Physique Clinic discussion for Barti

Training Bodybuilding
533

[quote]MikeTheBear wrote:
1 hour 27 minutes. That’s how long it took me to go 27 miles on my bike ride today. That includes 4 complete stop and wait at stop lights and my chain falling off and I had to stop and put back on. When I got done with the ride, I felt so good.

That’s actually a very good pace. It’s over 18 mph using the raw time of 87 minutes, probably closer to 20 mph.

So, 87 minutes is the base that I will work on from here on out. Hopefully over the next six weeks, I can cut down 27 minutes. I think it would be a great accomplishment to do the bike in 60 miles.

You’ve got a fast bike with aerobars and all that. That’s great. I hate to break it to you but very good amateur triathletes average around 21-22 mph. An average of 25 mph is smokin’. The thing with cycling is that physics is working against you. The faster you go, the more wind resistance you have. A good aero position will help in this regard, but still. It’s a diminishing return curve. It takes like twice as much energy to increase your speed from 21 to 22 mph than it does from 15 to 16 mph. Well, maybe not twice as much, but you get the idea. So, it’s not so much about ability and fitness but physics. Your speed is very good for now. Focus on getting comfortable in the aerobars and getting a good pedaling stroke. Oh, and make sure you get lots of TITS. TITS will make you a happier cyclist. Focus on TITS and you’ll be sure to have a good ride.

*TITS = Time in the saddle. It’s a real acronym used by triathletes. Really.[/quote]

I love TITS. I focus on TITS all the time thought they aren’t my favorite part of the female body (sorry but you knew it was coming). I’m actually going on a 56 mile bike ride this weekend, so my TITS will start looking better (I could do this for days)

The aero bars are sketchy. I have tried to creep down on them a couple times and its fine on a nice, flat, straight stretch with nobody around me. It will take some time to get used to.

534

[quote]BigDug wrote:
Hi Bartl. Bloody excellent job, mate. You’ve really kicked ass on this clinic :slight_smile:

RE: stretch marks.
Dunno if you guys get this stuff in the States, but there’s a product called Bio-Oil which is supposed to be pretty good. It’s specifically for application to scars and stretch marks and a bunch of other stuff. I’ve read and heard good things about it. In fact, I’m getting some myself pretty soon. Check out the link and click on the More Info button

http://www.nutrisun.co.uk/bsearch.asp?action=search&brandq=bio%20oil&whichoption=

Good luck in the triathlon! All the best.[/quote]

YES! A SCOTSMAN! My family gene’s are predominately Scottish. My grandmother was born in Edinburgh and I have always wanted to go back and find her clan.

I will check that stuff out. Let me know if you like it.

535

[quote]WS4JB wrote:
so… I might catch some flack for this, but i gotta say it.

The coach’s may have made the right decision when hey didnt show your ass the door after your knee injury.

btw, invest in a tanning package, ya need some color, and ya dont want the top of your head getting burnt come race day.[/quote]

I don’t think you will catch any flack for that at all. I think the when I hurt my knee, the coaches knew it wasn’t something that I did to get out of doing work. That it was kind of a freak accident, but that up until that point I had been making really good progress with the program. So, I am eternally grateful that they didn’t “show my ass the door” because I wouldn’t be where I am at if they did.

I think it goes to show that there are more to the coaches than what we see in their articles. That they are people too and genuinely care about their clients and their clients well being.

BTW…I didn’t need surgery.

As for the tanning, I had to chuckle a little bit. I live in a place were I don’t need to fake and bake, I just need to get outside with my shirt off more. Now I have the confidence to do that. My head is actually pretty good. I will have to wear a cap swimming, my helmet riding and I was going to were a hat when I ran as well.

536

[quote]Bartl wrote:
Shugs, I need you to examine my brain for me.

I am enjoying my endurance training more that lifting right now. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

I mean, running, swimming, biking…it is all so much fun that I actually look forward to those days more than the weight days (sorry Thibs).

This is an easy one: you basically have a whole new body now, and you’re seeing what you can do with it. You’ve been “strong fat guy” for a long time, athletic yes, but somewhat limited by 55 or more pounds of baggage. That 55 pound anchor is gone now, and the rest of the active world is opening up to you.

You’ve always been an athlete, even as a fat guy you were active, but now there are a lot more things out there you can excel at. You’re being rewarded (the new sports are fun and exciting and you’re doing well at them already) so you want to repeat them.

The gym will always be your base, I’m sure, as it’ll enhance the other stuff, but I see you getting into all kinds of things you haven’t tried yet. Maybe rock climbing will be next, who knows?! Now that’s an activity that rewards the newly non-fat guy! [/quote]

Wow, this is like deja vu. I went through this same thing when I started doing triathlons. It’s actually cool to be able to do two things that everyone thinks are complete polar opposites - endurance and weights. I firmly believe that weight training will improve your performance in endurance events, especially the bike and swim. But don’t ever mention this on a triahtlon forum.

