Great work in here, dude. Every time I pop in here, no matter how long it’s been, you’re killing some new program and getting awesome results from it. The JJ tournament update was awesome as well.
The support and attention from @Tim_Patterson is pretty cool, too. I’m not much of a supplement guy but I’ve gotta admit I’m tempted to buy a bag of surge, haha.
Thank you very much!! It’s been a lot of fun doing this program and it’s awesome that it probably played into my success at the tournament. And I’m right there with you, because Surge has really been an incredible supplement that’s helped me bust through a plateau.
I wholeheartedly agree, it’s amazing that the CEO of Biotest is so personally invested in my results and helping me reach my goals. I couldn’t be more thankful for all that he’s done for me.
I’m much less of a supplement person than I was when I was younger, so I’m with you there.
But the research on the value of peri-workout nutrition is too important and brazen to ignore (unless you’re sort of a food purist a la Liver King, in which case principle is more important than optimal which I can understand); I suggest you give it a try. While hardly an expert on the subject, I still caught a few things and we can say for certain that it will help you in at least a couple ways.
Filthy set brother! You can really tell that you’re pushing. And you’re also gleaning with sweat, lol. Really appreciate you filming that set.
I’m no expert, but something I found worked really well for me, was for any pump-work, I carry a very consistent ‘1s up/1s down’ cadence with no pauses at the top or bottom; I’ve found this to be the most effective way to slam blood into the target muscles.
For the “Stimulate” portion, I think you’re leaving a lot on the table in terms of microtrauma and alternative stimulus to the pump work. The 5s eccentrics on the last half of the reps should be savage, and savage specifically on the target muscle (not just systemically, I believe).
If you find any of that helpful, I think lowering the weight might serve you super well in terms of trying to capitalize on these two very-different stimulus methods. I personally am not a genetically gifted individual, but most of my progress in muscle mass came from when I starting differentiating the way I was targeting the muscles, rather than just trying to slam them carte blanche each time.
Just my 2 cents, but know that I am nothing but supportive and I love what you’re doing, keep it up brother!
Oh I’m onboard with intra-workout nutrition - I think I posted in the underrated/overrated thread about post-workout nutrition being overrated and intra being underrated. I find I can keep up a much higher amount of intensity when I have a shake or something during the workouts.
Nope, haha. I feel like humans got it right when they realized we could increase the bioavailability of food by cooking it. I just don’t like relying on aids much - but I’m not so principled in that matter that I’m against trying something new (and fun).
Thank you very much! I’m definitely going to be focusing on those negatives during my Stimulate set this week! I really want to milk every ounce of muscle I can from this program and I know that’s going to require really pushing those negatives. I really appreciate the words of support as well! It’s very motivating thinking about how T-Nation is supporting me every step of the way!
Today I was much more cognizant of the slow negatives on the squats during the Stimulate phase. It’s did make a good difference, it was a lot harder and definitely felt the muscles in my legs were working harder. I could probably actually handle a little heavier weight for squats on the “Thigh” workouts.
It was another really hot day out in the garage gym. Lost a ton of sweat out there and felt out of breath a little quicker than usual, but the pump was absolutely incredible. I really enjoyed this lift and it was another good primer for the rest of the workouts this week.
Happy Independence Day!!! 
Thighs, Calves, Shoulders, Biceps
Pump
Leg Extension (Toes Out) 70x10
Leg Curl 70x8
Leg Extension (Toes In)
Stimulate
Squat 225x10
Leg Extension 70x10
Leg Curl 70x8
Flutter
Leg Extension 70-20 sec
Pump
Calf Raise 90x12
Seated Calf Raise 90x12
Donkey Calf Raise x12
Stimulate
Toes Pointed Leg Curl 70x8
Calf Raise 52.5x10
Flutter
Calf Raise 52.5-20 sec
Pump
Lateral Raise(exaggerated ROM) 35x10
Upright Row 35x10
DC Style Delt Stretch -40 sec
Stimulate
Overhead Press (With Fat Gripz) 135x10
Lateral Raise(exaggerated ROM) 20x10
Plate Farmers Walks -40 steps
Plate Shrugs x20
Flutter
Lateral Raise 20-20 sec
Pump
Narrow Grip Curl(with Fat Gripz) 85x8
Chin Up x15
Wide Grip Curl(with Fat Gripz) 85x8
Stimulate
Zottman Curl 20x10
Hammer Curl 20x10
Db Curl 20x10
Flutter
Db Curl 20-20 sec
I figured I would get a photo after today’s session. I’ve been trying to build Bodybuilder quality arms and shoulders my whole life and I think the Surge Challenge + Surge Workout Fuel is getting me closer every day. My forearms in particular are getting WAY bigger. Just walking around feeling full and jacked all the time!
Not just feeling. Looking the part too, man. Nice work!
Thank you very much! I’m doing my best!
