Obligatory Introduction

Bigger Stronger Leaner Over 35 Lifter
1

Dan.
42yo.
5’11", 205lbs or so.
Not particularly married to one dogma of training, or style. Hell, I’m not even really sure why I do this anymore. Other than I’ve done it since high school, and even now, I wake up around 4am, absolutely consumed with getting to the gym and training.

I’ve been lurking on here for about 3mo’s now, and you guys at this site have provided more real, usable info than any site I’ve ever checked out. So, I thought I’d actually join up, with the thought that maybe, in return for all the great info, just maybe I can contribute something, even if I can just be the example of ‘what not to do’.

Right now, my training partner (little bastard is half my age) and I are on the 4th week of “Dave Tate: My Greatest Gains Ever”. Partner has gained about 12lbs of quality mass. And this guy works construction after he leaves the iron. I’m afraid I cannot say exactly what my gain is, but my pants are actually looser at the waist, and my shirts are tighter.

Oh, I will mention this in passing, I’ve had two low back surgeries for herniated, extruded discs at L4/L5, L5/S1. I relate this to you not for any sympathy or as to make an excuse. Simply as a preface to the fact you will not see me post any of the mad numbers I’ve read about here on back squats. The last surgery was Jan of '13. I began to put legs back in rotation seriously this Jan, so I’ve made great progress (for me), by utilizing front squats, lunges, and a very forgiving seated leg press. Up till then, from about May last year, most leg work was sprinting.

Again, I truly appreciate all the knowledge on this site, and respect and admire all the work that went into developing the protocols. I’v benefited more since Thanksgiving than any other period on my training. Thank you all.

dan

2

First!!!

Welcome, Dan. I’m not familiar with that particular program of Dave Tate, what does it involve?

Your training partner, is he getting stronger faster than you?

3

Evenin’ Cav,
this is the program we finishin’ now: My Greatest Gains Ever: Dave Tate

Partner is 28yo, I believe. Former Army, about 175lbs now. Just prior to beginning this program, he weighed in at 160lbs. He just checked in at 172lbs, but has to tie the draw string on his sweats pants. The transformation of his musculature, especially his mid and upper back and arms is envious.
Is he getting stronger faster? Hard to say. He’s confided that he’s never really trained this intensely before. It may just be that the gains are easier for me to see in him, than in myself. I know that today was the LegsBackBi’s day, and that prior to today, I’ve always ‘assisted’ him in the last 7-10 seconds of the third set of the close Tbar rows, and wide cable pull downs. Today, he had zero trouble pounding thru the last set of 45 seconds. Me, well, I still felt it, though, throughout the program, I rarely had to have an assist. I also have a very hard time allowing myself to be too proud, for fear of looking arrogant. IF you’re interested, I can post the exercises and lbs used for the program mentioned above.

dan

4

Welcome Dan. You’ll find this is a great group. I look forward to your progress.

5

thanks, Crip.
All the info here is head and shoulder (presses) above any other site I’ve visited.

dan

6

Here is the breakdown of the exercises / wts (lbs) used in the program http://www.T-Nation.com/…_ever_dave_tate

Chest, Shld, Tris
A. Dumbell Flat Bench / 80lbs, 40lbs
Precor Pec Deck / 140, 70

*Seated overhead d’bells / 50, 25
Lateral d’bell raises / 20, 10

Ez bar ca press down / 150, 75                                           
CGBP (smith) / 100, 50

B. Incline d’bells / 75’s, 40’s
Hi to Lo ca x’overs / 70, 35

Ez Front delt raises / 45, bar                                                  
D'bell shrugs / 60's, 30's                                                          

Nosebreakers / 75, 45                                                             
Rope pulldowns / 100, 50

Legs, Back, Bis
A. Leg Press / 180, 90
SLDL / 100, 50

Tbar Row (palms facing in) / 70, 35
Wide Ca Lat pulldowns / 120, 60

Ez Bar curls / 64, 45
Hammers / 30, 15

B. Lying leg curls / 65, 35
Extensions / 100, 50

Rev Lat pulldowns / 120, 60
Tbar rows wide / 70, 35

Kneeling ca curls / 60, 30
Incl d'bell curls / 20's, 10's

*seated, not standing
So there it is. The weights stayed the same, the time under load each week has progressed from 30sec, to 35, to 40, and this week to 45seconds.

lemme know what ya think.

dan

7

Ok, sorry. That did not show up like I’d hoped. And its close to nite-nite for me.
You can probably figger it out, based on the program, but if this too dikked up for anyone to waste their effort on, I’ll repost tomorrow.

apologies.
dan

8

welcome! keep on keepin’ on!

9

Will Do, Hawk.

thanks,

dan

10

Welcome. I also am an early lifter, 4 am is the only quiet part of my day.

11

Welcome and good luck in your training endeavors.

12

Again, gents. Thank you for the “welcome”.

Dan

13

Question:
Should I repeat this program, with the same weights, in an attempt to “beat the clock” and finish each set with complete, full reps?

In other words, there were some instances of half reps, long negatives, or an assist from my partner. In repeating the cycle, my objective would be to have clean reps 100% of the time.
Also, we’ve included some ‘conditioning’ work at the close of each workout the last two weeks, based on the article (6 Ball-Busting Finishers). I think its helped, and would like to try the cycle again, with conditioners included at day one.

Or, do you guys have a ‘go to’ workout that you do at the conclusion of a specialized routine?

dan

14

Welcome Dan, look forward to your posts. I also have herniated discs L3-5 sustained about same age as you . I am now 47 and look forward to seeing your progress post surgery.