This is my feeling as well. When cals are starting to low I would typically switch to a lighter weight more volume approach to condition the muscles.
2 Likes
I’ve heard this be recommended before and I wont say I disagree with it…
I’ve also heard that keeping intensity the same and lowering volume is an equivalent priority for retaining muscle.
I cannot say which is correct. Right now, my coach is fine with me continuing as planned. This is some of the lowest volume HIT I’ve ever done.
Check in
Scale is still up at 195 but it’s trending downwards a bit now. HRV is improving but still needs a lot to go.
The rest days were nice to have but I’m ready to get back at it.
7 Likes
Do you have posing trunks yet?
Do you have any color preference? Black is always a good option. If anyone takes black and white photos any blue that isn’t dark blue will look like a light grey.
1 Like
No, i need to start looking.
Was thinking something with a bit of a V taper on top to help make my waist look smaller.
Black always would have been my color of choice.
I hadn’t checked in on your log in months, but dude you have improved so massively!!
3 Likes
Thanks, brother.
Now i just gotta keep it going!
2 Likes
Push+Quads (Chest focus)
Tuesday, Sep 30, 2025 at 11:57am
Chest Press (Machine)
Set 1: 275 lbs x 8 [Failure]
Set 2: 225 lbs x 10 [Failure]
Meadows Lateral Raise Partials
Set 1: 45 lbs x 17
Set 2: 45 lbs x 11 [Failure]
Cable Fly Crossovers
Set 1: 50 lbs x 11 [Failure]
Set 2: 42.5 lbs x 7 [Failure]
Triceps Pushdown
Set 1: 72 lbs x 25 [Failure]
Set 2: 72 lbs x 11 [Failure]
Set 3: 72 lbs x 6 [Failure]
Leg Extension (Machine)
Set 1: 75 lbs x 14 [Failure]
Set 2: 75 lbs x 9 [Failure]
@hevyapp
2 Likes
50mins fasted cardio
Pull+Hams (Width)
Wednesday, Oct 01, 2025 at 11:21am
Lat Pulldown (Cable)
Set 1: 220 lbs x 13 [Failure]
Set 2: 180 lbs x 10 [Failure]
Straight Arm Lat Pulldown (Cable)
Set 1: 70 lbs x 9 [Failure]
Set 2: 55 lbs x 10 [Failure]
Shrug (Smith Machine)
“Pre exhaust, 2x fail”
Set 1: 315 lbs x 15
Set 2: 275 lbs x 17 [Failure]
Set 3: 0 lbs x 0
Preacher Curl (Barbell)
Set 1: 75 lbs x 15 [Failure]
Set 2: 75 lbs x 11 [Failure]
Lying Leg Curl (Machine)
Set 1: 150 lbs x 15
Set 2: 150 lbs x 13 [Failure]
Set 3: 150 lbs x 7 [Failure]
@hevyapp
So I’m supposed to be on stage in 3 weeks. I wouldnt be able to bring a good package to stage if i stuck to that plan.
New plan is to push for a show in early Dec.
If im not stage ready by then, there wont be any more shows for this year, meaning id have to re-up on my NPC card. Honestly, thats not worth it for me.
In either case, whether stage ready or not, I’m going to be peeled before this year is over, and I’ll be reverse dieting into a slow steady bulk for a long growing phase. I’ll have accomplished what i wanted no matter what.
But in more promising news, the scale dropped to 193.3lbs this morning so the odd uptick in scale weight is getting resolved.
8 Likes
50mins fasted cardio
Push+Quads (Delt focus)
Friday, Oct 03, 2025 at 11:10am
Meadows Lateral Raise Partials
Set 1: 45 lbs x 15
Set 2: 45 lbs x 14 [Failure]
Viking Press
Set 1: 95 lbs x 15
Set 2: 95 lbs x 16 [Failure]
Pendulum Squat (Machine)
“Stop early, hams tweaked”
Set 1: 185 lbs x 13 [Failure]
Set 2: 0 lbs x 7 [Failure]
Butterfly (Pec Deck)
Set 1: 175 lbs x 15
Set 2: 175 lbs x 12 [Failure]
Triceps Pushdown
“Rest-Pause 30-40”
Set 1: 72.5 lbs x 23 [Failure]
Set 2: 72.5 lbs x 13 [Failure]
Set 3: 72.5 lbs x 9 [Failure]
@hevyapp
All business today.
6 Likes
Have you worked on any 3/4 back poses? It helps to show thickness in the back muscles.
Post a 3/4 back pose when you get one you like.
Umm no. IDK what those even are.
Outside of quarter turns and mandatories, I dont know any other poses honestly. Sounds like I have some more reading to do.
1 Like
One of Arnold’s signature poses is a 3/4 back. He stands to the side with his front leg forward and his back leg behind. He bends a little at the waist and twists while doing a double biceps.
The pose that I got the most applause was me facing to the side and kneel on the back knee and twist into a double biceps. I have posted that numerous times.
Another twisting pose shows serratus muscles along with the abs. This one you are facing to the side and twist to show serratus and abs.
3 Likes
50mins fasted cardio
Push+Quads (Chest focus)
Tuesday, Oct 07, 2025 at 11:44am
Chest Press (Machine)
Set 1: 275 lbs x 10 [Failure]
Set 2: 225 lbs x 9 [Failure]
Meadows Lateral Raise Partials
Set 1: 45 lbs x 14 [Failure]
Set 2: 45 lbs x 11 [Failure]
Cable Fly Crossovers
Set 1: 42.5 lbs x 15 [Failure]
Set 2: 42.5 lbs x 7 [Failure]
Triceps Pushdown
Set 1: 80 lbs x 22 [Failure]
Set 2: 80 lbs x 10 [Failure]
Set 3: 80 lbs x 8 [Failure]
Leg Extension (Machine)
Set 1: 75 lbs x 14 [Failure]
Set 2: 75 lbs x 9 [Failure]
@hevyapp
Accountability time.
I slipped up this weekend. Missed a workout and skipped a check in.
I’m feeling like all the effort I’m putting in is wasted because I’m not seeing the scale improve at all. Feel like I’m stalling.
Need to stop thinking and just do.
7 Likes
Is your reta dosage the same?
Yes. I asked coach if we could bump reta because hunger was coming back pretty hard and he said no 
2 Likes
Reading your log and then reading @davemccright shows how it’s possible to have a great physique with totally different styles of training. Your push (chest focused workout) has 2 chest exercises with 2 sets each. Dave’s has about 5 exercises with more sets than I can count. Not favouring one approach just making an observation. In a world where everyone seems to be worried about what is optimal or the ‘right’ way to train. You two show that all roads lead to Rome. As long as your discipline and effort are on point.
Keep pushing hard Andrew.
9 Likes
So I was talking to a bunch of dudes and we’ve all pretty much come up with the same conclusion.
All the biggest dudes we know train the same. They show up with no plan, no notebook, no program, they lift heavy ass weights, they go home and eat healthy food, and they dont let themselves get too fat or too lean.
We (myself included) spend so much time trying to quantify ‘optimal’ that we stay small.
Just lift heavy shit frequently and recover well, and you’ll probably be huge.
Of course, I’m saying this to the dude that trains Strongman, which is notorious for no program whatsoever and has monsters competing in it. So you know all this 
8 Likes
Yep. The only real magic is the component of time. There is a reason there are a lot of big, strong old dudes in every gym. Its just because they have been lifting heavy stuff for years.
7 Likes