Holy crap, dude! There’s no other way to say it: you’re just plain swole.
Nice work in here, as always.
Thank you so much my brother! This has truly been such a fun experience and I love just doing the work, the gains from it are the icing on the cake!
Awesome dude. I’m sure it will be the best for growth. I have a pretty strong squat by any standard, and 5s eccentrics on the lower half required a great deal of humility to get right in my experience. Let us know how it goes!
Yeah it’s a major gut check, especially when you’re breathing so hard you aren’t sure how you’re even going to survive haha. Hopefully the temp is nicer on Friday for the next Squat series! Just mind over matter, have to do it!
As the ancient philosopher Coleman, Ronnie, once said - “there ain’t nothing to it, but to do it.”
Dave is yoked!!
Thank you Tim!! It’s been a long journey to get here and I feel like I’ve tried and am trying everything I can to get myself to that point! I do love constantly learning and trying new things. I think that’s a good mindset to have for trying to get jacked
Got an amazing pump today. I really enjoyed this body part grouping. It was great for my ego, great for a pump, great for feeling jacked haha! I love Lemon Drop Surge so much. It really has a lemon cake flavor, which I’m such a huge fan of and it fits great with these hot garage workouts!
And thank you @Tim_Patterson for the suggestion on Scrape the Rack Rows! They felt incredible! They gave my lats just a mind blowing Pump! I think I’ll be using these for a long time!
Chest, Back, Triceps, Calves
Pump
Bench (with Fat Gripz) 225x10
Banded Flyes x20
Push Ups x25
Stimulate
Bench (with Fat Gripz) 185x10
Flutter
Bench (with Fat Gripz) 135-20 sec
Pump
Scrape the Rack Row (with Fat Gripz) 185x10
Chin Ups x15
Darden Pullover 52.5x10
Stimulate
Darden Pullover 52.5x8
Flutter
Scrape the Rack Row (with Fat Gripz) 135x10
Pump
Band Pushdowns x10
Dips x10
Band Pushdowns x8
Stimulate
Dumbbell Tricep Extension 52.5x8, 45x8
Flutter
Dumbbell Tricep Extension 45-20 sec
Pump
Calf Raises 90x12
Seated Calf Raises 90x12
Donkey Calf Raises x12
Stimulate
Hamstring Curls (Toes Pointed) 70x8
Calf Raises 52.5x10
Flutter
Calf Raises 52.5-20 sec
Great session in the 12th and I suppose final workout of the Surge challenge! I had to rush it a bit and remove some exercises to get through it fast enough to pick up my fiancé from work but still got a nice pump in. I skipped calves altogether as that’s a genetic strong point for me, and if I’m cutting anything out, that’s what it’s going to be. The limited time factor really made me get a good pump.
Legs, Shoulders, Biceps
Pump
Wide Squat 225x8
Narrow Squat 225x8
Moderate Squat 225x8
Stimulate
Squat 225x10
Pump
Lateral Raises 35x10
Upright Row 35x10
Stimulate
Overhead Press(with Fat Gripz) 135x10
Lateral Raise 20x10
Pump
Narrow Grip Barbell Curl (with Fat Gripz) 85x8
Chin Up x15
Wide Grip Barbell Curl (with Fat Gripz) 85x8
Stimulate
Zottman Curl 20x10
Hammer Curl 20x10
Db Curl 20x10
Workout 13 is in the books as of last night! I lifted right after Grappling last night so I was pretty exhausted. Maybe not the best strategy but at least the pump was awesome! I posted my results photos in the official Surge Challenge thread.
Also, I was originally awarded my blue belt in jiu jitsu last night!!
Thighs, Chest, Back, Forearms
Pump
Leg Extension Toes Out 90x10
Leg Curl 90x8
Leg Extension Toes In 90x10
Stimulate
Squat 225x10
Leg Extension 90x10
Leg Curl 90x8
Flutter
Leg Extension 90-20 sec
Pump
Bench (with Fat Gripz) 225x10
Flyes 47.5x10
Push Ups x25
Stimulate
Bench (with Fat Gripz) 135x10
Flutter
Bench (with Fat Gripz) 135-20 sec
Pump
Scrape The Rack Rows (with Fat Gripz) 185x10
Pull Ups x15
Darden Pullover 52.5x10
Stimulate
Darden Pullover 52.5x8
Flutter
Scrape the Rack Row (with Fat Gripz) 135-20 sec
Pump
Wrist Curl (with Fat Gripz) 65x10
Reverse Wrist Curl 45x10
Reverse Curl (with Fat Gripz) 65x10
Stimulate
Wrist Curl (with Fat Gripz) 65x10
Flutter
Wrist Curl (with Fat Gripz) 65-20 sec
Dude, that’s huge; congrats! A BJJ blue was always the sign of someone that could mess you up. Between your skill, size and strength, you are absolutely dangerous.