[quote]samoth2 wrote:
I like the change to real dips. They’re more manly after all haha.
Have you tried adding instant coffee/cinnamon like I suggested? I have not trouble getting my BCAA’s down when I add that.[/quote]
Bench dips feel way better for tricep focus to me, but it’s no good if the set-up makes the strength curve/difficulty slightly different every time, thus making progressive overload difficult. The only reason 4 20k’s is loadable without a training partner is a/luck and b/they are smaller in width then normal 20s.
I’ve not tried it yet, I have both of these though, so how are you mixing it? If your simply adding it to your shakes and I will definitely have to try it. [/quote]
I’m just adding it in the shakes. Simple but it takes the bad taste.
[quote]samoth2 wrote:
I’m just adding it in the shakes. Simple but it takes the bad taste.[/quote]
I’ll definitely try it tomorrow, sound infinitely better then adding squash/energy drink, haha. 15g right now of dextrose really does not cover up the taste of 11g of eaa per shake, 5g of bcaa and 5g of creatine…
I can physically feel my chest stretching and am seeing growth/stretch mark changes in chest/delt areas. Also starting to get considerably more vascular then I’ve ever been before. Must be doing something right.
Back at home from University meaning I’m back in the spit and sawdust gym / my own power rack, very 'cited about where my training could head this summer.
5/3/1 Squat / Legs
Squat
117.5/259 x 5 < felt hard, need to squat beltless more - add belt - 135/298 x 3 - 150/331 x 2 < I will enjoy hitting squat hard again, this should definitely be a 5+ rep weight.
Lying Leg Curl
25/55 x 8 - 30/66 x 6 - 35/77 x 3.5 < missed lying leg curl.
Leg Press (barefoot/low seat angle/deep)
Sled + 331 x 10 - 419 x 10 - 507 x 2 < my leg press sucks, even if this 80s one srs needs oiling.
Hack Squat (a2g, obv)
1pps x 10 - 1pps + 5/11 x 8 < missed you.
Standing Calf Raise Machine (setting no.)
10 x 7 - 12 x 6 - 14 x 6 - 16 x 4.5 - drop 14 x some - 12 x some - 10 x some
Feeling great despite the amount of carbs so far, general hunger is definitely there through taking in considerably less then half of my normal calories but zero calorie sodas have been getting me through. I’m not taking my numbers too seriously this week, that is for once I’m back from 'Biza. Not weighing myself until the day I travel, for the mental edge.
[quote]Jab1 wrote:
Nice session. One thing I miss about gyms is all the other fancy equipment for legs. [/quote]
Yeah, I am probably smolov’ing the squat again post-ibiza, but generally, I really love:
Hack Squat
Proper lying leg curl
Leg press that actually goes deep
Power Squat
Proper set calf raise
There is even a horizontal leg press that actually allows for decent weight to be used, up to around 350kg I believe, compared to “fitness gyms” typically 200ish. Needless to say, I’m anticipating the biggest gains of all time this summer. Dumbbells to 165 omgomgomg
[quote]Jab1 wrote:
Nice session. One thing I miss about gyms is all the other fancy equipment for legs. [/quote]
Yeah, I am probably smolov’ing the squat again post-ibiza, but generally, I really love:
Hack Squat
Proper lying leg curl
Leg press that actually goes deep
Power Squat
Proper set calf raise
There is even a horizontal leg press that actually allows for decent weight to be used, up to around 350kg I believe, compared to “fitness gyms” typically 200ish. Needless to say, I’m anticipating the biggest gains of all time this summer. Dumbbells to 165 omgomgomg[/quote]
Legz <3
I just find the horizontal leg presses weird since you have to start from the bottom. No way I’m flexible enough for that.
165lbs I assume? My gym has dumbbells up to 100kg, just doing something with them at one point would be pretty cool.
