Foundation for Medical Education and Research in August of 1977, at age 39, and continuing to the present with weekly weighing on our Tanita Body Composition scale. We also have a photographic record beginning at 15 and continuing to the present, with the photos below taken as he was turning 83.

Dr. Ulrich C. Luft, MD, and his team at Lovelace weighed Clarence under water and found his gross weight to be just under 156 pounds, with fat 2.4 percent and lean body mass just under 152 pounds. We didn’t understand the significance of this until they informed us that the average fat level for men his age is 16 percent. Top marathon runners are around 6 percent; lean with less muscle.

Moving on 36 years to November, 2013, when Clarence turned 76—and the “inevitable decline” in neuromuscular function is said to begin in earnest for the lifetime trainer. (See Bending the Aging Curve by Professor Joseph F. Signorile, PhD)

The Tanita scale showed Clarence’s body weight to be 143.2, with fat 6%, and muscle 127.8.

His fat percentage moved up, as muscle mass declined a fraction of a pound each year.

While the loss of muscle is substantial, his numbers were still far better than the 16% average fat level for men at 39, and out of the ball park for men over 75, who average 31% fat according to Google.

Clarence’s numbers at 83 are still in the stratosphere: body weight 140, fat unchanged at 6%, and muscle mass down slightly at 125.

*  *  *

We are especially pleased with the strength and muscularity of his hips and thighs, where research tells us strength plummets at 80: https://www.cbass.com/quadstrength.html

He has done reps in the leg press with up to 500 pounds, and is now well on his way to 20 reps with 200 on our newly acquired hip-belt squat machine. The machine counts reps making you hit parallel on every rep. It also records peak power on each set. You're challenged to make progress in every workout--for him twice a month on the Squat machine. He does the back raise, glute-ham raise, leg extension, and leg curl in the off weeks.

*  *  * 

Carol took this photo with her phone during our birthday celebration.

We really like our new Hip-Belt Squat machine; it allows both of us to work the glutes and quads like never before.

 

Abs and quads

 


 

The Bass pose at 83

 

December 1, 2020

 

Visitor Speak Out

 

Stay Golden

Glad to see you in super fine shape Clarence. I look forward to your progress photos every year.
 
500 lb leg press. !!! Nobody does it better - Stay golden!
 

Interest in Hip-Belt Squat

As always you are truly inspirational. I am interested in that Hip - Belt Squat machine.

Keep up your great work please.

Useful Month after Month

Having just read your December entries on your site, I want to congratulate you on continually providing a mine of useful information, month after month.

Remarkable

The pictures of you at 83 are just remarkable. At 'only' 75, I know how hard it is to maintain good body composition let alone the fantastic condition you are in.

Your Footsteps

Just learned you recently turned 83. You have been kind enough to answer a few of my workout-related questions over the last few years, and I just wanted to take a moment to wish you the very best. At 62, I am doing my best to follow in your footsteps.

Stay Clean

Have been training for 45 years and followed your advice from Ripped One to now, because you always wrote the truth also about the use of anabolics, thank you. Stay clean is the message.

*Might* Show First Decline

All in all, it's been amazing what you've done since you were 75, and so-called "inevitable decline" was meant to begin. If anything you've looked a bit thicker and stronger in a number of your yearly photo updates since 75. The photos this year, at 83, are the first that *might* show some very slight loss of thickness around the thighs, tris and delts, but it might just be the light/the photos this time.

Obese at 200!

At this rate, you will be obese by the time you're 200!

More Important Today

I first read your column in Muscle and Fitness in the early 1990’s while in high school. Your column was the first thing I read each month. I’m even more impressed by you now then I was back then. You are proving that exercise is the best medicine. The thing I admire the most about you is your consistency. Most people can follow a fitness lifestyle for a few months or a few years, but you have made it a permanent part of who you are. Your message is even more important today because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you for sharing your incredible life story with the world!

The Bible Speaks

You are one-of-a-kind. You have created a case study of your lifestyle and share insightful research information about health studies which has helped many understand an alternative option to living a healthy physical life.

Unfortunately, there is a flip side to sharing your successes to help others. I have shared your website to many people and they dismiss it as an anomaly.

I think I can appreciate your accomplishments and information because I am seeing the benefits in my physical life and I enjoyed reading research information. As a psychology graduate, I am used to it. As an artist, I can appreciate the symmetry of the human body and like to draw the skeletal structure as well. As a Christian, I can see God’s image in us. The Bible speaks about us being “fearfully and wonderfully” made.

Greetings from the UK

It was great to see your update at 83 - incredibly inspiring but also refreshingly honest. I am sure that the comments that you receive are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the people you have influenced and encouraged over the years.

Belt Squat Experience

I was excited to see that you endorse belt squats. I stumbled onto the belt squat about a year and half ago after I aggravated an old lumber disc injury when I stupidly attempted and failed at a 510lb single rep hex bar deadlift. After looking at the MRI, and having me ask when I could return to hex bar deadlifts, my chiropractor said, “you can do whatever doesn’t hurt but, if you want my advice, I’d prefer that you never load the lumbar again.”

Belt squats have been my lower body savior. I am using a Spud Inc belt and Hog Legs collar on a Land Mine. To get adequate squat depth and to keep from having to start from the bottom of the lift, I built myself a pair of 9” high platform blocks to stand on. In between them I mounted a retractable jack stand which, at max extension serves as a rack for the bar. I release and re-extend the jack with a pair of cords that I keep clipped to the belt. It works well.

Again, thanks for the inspiration and wealth of knowledge over the years. You have made a real difference in the lives of countless people, me included.

Posing Trunks at 83

You are unique in your willingness to share with the world what you look like in posing trunks at age 83! I think it’s impressive, courageous and encouraging, all at the same time.

Looking Ahead to 84

What a truly inspiring piece. I have been following you for years and own all of your books. So I was delighted to read the article on your outstanding health and fitness at 83.

While my exercise modality is body weight (I shifted from lifting weights a few years ago) I apply your principles regarding exercise, rest and diet. As a result, at my 66 years of age I feel and look great and am starting to see that widening gap you mention between myself and others my same age.

I can only wish at 83 I’ll be close to where you are today. What you are doing year after year is proving that it can be done, inspiring me and many others to continue to run the good race, fight the good fight towards health and fitness.

Thank you for your contributions over many years to fitness and health. For selfish reasons, I hope you continue for many more.

Congratulations… and I’m looking forward seeing your photos at 84!
 

January 1, 2021

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Ripped Enterprises, P.O. Box 51236, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-1236
 or street address: 528 Chama, N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108,
 Phone  (505) 266-5858 , e-mail: cncbass@aol.com ,
 Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8-5, Mountain time

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