[quote]bulldog9899 wrote:
I think " canned programs" are needed for most people who are beginners and intermediate. Where talking a period of a few years here at any rate. But eventually it comes to a point where a person needs to step out on there own and internalise things . Of course that person needs to know the basics and have at least a grasp of how they respond to different training parameters. [/quote]
I agree. I’m just now reaching this point where I customize/tweak because I know what does/doesn’t work. And I do different types of training for all three of my lifts.
[quote]bulldog9899 wrote:
Im find that I’m not liking the notion of being a big fish in a small pond. Im not trying to sound egotistical. But , DAMN!!! Lets just say over all in my home town that’s the case. More so at the local YMCA, its even made more apparent to me. Im feeling that it is definitely having a negative impact on a subconscious level. I would give up my right nut to be training in a actual hardcore environment. With other lifters who can actually motivate and push me harder ,to help me reach my goals faster.[/quote]
Let me begin with an ego fluff:
You ARE a big fish in a small pond… or should we say a big DOG. Yeah, I realize that kinda sucks away some of the drive that comes from chasing somebody better than you. But buddy, you are now playing in a very small sandbox of elite lifters. Your peers are rather few and far between.
Now for the bitch slap:
Guys like you HAVE to be internally motivated if you intend to be successful. The logistics of finding another meat-head who can deadlift 1000 lb with you are remote. You want this? You have to find your own drive. And guess what? You’ve been doign exactly that for quite a while now. So you’re clearly capable.
Sucky? Yup. Sub-optimal? Definitely. A mental drag? Hell yaz!!!
Gonna stop you? FUCK NO!
Worth complaining about here for a little sympathy? Well… sure.
[quote]bulldog9899 wrote:
Im find that I’m not liking the notion of being a big fish in a small pond. Im not trying to sound egotistical. But , DAMN!!! Lets just say over all in my home town that’s the case. More so at the local YMCA, its even made more apparent to me. Im feeling that it is definitely having a negative impact on a subconscious level. I would give up my right nut to be training in a actual hardcore environment. With other lifters who can actually motivate and push me harder ,to help me reach my goals faster.[/quote]
I agree with this. I belong to 3 gyms. I spend one day at one for deadlifts/rackpulls/hams because it’s the only gym with a rack within 30 miles. I split the rest of the week between the other 2.
The other 2: A YMCA and an ‘athletic club’. I go to the “Y” because my kid swims on the swim team and I have to take her, so I’m there I might as well train-- the ho-hum environment of ne’er-do-wells (in the gym) and geriatrics makes it hard to be inspired (although I just tune it out).
The “athletic club” has all the equipment one would ever need (except a rack) but they’re more worried about keeping it clean and house rules. They locked up the 110-140 db’s because they “thought” someone was slamming them. Not to inspiring. I only belong to that gym because I can’t do my back anywhere else.
I think with a few years of training hard and getting stronger it’s not unreasonable that one would ‘grow to the top’ or outgrow the gym.
I used to have an AWESOME powerlifting gym in the area, but they closed down. Now I envy hardcore gyms. I’m inspired when I’m the smallest guy in the gym-- kind of like reading some of the logs here.
[quote]Canada_K wrote:
Sigh. I love canned programs. My big beef with 531 is that it requires me to invest a bunch of time I DON’T HAVE doing program design. I’m always gratfeul for the time and thought I’ve invested into it, but I wish I didn’t have to. Typically I don’t get a chance to even THINK about my next workout until I set foot into the weight room to lift. It’s often a complete surprise when I look down at my sheet to see what I’m doing for the day.
But everything I read tells me that to move up in this game it’s a necessary evolution.
