Very interesting reading. I will have to go over it a few times to truly get my head around it. a very different way of looking at things. I find the drug counter argument interesting. Can you put your body through that much effort repeatedly and think it will come out the other side without chemicals? The body does adapt yes, I just wonder if it’s worth it.
[quote]username42 wrote:
Very interesting reading. I will have to go over it a few times to truly get my head around it. a very different way of looking at things. I find the drug counter argument interesting. Can you put your body through that much effort repeatedly and think it will come out the other side without chemicals? The body does adapt yes, I just wonder if it’s worth it. [/quote]
That’s always the question, though, isn’t it?
It is. My borrowed philosophy is “Everything works, but nothing works forever.” This seems to claim it does work forever, just after the bouts of the “dark times”. Makes one wonder if its worth it.
username, if that’s true, I’m returning the Ginsu knife set I just bought off the TV ad.
DCA, are you doing much of a push on the CNPs? Either way, props. That’s one area (OK, one of the areas) where my progress is abysmal.
[quote]sfp wrote:
username, if that’s true, I’m returning the Ginsu knife set I just bought off the TV ad.
DCA, are you doing much of a push on the CNPs? Either way, props. That’s one area (OK, one of the areas) where my progress is abysmal.[/quote]
No push on the press, strict only. I do lighter rep work on the press on “off” days (which I haven’t been logging) and that seems to be the main reason my press has gotten stronger or at least more consistent. Used to be that 180 and above was a big deal, but now it seems like just another workday.
I’m moving towards doing some sort of squat and some sort of press every day, but varying the intensity.
[quote]DaCharmingAlbino wrote:
No push on the press, strict only. I do lighter rep work on the press on “off” days (which I haven’t been logging) and that seems to be the main reason my press has gotten stronger or at least more consistent. Used to be that 180 and above was a big deal, but now it seems like just another workday.
[/quote]
Curses! Yet another way I’ll never catch you!
My MP has come up a bunch relative to the dismal place it was, but I’ve got a long way to go. I’ve been thinking about doing lighter rep work as well (though probably not on off days), something along the lines of BBB. How light, how many reps?
[quote]sfp wrote:
[quote]DaCharmingAlbino wrote:
No push on the press, strict only. I do lighter rep work on the press on “off” days (which I haven’t been logging) and that seems to be the main reason my press has gotten stronger or at least more consistent. Used to be that 180 and above was a big deal, but now it seems like just another workday.
[/quote]
Curses! Yet another way I’ll never catch you!
My MP has come up a bunch relative to the dismal place it was, but I’ve got a long way to go. I’ve been thinking about doing lighter rep work as well (though probably not on off days), something along the lines of BBB. How light, how many reps?[/quote]
It varies depending on how I feel. Last time I did behind the neck push presses 5x5@135. I’m thinking of trying them @ 165 today for a few sets of 3. If I’m feeling squirrelly I’ll go past my strict press weight for a few reps. It doesn’t seem to hurt my floor press at all, so why not?
You’ve made some impressive progress in the time between when you stopped posting and started back up again.
I do not have remarkable strength. I consider what I’ve attained in terms of strength as the baseline capability of ANY healthy male between the ages of 16 and 50. I don’t pay attention to food or sleep to support it I just go lift whatever.
People like PeteS and maraudermeat, ecogenx, harry etc, have moved themselves into the next level which IS remarkable strength. They’ve made the sacrifices required to reach that level, changing their diets, prioritizing their days to make the attainment of such remarkable strength possible.
In a way, it’s sad that I should be considered strong, since it means that we’ve lost the idea of what basic strength is.
Baseline. Nice. That makes me feel worse!
You’re right, though, for guys like us (if I may take the liberty of putting myself in the same category), it’s much more of an uphill slog.
Still, nice work, and great progress all the way around.
2010-6-12
Mood: good, ready to train but a bit fatigued.
Weight 184
Dug a hole at the beach 5 feet in diameter and 5 feet deep for all the boys there to dive into, plus a ramp for the smaller ones. Girls won’t jump into deep hole for some reason.
BTN Push-Press
barx10
115x5
145x5
165x5,5
Really feel these in the back of the right shoulder and trap. They’re doing something good.
Power Cleans
135x5
165x3
185x3
205x2
225x1
230x0,0
225x0
Didn’t have more than one it looks like. That 225 felt easy though - must be the “Centipede’s Problem.”
Deep Squats
265x2,5,5
Split my shorts in the back all the way to the inseam on the 3rd rep. Tucked my sweat towel in the back of my pants and did the last 2 sets. Second time in a week.
[quote]DaCharmingAlbino wrote:
I do not have remarkable strength. I consider what I’ve attained in terms of strength as the baseline capability of ANY healthy male between the ages of 16 and 50. I don’t pay attention to food or sleep to support it I just go lift whatever.
