Let me introduce myself...

Training Bodybuilding
1

Hi guys,

I’ve been training seriously for about 6 months. I started out doing olympic lifts for a few months, then I tried to do some more high volume lifting.

I’ve been reading a lot of articles here, doing research, and just having fun at this great site. Once I read a lot, I started to trust Biotest (especially hearing Charles Poliquin had something to do with it), so I ordered some stuff. I got the Tribex, M, and ZMA. I did make gains, but I can’t isolate these as the cause, BUT, I did notice more facial hair (I’m 18) and some other “evidence” that I don’t think you guys want to hear about :slight_smile:

Since those products seemed to work, I decided to get rid of my fat. I started dieting and was seeing some nice results (4 lbs a week). But something came up and I started to get impatient, so I ordered Hot Rox to speed things up. I also decided to get the Surge and Power Drive, since they seem like good products. Well, this is only the third day on that stuff, but I have a few comments. Surge TASTES GREAT. It tastes like these cookies I used to eat around Christmas time. I’m dead serious…I don’t mean “it tastes like cookies, with chalk as an ingredient” like when I used to say other products tastes “good”. And the energy I get from the Hot Rox and the Power Drive is wonderful! It’s GREAT for at work. I also started the meltdown training, and it’s fun because I haven’t been doing any heavy lifting in a while.

I’ll give some numbers (cold) of me for future reference when I lose a ton of weight.

Height: 6’1
Weight: 210 lbs (probably 18-20% BF)
Chest: 48.5"
Waist: 35.5"
Hips: 37"
Biceps: 16.5"
Forearms: 13.5"
Thigh: 26.5"
Calves: 16.75"
Neck: 19.375"

As you can tell I need some work.

I do have some pictures of my fat butt for those interested:

That one is me letting my gut hang out so you can see how fat I really am. Sorry for the horrible quality…I didn’t have someone to take one of me.

This one is a front pose…yes, my arms are tiny and I have man boobs.

This is one of my back. Probably one of my better assets.

And this one I’m flexing my shoulders and upper back more.

I don’t have to many numbers for max lifts, but I have a couple:

Squat 10 deg. below parallel: 325 lbs
Clean and push press: 225 lbs
Bench: 250 lbs (only train incline)
Deadlift: 345 lbs (limited by grip)
Stiff leg deadlift: 315 lbs easy

So it’s been fun seeing results, and I’ve been spreading the word of this place and of Biotest products.

So anyway, just thought I’d introduce myself.

Take care,
Neil

2

Hello.

3

Looks like you’ve been putting a lot of the information here on T-Mag to good use.

Congrats, keep up the good work, and welcome aboard! (grin)

4

bullshit

5

You’re 18, you shouldn’t need tribex or M. Your male hormones should be raging hardcore as it is. When you are young is when you can make the most gains without the assistance of anything. If you have been reading all of this, you should know better.

6

Hi. That’s impressive if you were losing 4 lbs. a week of fat. One suggestion would be to have your bodyfat testing pn a regular basis to track your progress. You want to be sure you’re losing fat & not muscle.

Keep reading the articles on this site. There is a wealth of good info here!

7

Welcome.

You’re certainly stirring up a ruckus. Even though I don’t agree with all of your points: Nice work.

8

18??? Consider shaving that mustache it makes you look 35…anyway…welcome aboard.

9

Neil, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You’re doing well for yourself. Keep focused, keep reading and keep trying. If you want some advice, help etc without the flames, PM me. Don’t be scared off by the shit around here, just keep learning and progressing.

10

You’re headed in the right direction Neil. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing as far as reading and research go, this webpage is an invaluable tool.

11

Not too bad for 6 months training, that’s for sure.

Although yeah, I agree, the 'stache has got to go. Really. :slight_smile:

12

Decent pics.

You look a bit smooth, although not fat, I would more guess around 15-17%.

One thing I’m wondering about is your neck measurement. Normally, AFAIK, people’s neck’s (one’s that look average ie not extra thick) seem to measure the same as their biceps. Your’s though is much larger, and in your pics your neck doesnt look that thick. Maybe it’s the angle or something. Have you done neck work?

I agree, shave the stache…

13

I’m curious about the quality of your deadlifts.

It’s generally well known that if you have proper posterior chain development you should be able to DL 2/3 of what you can squat. So why is your DL so much higher than your squat? Do you have serious muscle imbalance favouring your posterior chain? (I find this unlikely since you’re young, not a sprinter by any means, and if like 98% of the population would be quad dominant).
I ask this especially since you said your DL was limited by your grip…that should mean that your squat should be well above 400 lbs.

14

Boogie Nights fan? :slight_smile:

15

ND

what the hell are you talking about?

Generally known that your DL will be 2/3 of your squat?
Most RAW lifters have a squat that is lower than their deadlifts. (also depends on the persons leverage structure)
Once you add a suit, your squat will generally increase to above your DL (and if you have a few that allows shallow squats, it increases massively)

16

ND,

I definitely have a natural imbalance. I need to hit the heavy squats more.

Antiliberal,

I don’t know if it’s the angle or not, but I’ve always had a large neck. When I was young, my doctor thought I had a problem with a swollen thyroid because my neck was large, but that was not the case. The thing that pisses me off is that dress shirts are a pain in the butt to find because tapered shirts around here don’t go above an 18" neck.

Take care,
Neil

17

cycomike: If I’m wrong about the 2/3 thing I appologize. I’m sure I read it in one of the articles of T-mag. I’m not sure which, and who wrote it unfortunately, so I can’t quote a source. I did a quick search for hamstrings, but didn’t turn up anything. So I’ll keep checking.

I don’t think I’m worng though because I remember having read it, and made was excited when I found during my next hamstring workout that I was up there thanks to my competitive sprinting background.

18

ND - Bud, you’re wrong about the 2/3 thing. Whether your squat or deadlift is higher is going to depend on a lot of structural issues.

19

I stand corrected! My appologies.