Shit.[/quote]
I think " canned programs" are needed for most people who are beginners and intermediate. Where talking a period of a few years here at any rate. But eventually it comes to a point where a person needs to step out on there own and internalise things . Of course that person needs to know the basics and have at least a grasp of how they respond to different training parameters. Sorta like what is mentioned in the article. Im finding that I’m starting to enjoy things more when I’m not feeling weighted down with certain dogmas associated with one specific program. Not to mention I’m already noticing improvements since Ive taken more responsibility over what I do.[/quote]
I’m going to play devil’s advocate here and say that canned programs should still play an important part in the training of more advanced lifters too. I think the likes of Smolov, Sheiko and the Russian Squat Program should be thrown in every now and again just to remind us what hard work really is and what we are capable of if we really push ourselves to the limit. Obviously they shouldn’t be a mainstay but they help guard against our number one enemy, complacency. Be honest who, writing their own program, would put in a 6 sets of 6 reps at 80% 1rm squat day? or 10 sets of 3 reps for their 4th squat session of the week? No-one I’d wager.
[quote]Canada_K wrote:
Sigh. I love canned programs. My big beef with 531 is that it requires me to invest a bunch of time I DON’T HAVE doing program design. I’m always gratfeul for the time and thought I’ve invested into it, but I wish I didn’t have to. Typically I don’t get a chance to even THINK about my next workout until I set foot into the weight room to lift. It’s often a complete surprise when I look down at my sheet to see what I’m doing for the day.
But everything I read tells me that to move up in this game it’s a necessary evolution.
Shit.[/quote]
I think " canned programs" are needed for most people who are beginners and intermediate. Where talking a period of a few years here at any rate. But eventually it comes to a point where a person needs to step out on there own and internalise things . Of course that person needs to know the basics and have at least a grasp of how they respond to different training parameters. Sorta like what is mentioned in the article. Im finding that I’m starting to enjoy things more when I’m not feeling weighted down with certain dogmas associated with one specific program. Not to mention I’m already noticing improvements since Ive taken more responsibility over what I do.[/quote]
Up to this point, I’ve stayed with the canned programs, but I still consider myself a beginner. I’ve tweaked things here and there as I’ve started to get a better understanding of what I respond well to, and what I don’t. But I don’t think I’d try to develop my own just yet.
I go to a pretty hardcore gym, very lucky to have one just a few miles from where I live. Almost everyone in the free weight section is bigger and stronger than me. Sometimes it inspires me to push harder, sometimes not. It can be frustrating to make a PR on deadlift, then turn around and see someone benching more weight with less effort.
On the other hand, it’s very encouraging when these guys compliment me on being tough enough to squat and deadlift. It’s ho-hum when a non-athelete goes “Golleee!! You can lift 200 pounds???” Much better when you feel part of an elite group.
[quote]bulldog9899 wrote:
Im find that I’m not liking the notion of being a big fish in a small pond. Im not trying to sound egotistical. But , DAMN!!! Lets just say over all in my home town that’s the case. More so at the local YMCA, its even made more apparent to me. Im feeling that it is definitely having a negative impact on a subconscious level. I would give up my right nut to be training in a actual hardcore environment. With other lifters who can actually motivate and push me harder ,to help me reach my goals faster.[/quote]
Let me begin with an ego fluff:
You ARE a big fish in a small pond… or should we say a big DOG. Yeah, I realize that kinda sucks away some of the drive that comes from chasing somebody better than you. But buddy, you are now playing in a very small sandbox of elite lifters. Your peers are rather few and far between.
Now for the bitch slap:
Guys like you HAVE to be internally motivated if you intend to be successful. The logistics of finding another meat-head who can deadlift 1000 lb with you are remote. You want this? You have to find your own drive. And guess what? You’ve been doign exactly that for quite a while now. So you’re clearly capable.
Sucky? Yup. Sub-optimal? Definitely. A mental drag? Hell yaz!!!
Gonna stop you? FUCK NO!
Worth complaining about here for a little sympathy? Well… sure.[/quote]
So your saying that I need to stop whinning like a little bitch and man the hell up ?
I think with a few years of training hard and getting stronger it’s not unreasonable that one would ‘grow to the top’ or outgrow the gym.