People like PeteS and maraudermeat, ecogenx, harry etc, have moved themselves into the next level which IS remarkable strength. They’ve made the sacrifices required to reach that level, changing their diets, prioritizing their days to make the attainment of such remarkable strength possible.
In a way, it’s sad that I should be considered strong, since it means that we’ve lost the idea of what basic strength is.[/quote]
Humility. That is a trait that seems to be missing in a lot of people these days. However, that is not the case with you. That being said, I once had a friend of mine tell me ‘Son, sometimes you need to STFU and accept the compliment.’ So, nice work all around.
PS I was told this because at one point in my life, ego overode everything and caused me alot of ‘grief’. When I learned what humility actually was, I kinda over did it the other way, which prompted the remark from an older, wiser person than me. Just wanted to make sure you didn’t take my message in the wrong context.
[quote]DaCharmingAlbino wrote:
I do not have remarkable strength. I consider what I’ve attained in terms of strength as the baseline capability of ANY healthy male between the ages of 16 and 50. I don’t pay attention to food or sleep to support it I just go lift whatever.
People like PeteS and maraudermeat, ecogenx, harry etc, have moved themselves into the next level which IS remarkable strength. They’ve made the sacrifices required to reach that level, changing their diets, prioritizing their days to make the attainment of such remarkable strength possible.
In a way, it’s sad that I should be considered strong, since it means that we’ve lost the idea of what basic strength is.[/quote]
Baseline? Hogwash! Let me interject one of my few profanities here and call bullshit on this.
Physically possible by most, given the dedication to get there? Now you’re in the ballpark, atleast. We are not freaks, like Bolton or Poundstone. Even the folks you mentioned above may be better genetically inclined to strength…but they work their asses off.
Sure, people should be stronger than they are. It frustrates me when I have to team carry something and the other half of the “team” can’t get the damned thing off the floor. But that is exactly why your strength, and what you have achieved, is special. And there are others on this site.
There are 3 types of folks when it comes to strength…
- Those who don’t care about it, so don’t train.
- Those who want it, but can’t MENTALLY force themselves to get there.
- And those who have the MENTAL strength to do what it takes.
When you are having a good day, you are working it. Bad day?..working it. So-so day? Working it. Damn, Tony…you blow out your back…you keep working it. You’re tired, sick, neck is seizing… You never back down.
We are all (well, most of us) human beings. So, the physical is not what defines us. That’s why you are not a “baseline”. The vast majority of folks do not have the strength of will, dedication or capacity to push through and take their strength to where it can be.
That is one of the things I love about this group. They get in there and do it. Good days, bad days, sick, healthy or whatever. I would be remiss not to point out that even here, you push it as hard or harder than anyone.
Sorry so long…but stop self deprecating, take the compliments and acknowledge your achievements. Don’t get satified (like that could happen), but it is okay to acknowledge that, in this pursuit at least, there is nothing baseline or average about you.
[quote]LittleStrick wrote:
[quote]DaCharmingAlbino wrote:
I do not have remarkable strength. I consider what I’ve attained in terms of strength as the baseline capability of ANY healthy male between the ages of 16 and 50. I don’t pay attention to food or sleep to support it I just go lift whatever.
People like PeteS and maraudermeat, ecogenx, harry etc, have moved themselves into the next level which IS remarkable strength. They’ve made the sacrifices required to reach that level, changing their diets, prioritizing their days to make the attainment of such remarkable strength possible.
In a way, it’s sad that I should be considered strong, since it means that we’ve lost the idea of what basic strength is.[/quote]
Baseline? Hogwash! Let me interject one of my few profanities here and call bullshit on this.
Physically possible by most, given the dedication to get there? Now you’re in the ballpark, atleast. We are not freaks, like Bolton or Poundstone. Even the folks you mentioned above may be better genetically inclined to strength…but they work their asses off.
Sure, people should be stronger than they are. It frustrates me when I have to team carry something and the other half of the “team” can’t get the damned thing off the floor. But that is exactly why your strength, and what you have achieved, is special. And there are others on this site.
There are 3 types of folks when it comes to strength…
- Those who don’t care about it, so don’t train.
- Those who want it, but can’t MENTALLY force themselves to get there.
- And those who have the MENTAL strength to do what it takes.
When you are having a good day, you are working it. Bad day?..working it. So-so day? Working it. Damn, Tony…you blow out your back…you keep working it. You’re tired, sick, neck is seizing… You never back down.
We are all (well, most of us) human beings. So, the physical is not what defines us. That’s why you are not a “baseline”. The vast majority of folks do not have the strength of will, dedication or capacity to push through and take their strength to where it can be.
That is one of the things I love about this group. They get in there and do it. Good days, bad days, sick, healthy or whatever. I would be remiss not to point out that even here, you push it as hard or harder than anyone.
