I actually am doing less cardio than I use to if you can beleive that. Sure I could’ve gained 20 or even 30 lbs in that time but how much of it would be quality weight? I would say a small percentage of it.
Are you implying cardio has anything to do with gaining quality weight? Maybe I misunderstand. But frankly I find that cardio is good for keeping your weight down, but poor for maintaining muscle mass. Cardio eats up muscle as well as fat. The longer your cardio session lasts, the more you force your body to eat up muscle tissue.
If you’re questioning whether 20 lean pounds in 5 months is feasible, it definitely is, and I don’t even think it requires a huge amount of effort. Especially for an 18 year old. 30 lbs is possible with an acceptable amount of fat gain. Your problem is actually too much effort. Cut out the cardio, and it’ll be easier to keep in caloric surplus. Heck, maybe you’ll even have more time to sleep, or lift weights, or do something else that makes you grow, rather than shrink.
By all means, pick up the cardio again when you don’t want to get any bigger. You’re not there yet.[/quote]
OK you win. I’d be surprised if I could gain that kind of weight in 5 monthes but I guess we’ll see. Cardio has stopped at least for the time being.
So, you think I’m doing too much? I just didn’t want to get too sloppy and judging by the pics that’s what I did. I think I need cardio but maybe I’m wrong. Anyway, I appreciate the advice.
Animal,
I think both of these guys are much further along than I, but as an example, I started BBB in November of last year. Since then I’ve worked through ABBH 1 and 2 and am now doing TBT - so pretty parallel to your path. Historically I have been a hard gainer although I think my metabolism has slowed a little in my 30’s.
I started at 172 and am now 208. Body fat is similar, up 1 or 2% - maybe 13-14% now. I did basically zero cardio through this period, knowing that I’ve had a hard time gaining in the past. Diet is relatively clean and around 3000 calories/day. I also used Carbolin 19 and think it has made a difference.
I enjoy your log and dedication - like the others I have been wondering about volume of cardio and other physical work and whether you would gain more without it. Consider cutting it out for 12 weeks and see what happens, at worst you can put it back. Hope this helps.
Drew
[/quote]
You’re right. What’s the worst that can happen right?
Your results are awesome. Thanks for sharing. How old are you?
[quote]DemiAjax wrote:
I’m kind of in agreement with the previous posters. You’re young enough that you shouldn’t have to do that much cardio to stay lean. I’m 19, and I’ve gained about 30 pounds (~170 to ~200) since last August and I’ve basically controlled my bodyfat by cleaning up my diet and eating a little less when I feel bloated. If you’re working hard enough during lifting, your body should be using most of those calories even if you take in a surplus. Cut the cardio, step up the intensity. I know that, with my current lifting intensity, if I did that much cardio without at least 1 or 2 off days I’d be run down. [/quote]
To be honest, I do feel run down. I just thought that was how it was supposed to be I guess. I think I need a hobby or something. Going to the gym is basically what I do and what I idenitfy myself with.
-A Back Squats 3 x 12 @ 195lbs with 75 second rest intrevals. Completed successfully. Last Time: 80 second rest intrevals
-B Bent over Rows 3 x 12 @ 100lbs with 75 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully. Last Time: 80 second rest intrevals
-C Flat Bench Presses 3 x 12 @ 140lbs with 75 second rest inrevals. See Comments. Last Time: 80 second rest intrevals
-D Seated Calf Raises 3 x 12 @ 100lbs with 85 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully. Last Time: 90 second rest intrevals
-E Triceps Press-Downs 3 x 12 @ 150lbs with 75 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully. Last Time: 80 second rest intrevals
-F External Rotations 3 x 12 @ 10lbs with 75 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully. Last Time: 80 second rest intrevals
Duration: 1 hour 5 minutes
-About 15 minutes worth of sprints and posture work at home
Comments:
This workout was so easy it was scary. When I first started this program I was huffing and puffing with 90 second rest intrevals between the squats. I feel great. Anything other than that has prbably already been said. In other news, I got my SAT scores back today. I did OK (1930)
[quote]El_Animal wrote:
I’d be surprised if I could gain that kind of weight in 5 monthes but I guess we’ll see. Cardio has stopped at least for the time being.[/quote]
You can do it. 20 lbs heavier by October. Maybe 30.