I used to have an AWESOME powerlifting gym in the area, but they closed down. Now I envy hardcore gyms. I’m inspired when I’m the smallest guy in the gym-- kind of like reading some of the logs here.[/quote]
Unfortunately, that the case in my situation. Ive become a motivation to some ( very few) but mostly I’m a oddity to most. If there is one thing I’m finding I’m enjoying just a little , Is the look in some of the cocky guys eyes who think that there the shit. After one of my training sessions I end up deflation there egos.
Im in the same boat your in. I have to either read the logs on here or other sites. Along with watching You tube videos of well established lifters. Just to be able to get that little bit of external motivation.
I do a more eclectic kind of training. I use what works and i try to make it better. Really if you have a log that is even a year old, I don’t think that it applies to the cycle you would use now. You learn and you tweak. I remember when I did my first meet. I don’t give a shit how I got there because I sucked. It is all about progress, Anything else is history and wasted paper.
I will fight anyone who uses the big fish bullshit. Fuck off! You get under a bar and tell me about it.Bulldog
sorry for the post, but that is a dick move.
[quote]Canada_K wrote:
Sigh. I love canned programs. My big beef with 531 is that it requires me to invest a bunch of time I DON’T HAVE doing program design. I’m always gratfeul for the time and thought I’ve invested into it, but I wish I didn’t have to. Typically I don’t get a chance to even THINK about my next workout until I set foot into the weight room to lift. It’s often a complete surprise when I look down at my sheet to see what I’m doing for the day.
But everything I read tells me that to move up in this game it’s a necessary evolution.
Shit.[/quote]
I think " canned programs" are needed for most people who are beginners and intermediate. Where talking a period of a few years here at any rate. But eventually it comes to a point where a person needs to step out on there own and internalise things . Of course that person needs to know the basics and have at least a grasp of how they respond to different training parameters. Sorta like what is mentioned in the article. Im finding that I’m starting to enjoy things more when I’m not feeling weighted down with certain dogmas associated with one specific program. Not to mention I’m already noticing improvements since Ive taken more responsibility over what I do.[/quote]
I’m going to play devil’s advocate here and say that canned programs should still play an important part in the training of more advanced lifters too. I think the likes of Smolov, Sheiko and the Russian Squat Program should be thrown in every now and again just to remind us what hard work really is and what we are capable of if we really push ourselves to the limit. Obviously they shouldn’t be a mainstay but they help guard against our number one enemy, complacency. Be honest who, writing their own program, would put in a 6 sets of 6 reps at 80% 1rm squat day? or 10 sets of 3 reps for their 4th squat session of the week? No-one I’d wager.[/quote]
Not to be a kiss ass. But yeah I can agree with your point of view. Getting back into the mix I leaned heavily on canned programs to get back into the swing of things. And more then likely from time to time ill probably try others . By the way , No 5/3/1 ? For shame
[quote]Big Bencher wrote:
I will fight anyone who uses the big fish bullshit. Fuck off! You get under a bar and tell me about it.Bulldog
sorry for the post, but that is a dick move.
BB[/quote]
Huh. Im confused here. All I was doing was venting over the fact that I’m upset that I’m one of the few strength oriented guys in my area and it upsets me. I don’t understand why that’s a dick headed move . Christ !! I don’t understand what your getting at!!! Christ I’m forced to train by myself and don’t have anyone to help me in my training. I never said I was a big fish out of my little pond!!! I know where I stack up!! I know I’m a small fucking fish !!! So why are you attaching me ??? Its not like I’m using it as a excuse for any lack of gains I may or not be having since 75 % of the year in in my garage. Im just envious of the fact other lifters get to train in better environments. ( I think we have a misunderstandings here)
[quote]Canada_K wrote:
Sigh. I love canned programs. My big beef with 531 is that it requires me to invest a bunch of time I DON’T HAVE doing program design. I’m always gratfeul for the time and thought I’ve invested into it, but I wish I didn’t have to. Typically I don’t get a chance to even THINK about my next workout until I set foot into the weight room to lift. It’s often a complete surprise when I look down at my sheet to see what I’m doing for the day.