[quote]Jab1 wrote:
Nice session. One thing I miss about gyms is all the other fancy equipment for legs. [/quote]
Yeah, I am probably smolov’ing the squat again post-ibiza, but generally, I really love:
Hack Squat
Proper lying leg curl
Leg press that actually goes deep
Power Squat
Proper set calf raise
There is even a horizontal leg press that actually allows for decent weight to be used, up to around 350kg I believe, compared to “fitness gyms” typically 200ish. Needless to say, I’m anticipating the biggest gains of all time this summer. Dumbbells to 165 omgomgomg[/quote]
[quote]Jab1 wrote:
Nice session. One thing I miss about gyms is all the other fancy equipment for legs. [/quote]
Yeah, I am probably smolov’ing the squat again post-ibiza, but generally, I really love:
Hack Squat
Proper lying leg curl
Leg press that actually goes deep
Power Squat
Proper set calf raise
There is even a horizontal leg press that actually allows for decent weight to be used, up to around 350kg I believe, compared to “fitness gyms” typically 200ish. Needless to say, I’m anticipating the biggest gains of all time this summer. Dumbbells to 165 omgomgomg[/quote]
Where in the UK are you? Where I live the gym with the biggest dumbbells are 50kg and the leg press is crappy and only goes up to 200kg. I can’t wait to get to uni where the gym will be much better equipped.
[quote]The Rattler wrote:
Where in the UK are you? Where I live the gym with the biggest dumbbells are 50kg and the leg press is crappy and only goes up to 200kg. I can’t wait to get to uni where the gym will be much better equipped.
[/quote]
Hey man, I’m back in my hometown of Barnsley after graduating from Leeds Uni where I spent 3 years training at the uni gym there. Where about are you based? 50kg DBs seems to be the typical standard in UK gyms, but spit and sawdust gyms are scattered all over the UK and are much better, especially for bodybuilding. Most leg press’s aren’t great but can usually fit at 8pps or more on, so yeah 200kg sucks!
5/3/1 Bench / Chest
Bench Press
78/172 x 5 - 88/193 x 3 - wrist wraps - 98/216 x 2
Unracking is so much better in my home gym power rack then a stand bench press station, feeling very positive about where my pressing will go this summer.
Barbell Incline (1-2 inches from chest/constant tension)
70/154 x 6 - 76/168 x 6 - 80/176 x 6 PR - 85/187 x 2 PR - 60/132 x 22 Widowmaker PR
Inc. DB Fly w/2 sec. stretch
12.6/28s x 10
Really great chest pump today despite relatively low volume. Real happy with how benching felt, should be on to take it up quite a few levels this summer. Will probably be trying for 125kg/275lb in 12 weeks using coan bench.
Also attended my second ever bodybuilding show today, NPA (natural physique association). Some absolutely awesome physiques and mate of mine who posted in rate my physique/bodybuilding section on here (adh) won his class (juniors) very convincingly and has qualified for british championships. Very inspiring to see some huge natty physiques. Shattering illusions of ‘natural potential’ so, so much.
[quote]The Rattler wrote:
Where in the UK are you? Where I live the gym with the biggest dumbbells are 50kg and the leg press is crappy and only goes up to 200kg. I can’t wait to get to uni where the gym will be much better equipped.
[/quote]
Hey man, I’m back in my hometown of Barnsley after graduating from Leeds Uni where I spent 3 years training at the uni gym there. Where about are you based? 50kg DBs seems to be the typical standard in UK gyms, but spit and sawdust gyms are scattered all over the UK and are much better, especially for bodybuilding. Most leg press’s aren’t great but can usually fit at 8pps or more on, so yeah 200kg sucks!
[/quote]
I’m down in Hertfodshire currently finishing off my A-levels and the best gym is (unfortunately) a Fitness First in town. My school gym is very under equipped so it’s the best of a bad situation. How did you find the gym in Leeds? I’m hoping to go there myself this September and from what I could see it was definitely better than where I train now.