Sorry so long…but stop self deprecating, take the compliments and acknowledge your achievements. Don’t get satified (like that could happen), but it is okay to acknowledge that, in this pursuit at least, there is nothing baseline or average about you.[/quote]
What Skip sez X6… You’re one strong moo-foo. Dont sell yourself short. Thats my stchik
Strick, and Rug, you make excellent points, as always, though I don’t think DCA’s comments were necessarily self-deprecating, just an honest assessment of our physical state (again, lumping myself in the same category) rather than the mental state that has gotten us to this point.
In my case, I’m amazed (shocked, dumbfounded) at the progress you, Steely, and others have made since making your appearance on here. Progress that has far outstripped anything I’ve done, and which I attribute IN PART to you having a different makeup physically. Of course, without the mental side driving you, you wouldn’t have squat (Ha ha! Get it? Squat?).
Someday I hope to get close, but, assuming that happens, it will take much longer. That’s just the way I’m built physically. Though I’ve resigned myself to the average quality of my genetics, it doesn’t mean that I’m satisfied, and I know DCA feels the same way (except probably more so).
And DCA, what’s up with the 185 BW? Have you dropped 10 the past couple of months?
[quote]sfp wrote:
Strick, and Rug, you make excellent points, as always, though I don’t think DCA’s comments were necessarily self-deprecating, just an honest assessment of our physical state (again, lumping myself in the same category) rather than the mental state that has gotten us to this point.
In my case, I’m amazed (shocked, dumbfounded) at the progress you, Steely, and others have made since making your appearance on here. Progress that has far outstripped anything I’ve done, and which I attribute IN PART to you having a different makeup physically. Of course, without the mental side driving you, you wouldn’t have squat (Ha ha! Get it? Squat?).
Someday I hope to get close, but, assuming that happens, it will take much longer. That’s just the way I’m built physically. Though I’ve resigned myself to the average quality of my genetics, it doesn’t mean that I’m satisfied, and I know DCA feels the same way (except probably more so).
And DCA, what’s up with the 185 BW? Have you dropped 10 the past couple of months?[/quote]
sfp, there is much truth in this. As for me, I have the added benefit of carrying 100# more than Tony. My size gives me an advantage. Hell, I am built to lift, even if not overly gifted in some areas. Even if I was at Tony’s low level of bodyfat, I would still have 50# or more on him.
I am not comparing Tony to me, though. Because if I do, I will go hide in a corner. I have him on a couple of lifts, but not by much. And he outlifts me on others. Given our “genetics”, that shouldn’t happen. He has just out worked me…plain and simple.
The reason Tony, and you, are stronger than other people realtive to your size, is because you do what it takes to get there. Your strength surpasses others in the same category, and in catrgories aboves yours (size and genetics). The difference is, you get in there and get it done. That is the true mark of success and achievement.
If you and Derek Poundstone picked up weights for the 1st time, on the same day, and you work just as hard as he does, he would soon blow past you…and would start ahead of you…and me. That is genetics. The fact that he will be stronger in no way diminishes your achievement, or mine, or Tony’s.
My brother is a good example to me. I hit the weights 3 times as hard and often as he did. He has the genetics, though. He benched 495# and squated and deadlifted 600+#…with less effort. I am happy for him. But I do not feel like I have achieved less. I can’t control what my body is capable of, only what I do with the capabilities that I have.
My football coach had a simple philosophy…talent be damned. Give me a player who has heart. A player who will give me everything he has.
People are awed by those whose natural make up allows them to do extraordinary feats of strength, but they respect those who bust their asses and make the most of themselves.
And, no, Tony’s comments were not sincerely self deprecating. He is modest and, from the sounds of things, seem to be going through a down time. I can sympathize. No matter what, though, he is NOT average. What he can do is NOT baseline. And even if he could only lift half the weight he does, because of his attitude and dedication, I would rather lift with him than any of the folks who are able to go in there, put forth half the effort, and move the world.
Attitude and heart makes a winner, and success, not genetics.
Strick, I’m trying to argue with you, so it’s a little upsetting that you agree with me, and, further, that I agree with everything you say.
Would you please stop being so logical and reasonable? Sheesh, guy can’t even have a decent argument around here…
Net-net: we’re all awesome here. Er…you’re all awesome.
I think I post here for just a few reasons:
- Accountability; which I really need
- Advice; which is given freely
- Inspiration; which is found in abundance
Whew. That’s really mushy stuff. I can practically smell the estrogen here.
All true, though. Enough with the hijack; back to you Great White One.
[quote]sfp wrote:
Strick, I’m trying to argue with you, so it’s a little upsetting that you agree with me, and, further, that I agree with everything you say.