[quote]El_Animal wrote:
drewmoore867 wrote:
El Animal wrote:
Your results are awesome. Thanks for sharing. How old are you?
[/quote]
I’ll be 35 in September. I have a distinct advantage over you - I have two little ‘hobbies’ at home that take up a lot of my time - my daughter and son. Gym efficiency is the name of the game for me.
I think your results will meet or exceed mine if you find the right groove. Good luck - have fun!
-A1 Barbell Hack Squats 7 x 6 @ 225lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before A2. Completed successfully. Last Time: 6 sets
-A2 Standing DB Hammer Curls 7 x 6 @ 80lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before A1. Completed successfully. Last Time: 6 sets
-B1 DB Hang Cleans 7 x 6 @ 100lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before B2. Completed successfully. Last Time: 6 sets
-B2 Skullcrushers 7 x 6 @ 80lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before B1. Completed successfully. Last Time: 6 sets
-C1 Incline Bench Presses 7 x 6 @ 145lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before C2. Completed successfully. Last Time: 6 sets
-C2 Standing Cable Crunches 7 x 6 @ 140lbs with 75 second rest intrevals before C1. Completed successfully. Last Time: 6 sets
-Stretches
Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes
-About 15 minutes worth of sprints and posture work at home
Comments:
Well, I was nice and rested for this workout. Also, it is the final AoW workout so I will be starting PFM for 4 weeks until summer. Today was one of those days where there were a bunch of idiots in the gym. A few ghetto gangsters came in, put 225 on the bench press, literally lower it about 2 inches, and creamed as they pressed. The rest of the time they talked. Thank god they don’t have the discipline to be back next week.
-A1 Barbell Bench Presses 5 second hold @ 250lbs with 75 seconds rest before A2.
-A2 Barbell Bench Presses 1 x max reps (8) @ 170lbs
-B Rope Rows 5 x 5 @ 120lbs with 60 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully.
-C Upright Rows 5 x 5 @ 70lbs with 60 second rest intrevals. Completed successfully.
-D Wide Grip Preacher Curls 5 x 5 @ 55lbs with 60 second rest intrevals. Completed successfully.
-E Triceps Press-Downs 5 x 5 @ 150lbs with 60 second rest intrevals. Completed successfully.
-Stretches
Duration: 52 minutes
Comments:
Oh my god was it great to be back in the gym. I was chomping at the bit to get in there. Amazingly, I guessed most of my weights right. I’m not sure if I like the rope rows or not they’re “different” but more time will tell. The wide grip preacher curls actually gave me a pump for the first time in a while and I could definitely feel the difference.
-A1 Barbell Back Squats 1 hold @ 315lbs with 90 seconds rest before A2. Completed sucessfully.
-A2 Barbell Back Squats 1 x max reps (8) @ 225lbs. Completed sucessfully.
-B Standing Leg Curls 8 x 3 @ 30lbs with 60 seconds rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully.
-C Seated Calf Raises 8 x 3 @ 105lbs with 60 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully.
-D Weighted Sit-Ups 8 x 3 @ 25lbs with 60 second rest intrevals. Completed sucessfully.
-Stretches
Duration: 1 hour 5 minutes
Comments:
Man I feel absolutely wonderful it kind of worries me. it felt too easy. This is the first time I’ve ever done standing leg curls and I think I like them. I’m just a lot weaker on them than I thought.
Question: Does anyone else have any problems with their wrists when squatting? What should I do? It’s like the bar is bending them back.
[quote]El_Animal wrote:
Question: Does anyone else have any problems with their wrists when squatting? What should I do? It’s like the bar is bending them back.[/quote]
Assuming you are talking about back squatting, it sounds like you may have the bar too low on your back.
Your hands should be providing the bar with pretty minimal support with the meaty part of you back taking most of the weight. Some times I back squat with my wrists on top of the bar and my hands just flopped over the front.
Try playing around with the postion of the bar on your back.