But everything I read tells me that to move up in this game it’s a necessary evolution.
Shit.[/quote]
I think " canned programs" are needed for most people who are beginners and intermediate. Where talking a period of a few years here at any rate. But eventually it comes to a point where a person needs to step out on there own and internalise things . Of course that person needs to know the basics and have at least a grasp of how they respond to different training parameters. Sorta like what is mentioned in the article. Im finding that I’m starting to enjoy things more when I’m not feeling weighted down with certain dogmas associated with one specific program. Not to mention I’m already noticing improvements since Ive taken more responsibility over what I do.[/quote]
Up to this point, I’ve stayed with the canned programs, but I still consider myself a beginner. I’ve tweaked things here and there as I’ve started to get a better understanding of what I respond well to, and what I don’t. But I don’t think I’d try to develop my own just yet.[/quote]
[quote]cavalier wrote:
I go to a pretty hardcore gym, very lucky to have one just a few miles from where I live. Almost everyone in the free weight section is bigger and stronger than me. Sometimes it inspires me to push harder, sometimes not. It can be frustrating to make a PR on deadlift, then turn around and see someone benching more weight with less effort.
On the other hand, it’s very encouraging when these guys compliment me on being tough enough to squat and deadlift. It’s ho-hum when a non-athelete goes “Golleee!! You can lift 200 pounds???” Much better when you feel part of an elite group.
[/quote]
I never said you had to stop whining. That’s what this place is for, right? THIS is where folks like us go for comraderie. I’ve said it before, it is IMPOSSIBLE to pursue the lifter lifestyle balls-to-the-wall, day in and day out without support. For lots of us, we don’t have peers at our gyms, or in our social circle. Life just didn’t deal us those cards. This demanding lifestyle can be downright unbearable when you have to fight for it solo.
The internet lets us lone warriors find our brothers (and sisters!). We NEED to get a thumbs up and a little ego stroking when we bust out a great lift, and we deserve it. We NEED place to vent about the crowds of people who don’t get what we’re doing, and who often times outright fight against or ridicule us. We NEED people to bounce ideas off when we’re not certain. And we NEED like-minded folks to kick us hard in the ass when we need the extra inertia to get up.
Now… you vented. I support it 100%. I applied one ass-kicking. If you feel another is required I’ll be happy to provide it… if snapper doesn’t get there first.
That is all.
p.s. for what it’s worth, I left my pond, where I was the big fish, to come here to be surrounded by guys like you who make me feel like a little bitch to kick start me out of my slump. It’s working.
[quote]Canada_K wrote:
THIS is where folks like us go for comraderie. I’ve said it before, it is IMPOSSIBLE to pursue the lifter lifestyle balls-to-the-wall, day in and day out without support. For lots of us, we don’t have peers at our gyms, or in our social circle. Life just didn’t deal us those cards. This demanding lifestyle can be downright unbearable when you have to fight for it solo.
The internet lets us lone warriors find our brothers (and sisters!). We NEED to get a thumbs up and a little ego stroking when we bust out a great lift, and we deserve it. We NEED place to vent about the crowds of people who don’t get what we’re doing, and who often times outright fight against or ridicule us. We NEED people to bounce ideas off when we’re not certain. And we NEED like-minded folks to kick us hard in the ass when we need the extra inertia to get up.
[/quote]
Wow that nearly brought a tear to my eye.
If the over 35 forum had a constitution this should be in it. It’s right up there with “I am somebody” by Jesse Jackson. I can just see you up there, on the podium, surrounded by thousands of adoring onlookers, hanging on your every word, the sunlight glinting off your snug speedos, the…
Joking aside, that was great. It really sums up what this forum means to me. BRAVO!