My leg press is one of those crappy ones where you move yourself on a chair. The angle feels weird and it isn’t plate loaded so there’s nothing I can do about it.
EDIT: Your training looks good and very similar to mine. Keep at it. Apart from the squat (injuries suck) our numbers are very similar.
[quote]The Rattler wrote:
I’m down in Hertfodshire currently finishing off my A-levels and the best gym is (unfortunately) a Fitness First in town. My school gym is very under equipped so it’s the best of a bad situation. How did you find the gym in Leeds? I’m hoping to go there myself this September and from what I could see it was definitely better than where I train now.
My leg press is one of those crappy ones where you move yourself on a chair. The angle feels weird and it isn’t plate loaded so there’s nothing I can do about it.
EDIT: Your training looks good and very similar to mine. Keep at it. Apart from the squat (injuries suck) our numbers are very similar.
[/quote]
I’m in this for life, that’s for sure. Yes the fitness first sounds limiting, if your planning to go to Leeds University ‘The Edge’ is the uni gym and it is pretty well equipped. Not properly specced for bodybuilding/hardcore training but still 2 platforms, 2 power racks, 2 smiths, enough general equipment. I would recommend trianing at Rall’s gym where Andy Bolton trains if your more interest in powerlifting, if not it might not be the best environment for bodybuilding. Lot’s of hardcore gyms around leeds though and plenty of adequate ones around the city centre.
[quote]The Rattler wrote:
I’m down in Hertfodshire currently finishing off my A-levels and the best gym is (unfortunately) a Fitness First in town. My school gym is very under equipped so it’s the best of a bad situation. How did you find the gym in Leeds? I’m hoping to go there myself this September and from what I could see it was definitely better than where I train now.
My leg press is one of those crappy ones where you move yourself on a chair. The angle feels weird and it isn’t plate loaded so there’s nothing I can do about it.
EDIT: Your training looks good and very similar to mine. Keep at it. Apart from the squat (injuries suck) our numbers are very similar.
[/quote]
I’m in this for life, that’s for sure. Yes the fitness first sounds limiting, if your planning to go to Leeds University ‘The Edge’ is the uni gym and it is pretty well equipped. Not properly specced for bodybuilding/hardcore training but still 2 platforms, 2 power racks, 2 smiths, enough general equipment. I would recommend trianing at Rall’s gym where Andy Bolton trains if your more interest in powerlifting, if not it might not be the best environment for bodybuilding. Lot’s of hardcore gyms around leeds though and plenty of adequate ones around the city centre. [/quote]
Okay thanks for the info. I’ll be sure to check that gym out and also just look around but for the time being the Edge should be okay.
^ As you’ll see in the luls-worth video, on both sets smaller plates were falling off between reps in my home gym. Think I’m lifting from a slight deficit compared to normal plates too so the numbers don’t bother me too much.
531 Deadlift
Deadlift
Hook grip/beltless - 147/324 x 3 - beltless/mixed - 167/368 x 3 - belt/mixed - 185/408 x 4 - 183/403 x 4
@ryan: Thanks man, I’m feeling decent on RFL though overall my strength is down a bit I’m definitely not feeling weak or lacking energy day to day.
@rattler: To be honest, the edge is pretty great overall besides how busy it is at peak times.
Posing video is uploading. Obviously I’m “flat/depleted” and this is basically natural light and being washed out, so I can assure you I appear a couple stages leaner in the flesh (especially abdominal area and side poses, which are looking pretty tight), but this is a fairly accurate assessment overall.
I consider RFL a great success for only 5 days (6 including most of today). Don’t visually appear to have lost any muscle and arm measurements are exactly the same as they were before RFL/cutting carbs at all.
Last day of RFL today, I won’t get chance to clock it tomorrow morning so here are my stats:
Weight: 185.4! (assuming lots of water weight lost, but obviously fat too)
Waist: 31 7/8"
Vacuum: 29 7/8"
It will be interesting to see what I weigh after Ibiza…
