How Do You Train Prof X ?

Brahms · April 26, 2007, 9:33pm

the audacity of some of you

the guy offers tons of great advice and information and explicitly states that what he does WORKS FOR HIM and MAY NOT WORK FOR OTHER PEOPLE. and many people just attack him for the most ludicrous reasons.

I really hope this thread gets back on track. I probably learned more useful stuff here than in 20 articles.

my question is: Prof X do you now/have you ever done pullups as part of you lat development routine? initially, they put on quite a bit of mass for me here (i went from being a straight back to actually having some decent wings).

i started from maxing out at 3-4 pullups and now can do 11 in one set. but lately my lats haven’t been growing any wider. i would like to add just a little bit more, but not too much more WIDTH because i dont want to walk around in that hug stance all the time.

Bauer97 · April 26, 2007, 10:32pm

[quote]Brahms wrote:
the audacity of some of you

the guy offers tons of great advice and information and explicitly states that what he does WORKS FOR HIM and MAY NOT WORK FOR OTHER PEOPLE. and many people just attack him for the most ludicrous reasons.

I really hope this thread gets back on track. I probably learned more useful stuff here than in 20 articles.

my question is: Prof X do you now/have you ever done pullups as part of you lat development routine? initially, they put on quite a bit of mass for me here (i went from being a straight back to actually having some decent wings).

i started from maxing out at 3-4 pullups and now can do 11 in one set. but lately my lats haven’t been growing any wider. i would like to add just a little bit more, but not too much more WIDTH because i dont want to walk around in that hug stance all the time.[/quote]

Wow, your post started out really strong, but that ending statement…

You can do 11 pullups, and are worried that adding anymore width to your back will make the ‘imaginary lat syndrome’ a reality?

Unless your pullup reps are limited to 11 because you’re 320 pounds of solid muscle, I can’t possibly imagine you should be worrying about your back making you look TOO wide.

But, it was addressed to Prof X, so I encourage him to answer for himself…

Brahms · April 26, 2007, 11:08pm

no Bauer i appreciate your comments. certainly i want to hear from prof x but i will take anyone else’s criticism. basically what i meant by too much width was, theres a couple people in my gym that look kind of funny. their elbows almost make a 90" angle with their body when they walk around normally (yes thats an exaggeration but you get the picture).

im definitely not in that ‘i want to get big but not too big’ bs mentality, i just want to stay proportional. adding some lat width would help imo but i really think i need to build up mass everywhere else before i put more serious focus on width to maintain proportion.

again mainly im looking for experience. it is obviously different doing pullups at 250-300 than 160-200.

Professor_X · April 27, 2007, 1:11am

[quote]Brahms wrote:
no Bauer i appreciate your comments. certainly i want to hear from prof x but i will take anyone else’s criticism. basically what i meant by too much width was, theres a couple people in my gym that look kind of funny. their elbows almost make a 90" angle with their body when they walk around normally (yes thats an exaggeration but you get the picture).

im definitely not in that ‘i want to get big but not too big’ bs mentality, i just want to stay proportional. adding some lat width would help imo but i really think i need to build up mass everywhere else before i put more serious focus on width to maintain proportion.

again mainly im looking for experience. it is obviously different doing pullups at 250-300 than 160-200.[/quote]

Most of the people who walk around like that do it on purpose. I have a big back, one big enough to get comments on it at times when I am wearing a sweatshirt. I don’t walk around with my arms out at my sides. One of the reasons for that is I don’t feel a need to try to make myself look any bigger than I already do. Walking around like that isn’t much different than those guys who just started lifting and try to pump up real quick before they hit the club. If they really had enough size on them, they wouldn’t have to.

As far as pull ups, there was a long time where me and two other guys I trained with did them daily. They were the first thing we did when we got to the gym no matter what we were training that day. It was like a warm up just to get us in the right frame of mind to lift weights…plus it looked impressive.

I have yet to see someone whose back was so huge that it was “disproportionate”. Walking around with your arms sideways doesn’t mean your lats are simply so huge you can’t put your arms down. 9 times out of ten, it simply means you’re a douche.

chintokata · April 27, 2007, 2:28am

Prof X,

I have a question. Would you say those daily pull-ups that you used to do contributed to your lats greatly? Also, a second question. I can’t say I’ve ever met someone that can deadlift and/or squat 400 lbs. that looks out of shape. Have you?

Professor_X · April 27, 2007, 2:35am

[quote]chintokata wrote:
Prof X,

I have a question. Would you say those daily pull-ups that you used to do contributed to your lats greatly? Also, a second question. I can’t say I’ve ever met someone that can deadlift and/or squat 400 lbs. that looks out of shape. Have you?[/quote]

Yes, they contributed, but so did years of lat pull downs, T-Bar rows and several HS rowing machines. It is never just one thing that contributes to how developed someone is.

