old and stiff

Looks like it's hitting some retail stores with limited stock. Chesty's are getting expensive...wonder how long it'll take before they start pushing $1,000 USD https://www.crowssports.com/collections/senior-chest-protectors/products/brians-optik-3-senior-chest-protector

I'm new to TGN, definitely not young as my username suggests. I'm getting back into skating after 7 years off (after playing on/off for 5, preceded by a 10 year hiatus). I saw this thread and wanted to jump in. I'm 43 with a herniated disc from years of olympic lifting & crossfit, after my college playing days were over. I recommend Yoga as a way to keep everything pretty aligned and muscles loose, but there's different types- Vinyasa flows from one movement to the next and is a bit more of a workout. I've done that and Hatha, and found Hatha better for what I wanted- it focuses more on alignment, stretching, and core strength which I felt was better as a therapeutic way to keep skating. I just got a little bored with it, and if anyone finds they're feeling similar, pilates is great alternative too. I started going to Lagree (it's like pilates on steroids) and it kicks your ass. I can go 2x, maybe 3x per week. It's a lot of very slow movement and isometric holds so you actually can build some leg strength along with building a rock solid core. Just my $0.02 if anyone is interested in looking for weightlifting alternatives because of wear and tear

I'm looking forward to this hitting the market. I'll be in the market for a new chesty, and will probably get either a Bauer mach, hyperlite, or this. I loved how beefy the optik 2 was while also having pretty decent mobility, but didn't love how the side rib pillow made the unit flare out. I'd guess they modified that area on the optik 3. There also look like loops hanging at the bottom of the shoulder floaters, maybe they'll link into the pants. Does anyone know if the optik2 used Bri-core? I really wanted to like the optik 2 pant- again, really well made and beefy per usual with Brian's. But the pants felt really uncomfortable when I would bend over to tie my skates and put my pads on. Protection didn't seem like it would ever be an issue, just couldn't get comfortable.