Would you please stop being so logical and reasonable? Sheesh, guy can’t even have a decent argument around here…
Net-net: we’re all awesome here. Er…you’re all awesome.
I think I post here for just a few reasons:
- Accountability; which I really need
- Advice; which is given freely
- Inspiration; which is found in abundance
Whew. That’s really mushy stuff. I can practically smell the estrogen here.
All true, though. Enough with the hijack; back to you Great White One.[/quote]
Sorry. I really wasn’t trying to be argumentative 
And I agree with all 3 of you reasons. Honestly, I think that is one reason I get so stressed about hitting PRs. I feel the need to progress, since I feel accountable, to a degree, to you folks. Don’t want to be caught slacking…
Tony, sorry for the hijack. What you think about yourself is what matters. From my perspective, though, you are strong as hell…and your work ethic and knowledge are both inspiring and laudable. I know that keeping up with your training has helped me get in there on the days that I really haven’t wanted to.
[quote]DaCharmingAlbino wrote:
It is sad that I should be considered strong, since it means that we’ve lost the idea of what basic strength is.[/quote]
Reading your thread and you’ve caused me to think way too much today. First, read the article you linked to on CNS, over training, etc… But this line really caught my eye cause it hits real close to one of the great mysteries of athletics. I know you like to read about the strong men of old but here’s what’s always puzzled me. I love to watch the tapes (vids) of old throwers. Amazing how many have been put on the internet. The old Nazi progaganda film Olympiad about the 1936 Olympics shows a good hour of the throws. Here’s the puzzlement and why your statement hit home. These guys had really rudimentary form (compared to now), lifted a lot more steins, mugs, and bottles than weights, yet threew farther than all but the really good of today. You can look at their muscular development and tell it’s not the result of lifting weights. So, were they just that much stronger than we are because of their everyday life and not having the modern conviences we do?
[quote]hel320 wrote:
[quote]DaCharmingAlbino wrote:
It is sad that I should be considered strong, since it means that we’ve lost the idea of what basic strength is.[/quote]
Reading your thread and you’ve caused me to think way too much today. First, read the article you linked to on CNS, over training, etc… But this line really caught my eye cause it hits real close to one of the great mysteries of athletics. I know you like to read about the strong men of old but here’s what’s always puzzled me. I love to watch the tapes (vids) of old throwers. Amazing how many have been put on the internet. The old Nazi progaganda film Olympiad about the 1936 Olympics shows a good hour of the throws. Here’s the puzzlement and why your statement hit home. These guys had really rudimentary form (compared to now), lifted a lot more steins, mugs, and bottles than weights, yet threew farther than all but the really good of today. You can look at their muscular development and tell it’s not the result of lifting weights. So, were they just that much stronger than we are because of their everyday life and not having the modern conviences we do? [/quote]
HEL, I think your logic is sound. I know things were harder back then, but I dont think they were THAT much harder. But that being said, I agree with you. We are MUCH more a push button society than we were. Maybe it feeds into Stricks argument of trying harder in training, and possibly being able to give more time to it.
Deep thoughts. No time to address them right now…
2010-6-13
Floor Press + squat mini-circuit
185/225 x 5/3
215/265 x 5/3
245/305 x 3/3
270/335 x 2/1, 1/1x6 sets
Cheat Front Lever and Row
3x7 sets
BB Curl
2x2 sets,1x5 sets
edit:
Something went tweaky on my chest on the last floor press, Felt like something pulling loose from the sternum. Glad it was my last set. Floor Presses were hard, squats were easy. Supersetting like that really knocked down the reps on floor press and I had to stick to singles. I had to do that to fit training in with all the other stuff I had to do today, but it worked out a-ok. Got some more beach time with my son and the new Fire-bellied toads got some fresh and kickin’ crickets to chomp on. Crickets never knew what hit them. Those toads were hungry.
I don’t think I’m being down on myself at all. I’ve just read about and am now hanging around (virtually) folks who are really strong and think I have a good estimation of what strong is. I ain’t there and I think it’s ok to recognize that. What I am doing is attaining the most strength I can for my age, frame and bodyweight. That may make me relatively strong, but the universe doesn’t care about relative strength. The guy who lifts more weight is stronger. Period. Bodyweight don’t figger into it.
I think people from “back when” either were or were born to people who came from adverse circumstances. That made them mentally tough and concomitantly physically tough if they chose an athletic pursuit or simply a hard job. They didn’t give up and they didn’t have complicated excuses for why they didn’t make the cut. My pop was dirt poor and working for my grandpa in the woods, setting chokers, by the time he was in his teens. When I was a pre-teen I saw him pick up, hold and carry a drunk dude, who had insulted my mother, larger than himself from the family room to the front porch of our house and pitch said drunk dude off the six-foot high porch for a good distance - long after he had left physical work. He just had the attitude and the will to do it.