As far as the 400lbs, most of the people who have even done that much on a squat, even for a couple of reps, are usually more focused and driven than the majority of lifters in most gyms.

tGunslinger · April 27, 2007, 3:28am

There’s no way you’re a doctor. You post here too much.

ShaneM686 · April 27, 2007, 3:49am

Imaginary Lat Syndrome is so funny to see!

This somewhat scrawny guy at my gym walks with his arms very far out to his sides… it’s honestly hard not to laugh.

p.s. i want a bobble head doll

what are your degrees in prof and what do you practice? (PM if you don’t want to share publicly) - thank you

Professor_X · April 27, 2007, 4:07am

[quote]ShaneM686 wrote:

what are your degrees in prof and what do you practice? (PM if you don’t want to share publicly) - thank you[/quote]

I have a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a DMD often seen as DDS with additional training in oral surgery, prosthetics and operative dentistry.

BigRagoo · April 27, 2007, 4:54am

[quote]Professor X wrote:
ShaneM686 wrote:

what are your degrees in prof and what do you practice? (PM if you don’t want to share publicly) - thank you

I have a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a DMD often seen as DDS with additional training in oral surgery, prosthetics and operative dentistry.[/quote]

HAHa, how many people give you that bugged eyed look as if you’re gonna rip their manidble off when they see you? I imagine they think they are in for a painful visit, though I know you said that mostly people are surprised at your finesse.

Professor_X · April 27, 2007, 5:21am

[quote]BigRagoo wrote:
Professor X wrote:
ShaneM686 wrote:

what are your degrees in prof and what do you practice? (PM if you don’t want to share publicly) - thank you

I have a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a DMD often seen as DDS with additional training in oral surgery, prosthetics and operative dentistry.

HAHa, how many people give you that bugged eyed look as if you’re gonna rip their manidble off when they see you? I imagine they think they are in for a painful visit, though I know you said that mostly people are surprised at your finesse.[/quote]

I actually don’t get that ‘as much’ anymore. I think most people here have heard of me by now (ie. that big doc) so the general word is that I do what I do well. I still get comments after I leave the room like, “damn, doc had some guns, didn’t he?” spoken to my assistant. Every once in a while I get “that look” from people when I first walk in the room. Lately, I seem to get a lot of comments about my age though from some of the older enlisted who seem to think I am 12 years old until they hear me speak for a while.

BigRagoo · April 27, 2007, 5:34am

[quote]Professor X wrote:
BigRagoo wrote:
Professor X wrote:
ShaneM686 wrote:

what are your degrees in prof and what do you practice? (PM if you don’t want to share publicly) - thank you

I have a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a DMD often seen as DDS with additional training in oral surgery, prosthetics and operative dentistry.

HAHa, how many people give you that bugged eyed look as if you’re gonna rip their manidble off when they see you? I imagine they think they are in for a painful visit, though I know you said that mostly people are surprised at your finesse.

I actually don’t get that ‘as much’ anymore. I think most people here have heard of me by now (ie. that big doc) so the general word is that I do what I do well. I still get comments after I leave the room like, “damn, doc had some guns, didn’t he?” spoken to my assistant. Every once in a while I get “that look” from people when I first walk in the room. Lately, I seem to get a lot of comments about my age though from some of the older enlisted who seem to think I am 12 years old until they hear me speak for a while.[/quote]

Yeah, well, our elders will always look at us as “young punks” simply because we’re their children’s generation. Trust me, I get some of the same in my profession…yet I get outstanding reviews.

yeahbuddy86 · April 27, 2007, 3:54pm

Lots of great info in this thread so far, I just had a quick question about peri workout nutrition. Do you drink a Surge type shake before/ during/ and or after your workouts or do opt for solid foods.

I have had some success with a carb/protein drink during and after my workouts but I wondered what do you think is best to eat before a workout and how long before a workout?

Professor_X · April 28, 2007, 12:46am

[quote]yeahbuddy86 wrote:
Do you drink a Surge type shake before/ during/ and or after your workouts or do opt for solid foods. [/quote]

I don’t buy Surge. I see little use for it. That would have to be last on most people’s lists of “Things that actually contribute the most to growth and development”.

I eat or drink different things depending on my immediate goal. Someone asking for any hard and fast rules that ALWAYS apply would be missing the concept that everything doesn’t even work for all needs.

If I am dropping weight, I usually get a protein shake down after training. If I am gaining, it may be anything from Gatorade to Koolaid and then I get some food in me.

I ALWAYS get something in me right after training. That single concept is more important than specifically what that something is. I get the impression that some people on this site are even skipping eating anything unless it absolutely is a Surge drink.

I think it is best for most people to eat anywhere from 30min to an hour and a half before training depending on how fast your own personal digestion rate is. If you jump in the gym 35 min after eating and now have indigestion as a result, obviously you need more time.

