The former world-ranked professional run-and-bike athlete, Paul Sklar, may have turned 54. But he maintains an incredibly jacked physique even at this age, with over thirty years of working out in a consistent manner.

The fact that Sklar is also a certified strength coach and an exercise physiologist has helped him plan a uniform, year-round schedule that enables him to flaunt his toned physique with a six-pack. An Instagram update from Men's Active on June 17 disclosed the core principle of the workout behind his enviable build.

"He [Sklar] does not bulk, he does not cut, he trains to stay in shape year-round. No swelling up in winter and stripping down for summer, no extreme phases at all," said the text in the video. "He stays within touching distance of his condition every single week, which means he never has far to travel back. The endurance years gave him the engine. The consistency built the muscle on top of it."

Many who want to build an appreciable physique often follow the bulk and cut approach, which is exactly what Sklar has stayed away from, and the results are in front of the world.

The bulk and cut approach comprises two phases. First comes the bulking phase, where individuals maintain a calorie-surplus diet with higher carb and fat content to help the body build more muscle mass. Subsequently, the cutting phase involves consuming a calorie-deficient diet to shed body fat while maintaining muscle mass.

However, Sklar detests this approach, staying within touching distance of his peak shape throughout the year, with no bulking or cutting phases. He calls it the only visible approach that can help men maintain a stature like his in their 50s.

Being a certified exercise physiologist, Sklar also knows where most go wrong.

Paul Sklar clarifies over-40 men's misconceptions about building their physique

Sklar highlighted a basic misconception among men over 40 that propels them to try out different methods to build their physique instead of being consistent. During an interview with Men's Health in 2021, he stated that many believe that they "can't build muscle, [once they are] over 40."

Sklar debunked this notion, mentioning that building muscles above 40 takes a longer span of commitment and a planned approach. He also highlighted the common mistake that most make.

"They probably try to do too much too soon. They try to go from A to Z without actually taking the proper steps to get there."

The 54-year-old also discussed how several men don't possess a proper vision of the kind of physique that they want to construct.

"I think most guys don't really understand what it actually takes to really, truly change your physique. And most of them will either work the bare minimum and think it's going to happen, or they’ll just go off the wall," said Sklar. "They try to train the way they did in their 20s. And that doesn't really work well when you get into your late 30s and early 40s and beyond."

Well, comparing these misconceptions to the results that Sklar's approach has shown on his physique clearly depicts how effective his no-bulk, no-cut training method is.

So, now that you know how Sklar's consistency has contributed to his jacked physique, will you also try out the same method?

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Written by

Souvik Roy

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi