I, Bodybuilder Logs Observation

Training Bodybuilding
21

Typically people who use online logs are looking for feedback. They want you to tell them how great they are doing…or how they suck. Those who have been in this for years don’t need that. My guess is that those high end folks who would really see results from this program simply aren’t logging.

Sometimes the best program for you is the one you’re currently not doing. I can see a lot of people seeing short term gains with this program simply because the majority of the people doing the program have likely been stuck in the 6-12 rep range for a decade and the drop to something heavier and more explosive will provide an overload stimulus.

The Anaconda protocol is also likely a drastic change from their usual peri-workout routine…yet another overload stimulus.

Alan

22

I am one of those people that havent posted a picture. Since you mentioned it though, i will try and get one up there. If you havent noticed i only tried the program out for a month to get the feel for it, then i switched back to a metal mulisha inspired routine. I am a powerlifter, who tried the IBB routine, because before i started powerlifting i was into strictly bodybuilding. Even though i am not a newbie, i still get excited by new routines. Also, if CT was talking about how all of his lifts went up to fast, i probably wouldnt have been so intrigued by the program.

Also, i am glad to hear that CT does plan on writing different variations of the program for powerlifters and such.

23

[quote]Professor X wrote:
You are right, they should have before, during and after pics if this is a bodybuilding program and their log is supposed to show all of their growth.

The fact that they aren’t should immediately tell you what kinds of people make up most of the ones creating the logs.

Therefore, the logs are mostly useless to even judge progress…because too many damn newbs and non-serious lifters will be first to toss one up.[/quote]

I look at the logs the same way I do my personal training journal – mainly for personal use. After all, why would anyone want to read through these?

Assuming that the powers that be feel the same way, it makes sense that they wouldn’t require photos.

24

[quote]MODOK wrote:
One thing I wish had happened was if CT and the two competitive guys he trained on the system had taken before pics. Also the little Nate Green guy that went out there to drink the Super Soldier Serum. For some reason, I thought we were going to get before and after pics of those guys.[/quote]

Agreed, with the enormous amount of effort that went into everything else, not taking beofre and after pics just seems weird.

25

CT mentioned before that he’s not a huge fan of using before/after sometimes because a lot of companies do this and will alter the pics. I disagreed with the logic, but that was one of his reason.

If I’m remembering incorrectly, I’m sure he’ll be along to fill us in. Figured I’d just throw that out there for the time being.

26

[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
CT mentioned before that he’s not a huge fan of using before/after sometimes because a lot of companies do this and will alter the pics. I disagreed with the logic, but that was one of his reason.

If I’m remembering incorrectly, I’m sure he’ll be along to fill us in. Figured I’d just throw that out there for the time being.[/quote]

I’m reluctant to post this because i don’t want to derail the thread but before and afters were fine when the were doing the physique clinic. In-fact they still use those to advertise Surge Workout fuel.

Before and afters were fine in CT’s beast evolves article.

And even if they weren’t “full on before and afters” for the purpose of this program, i would have thought competitive bodybuilders took them anyway for their own purposes.

Anyway, im just surprised is all, not trying to start a witch hunt.

27

[quote]stevo_ wrote:

[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
CT mentioned before that he’s not a huge fan of using before/after sometimes because a lot of companies do this and will alter the pics. I disagreed with the logic, but that was one of his reason.

If I’m remembering incorrectly, I’m sure he’ll be along to fill us in. Figured I’d just throw that out there for the time being.[/quote]

I’m reluctant to post this because i don’t want to derail the thread but before and afters were fine when the were doing the physique clinic. In-fact they still use those to advertise Surge Workout fuel.

Before and afters were fine in CT’s beast evolves article.

And even if they weren’t “full on before and afters” for the purpose of this program, i would have thought competitive bodybuilders took them anyway for their own purposes.

Anyway, im just surprised is all, not trying to start a witch hunt.[/quote]

I agree about the Physique Clinic. Those threads unfolded before our very eyes. Some truly and impressively transformed themselves given their goals, prescribed nutrition, and programs. Some failed.

The ones who succeeded stepped up mentally. THAT’S the difference. I would expect out of about 15 pages of I,BB Logs, each with about 35 logs (That’s roughly 530 logs, many of which are empty), there would be some distribution of EXCEPTIONAL gains, MODERATE gains, SMALL gains, NO gains, and complete washes (excuses, excuses).

They ALL have the SAME program outlined for them. The exceptional folks who will be the ones who step up and commit.

Theoretically, we’d see that unfold in semi-real time (like the Phys.Clinics)-- no magic or altered before/afters because the proof is right there in the numbers like dozens of people’s logs (male and female) in existing forums.

I’ve not seen any questionable advertising from Biotest like some other companies (like altered pics, etc.). Some hyperbole in the claims, but, hey, that’s marketing. A program like this (and to some exent, the physique clinic) is documented proof in real time. The problem is, there are no baselines anywhere! (or, they are yet to be posted/revealed which sort of takes away from the credibility having not seen them in the beginning).

28

Steely I hear what you are saying regarding additional information in the Training Logs. You know I don’t think there is a way to start your log in the I,BODYBUILDER forum without first entering a workout. Maybe there could be a way to have a top level post with starting stats and progress updates, that way everyone can see a quick summary and don’t have to sift thru all the posts of a thread.

Some people have posted progress however they are scattered thru the ANACONDA forum and other various posts.

I’ve been using the log to track my workouts and write comments about my workouts. Hopefully it helps someone on how to train around injuries or slightly alter the program if the required equipment is not available. Unless you completely change the format of the workouts, in which case you wouldn’t be performing I,BODYBUILDER, it takes 2 minutes to log a workout. And I like to refer back to the logs. I still refer back to PMs I’ve exchanged with people over the years.

I’ve been placing progress in another thread, about 7th post from bottom is my starting weight.

And progress pics are on the last page. The starting weight is from when I started using the Anaconda protocol. I started the IBB program in late November.

I realize now, nobody would have seen all this unless they constantly follow my threads.
I’ll post in both threads next time.

29

The original goal of the logs is not to be a product-selling strategy or even to show the world what you are doing. It is a tool that was built by the tech crew to help you apply the I,BODYBUILDER program and chart your workouts. Not everybody has a software to keep tract of what they are doing in the gym. The logs simply offer an easy way to do that.

It was never asked of the guys who follow the program to actually use the log, it is only something that is offered to them if they chose to use it. I know plenty of guys (heck, there are a few at the gym I train at from time to time) that follow the program without using the log, and I am sure that there are thousands of cases like that.

Just like the log is something you can decide to use (or not) those who want to share their pics can do that to (on the forum), but it is not something we ask. In fact we don’t ask anything. We simply offer things to help you do your best.

As far as the program being more a strength than size program… true, to an extent. I believe that gaining strength is, for most, the best way to gain overall size.

Now, some who already have a high level of strength might not grow optimally simply by increasing their strength and could need other methods.

This is why I always said that the I,BODYBUILDER program is ONLY the starting point, the introduction to the HTH approach. Many many more methods are used in the next programs.

In fact we are getting ready to film 3 new programs that are all different from one another. Each will represent a direction you can take your training while still respecting the HTH principles.

For example, one will follow in the footsteps of I,BODYBUILDER but with a few new techniques and a different training split.

Another one will be aimed at those who need or prefer a higher volume - lower frequency approach.

The last one will be aimed at producing overall growth through maximum overall strength gains.

It’s kinda like college: once you get into college you can choose different fields of study. But you must first get into college!

30

CT! Thanks for all you’ve done and are doing! I’m excited to hear that you will be rolling out more options for the program, giving us more guided choice to play with.

I take I,BB to be a bodybuilding program. I don’t care about strength unless it is the factor that will get me bigger. I would be careful reading too many people’s logs, however. I do not consider myself strong, especially compared to my training partners, so from the logs I’ve read I don’t see too many advanced lifters if I’m going by their training poundages. I am definitely glad that people are posting, though, that they’re excited about what they’re doing, monitoring their progress (possibly for the first time ever), and getting feedback from some great lifters.

The comment, “I’ve seen significant growth in 8 days” is a true statement from a beginning lifter. The first two weeks are designed to hit shoulders 3 days each week. Your muscles are going to experience some artificial growth from trauma, blood, nutrient absorption, etc…mine did! That finally went down after the first week of the back specialization program. Remember, Arnold did not start training body parts 2 to 3 days a week initially because he thought that would make them grown faster, he did it because he noticed that if he trained his chest on Monday, by Thursday it was flat again, all pump gone, and looked bad on the beach. He figured if he trained more often he would look good all year long.

I took my measurement before starting the program, and I will retake measuremets after finishing the entire first phase to see if I get any true growth. I want anything I put into my shoulders to last, not to just look good for two weeks. I’ll post my personal results after the program is over. If nothing else, I am loving the program! I feel renewed, even if that turns out to be just from doing something new!

If you’re truly curious about the program, read about it! CT has some amazing info and research to back up the program. Then, give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose!!!

31

Read all the training info and I have to say it’s the most informative I’ve found. Stuff like the perfect rep feauture, articles like that don’t come round often. The videos are great and the training logs. But my bullshit meters never gone off as hard as it did when that magic anaconda serum fell into place. Just me?

32

You’re on a website sponsored/created by a top of the line SUPPLEMENT company. You can’t “just” make a quality product, be it training or supplement. Sometimes you gotta lose your soul a little bit…

That being said, forget the Anaconda Protocol is even named “The Anaconda Protocol”. What is it? Lots of high quality nutrients, lots of liquid, all around your workout. I bet your peri-workout protocol before didn’t include 2 liters of liquid, over 160g protein and over 1100 calories.

Sometimes you gotta read between the lines. HTH is “Thib’s Baby”, he wrote the book on it like 3 years ago. You don’t hear a lot about it though mainly because of the dogma surrounding how to properly ‘get swole’. There are lots of good books written that fall off into the stratusphere somewhere mainly because there’s no “big muscle” behind it.

Biotest/T-Nation is the “big muscle” now behind HTH. I,Bodybuilder is just the next step in the HTH ideology. As stated by Thib himself, IBB is just step 1. There will be other programs to follow constructed on the HTH theme. Of course the pink elephant in the room is “Then why the hell all this fuss about Anaconda?” Scroll up to the top of the page and what do you see?

Programs and books about programs are dime a dozen, so you might as give just give those away (they are), getting people to believe in a supplement or supplement company? That’s the money maker. EXPECIALLY if the supplement actually works.

Alan