What you eat is also individual. No one can tell you what will work best for you. That is up to you to find out. I have tried just about everything and even when I find something I like, I have usually eventually found something that worked better at least for some period of time. I have eaten eggs before lifting.

I have eaten sweet potatoes and chicken, pasta, rice and chicken, baked potatoes and possibly just about any other combination of food.

What is important is more that you are simply getting something in you to fuel a workout, not to nail down one specific food group that you will ALWAYS eat from now on. It just doesn’t work like that.

Beginners need constants. I think they stop being beginners when they realize there really aren’t any.

zdrax · April 28, 2007, 1:27am

[quote]Professor X wrote:
yeahbuddy86 wrote:
Do you drink a Surge type shake before/ during/ and or after your workouts or do opt for solid foods.

I don’t buy Surge. I see little use for it. That would have to be last on most people’s lists of “Things that actually contribute the most to growth and development”.

I eat or drink different things depending on my immediate goal. Someone asking for any hard and fast rules that ALWAYS apply would be missing the concept that everything doesn’t even work for all needs.

If I am dropping weight, I usually get a protein shake down after training. If I am gaining, it may be anything from Gatorade to Koolaid and then I get some food in me.

I ALWAYS get something in me right after training. That single concept is more important than specifically what that something is. I get the impression that some people on this site are even skipping eating anything unless it absolutely is a Surge drink.

I wondered what do you think is best to eat before a workout and how long before a workout?

I think it is best for most people to eat anywhere from 30min to an hour and a half before training depending on how fast your own personal digestion rate is. If you jump in the gym 35 min after eating and now have indigestion as a result, obviously you need more time.

What you eat is also individual. No one can tell you what will work best for you. That is up to you to find out. I have tried just about everything and even when I find something I like, I have usually eventually found something that worked better at least for some period of time. I have eaten eggs before lifting.

I have eaten sweet potatoes and chicken, pasta, rice and chicken, baked potatoes and possibly just about any other combination of food.

What is important is more that you are simply getting something in you to fuel a workout, not to nail down one specific food group that you will ALWAYS eat from now on. It just doesn’t work like that.

Beginners need constants. I think they stop being beginners when they realize there really aren’t any.[/quote]

Great post X. I think a lot of people are still missing the boat on workout nutrition. Everything with regard to workout nutrition is hyper-focused - to the detriment of trainees - on supplements. NO boosters, Surge type beverages, BCAAs, creatine stacks, the list goes on. The fact that people concentrate on this minutiae in lieu of focusing on food in the peri-workout period confounds me.

Simply put, the absolute best time to consume calories of any sort is during, before, and after the time of greatest energy expenditure. In particular, carbohydrate as the primary energetic substrate chosen is optimal given its synergistic relationship with protein. I have also a problem with the irrational avoidance of fat in workout nutrition but that’s for another diatribe :).

My issue with Surge is that you’re asking people to consume most of their daily allotment of carbohydrates from something completely devoid of micronutritional value. It’s sugar people. That’s all.

Professional athletes meet the physiological demand incurred from training with proper nutrient intake. So many trainees believe they need to follow a different protocol than athletes to achieve their physiques. I shake my head at the irrational fear of carbohydrates on these boards. The body is in a constant state of tissue turnover. Eating carbs is not going to make you fat. Eating too much food and not moving enough makes you fat.

Also, a thought question to those who rely on workout supplements in the exclusion of food. What difference would the speed of absorption of protein or carbohydrate make if you properly fuel yourself for a workout bout with a whole food meal 60 - 90 minutes prior, timing the mid-digestive process with your training?

That_One_Guy · April 28, 2007, 2:01am

[quote]Professor X wrote:

Beginners need constants. I think they stop being beginners when they realize there really aren’t any.[/quote]

Wow, this particular sentence is very valuable.

Fulmen · April 28, 2007, 2:31am

[quote]Professor X wrote:

I don’t buy Surge. I see little use for it. That would have to be last on most people’s lists of “Things that actually contribute the most to growth and development”.

I eat or drink different things depending on my immediate goal. Someone asking for any hard and fast rules that ALWAYS apply would be missing the concept that everything doesn’t even work for all needs.

If I am dropping weight, I usually get a protein shake down after training. If I am gaining, it may be anything from Gatorade to Koolaid and then I get some food in me.

I ALWAYS get something in me right after training. That single concept is more important than specifically what that something is. I get the impression that some people on this site are even skipping eating anything unless it absolutely is a Surge drink.
[/quote]

Holy…Someone actually thinks like me?

irongutted · April 28, 2007, 2:54am

My views are close to that too.

topgun322 · April 28, 2007, 7:31pm

Well said X. Thats the kind of thing you like to hear from soneone like you so you dont always feels like you are missing something.

Sometimes I feel like I know so much crap that I dont know anything. It was easier when I just ate and lifted even if it might not of been optimal, I almost feel like it worked better.