I actually volunteered to be a moderator for a strength training subforum on a triathlon forum. We had to form a separate subforum so we could go somewhere safe and discuss strength training because the debates as to whether strength training improves performance got so ugly. You’ll find that you may eventually go through phases where you prefer endurance over weights and vice versa.

For instance, right now I’m doing more weights and less endurance stuff. Power cleans and deadlifts seem “new” again. Once the whether warms up here (I live in Colorado) I’ll get the bike out and hit the road to train for a 63 mile mountain bike race in July. Enjoy having these diverse interests. Done right, the two will complement and enhance each other. You can be strong and have good endurance. You will never be bored with training.

537

[quote]MikeTheBear wrote:
Bartl wrote:
Shugs, I need you to examine my brain for me.

I am enjoying my endurance training more that lifting right now. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

I mean, running, swimming, biking…it is all so much fun that I actually look forward to those days more than the weight days (sorry Thibs).

This is an easy one: you basically have a whole new body now, and you’re seeing what you can do with it. You’ve been “strong fat guy” for a long time, athletic yes, but somewhat limited by 55 or more pounds of baggage. That 55 pound anchor is gone now, and the rest of the active world is opening up to you.

You’ve always been an athlete, even as a fat guy you were active, but now there are a lot more things out there you can excel at. You’re being rewarded (the new sports are fun and exciting and you’re doing well at them already) so you want to repeat them.

The gym will always be your base, I’m sure, as it’ll enhance the other stuff, but I see you getting into all kinds of things you haven’t tried yet. Maybe rock climbing will be next, who knows?! Now that’s an activity that rewards the newly non-fat guy!

Wow, this is like deja vu. I went through this same thing when I started doing triathlons. It’s actually cool to be able to do two things that everyone thinks are complete polar opposites - endurance and weights. I firmly believe that weight training will improve your performance in endurance events, especially the bike and swim. But don’t ever mention this on a triahtlon forum.

I actually volunteered to be a moderator for a strength training subforum on a triathlon forum. We had to form a separate subforum so we could go somewhere safe and discuss strength training because the debates as to whether strength training improves performance got so ugly. You’ll find that you may eventually go through phases where you prefer endurance over weights and vice versa.

For instance, right now I’m doing more weights and less endurance stuff. Power cleans and deadlifts seem “new” again. Once the whether warms up here (I live in Colorado) I’ll get the bike out and hit the road to train for a 63 mile mountain bike race in July. Enjoy having these diverse interests. Done right, the two will complement and enhance each other. You can be strong and have good endurance. You will never be bored with training.[/quote]

You have no idea how weird it is. My friend who is training for his half ironman won’t even talk to me about strength training. Its not that he training for a super long race, he just won’t entertain the idea that you can be strong and be good at endurance sports. Plus, he doesn’t want to get “big”. lol.

I’m with you though, I firmly believe that strength training can help with endurance training, especially the Olympic lifts.

538

Hey Barl i hear you on your decision.
I made exact same decision minus the trainers etc 1 yr ago :slight_smile:

Just add weed and ectasy every weekend plus your you have my life.

I just happened into your physique clinic clicking on cts name and i saw that and i just had to respond.
BUT i will tell you this with our without Biotest you someday would have done it, dont feel thoroughly indebted to Biotest they opened the door… you had to walk through it. Something i get the feeling novagreg hasnt done yet.

I hope TC gives you a chance to write here. He has brilliant mind and tells it like it is/was you have the same abilities i would say. I got his book, who knows 10 yrs down the line you could make one on how there is ALWAYS hope you just have to believe and things will come right.

The best to you and yours, you have a new suscriber one who does mean it when he says well the fuck done :slight_smile:

539

[quote]Corkonian wrote:
Hey Barl i hear you on your decision.
I made exact same decision minus the trainers etc 1 yr ago :slight_smile:

Just add weed and ectasy every weekend plus your you have my life.

I just happened into your physique clinic clicking on cts name and i saw that and i just had to respond.
BUT i will tell you this with our without Biotest you someday would have done it, dont feel thoroughly indebted to Biotest they opened the door… you had to walk through it. Something i get the feeling novagreg hasnt done yet.

I hope TC gives you a chance to write here. He has brilliant mind and tells it like it is/was you have the same abilities i would say. I got his book, who knows 10 yrs down the line you could make one on how there is ALWAYS hope you just have to believe and things will come right.

The best to you and yours, you have a new suscriber one who does mean it when he says well the fuck done :slight_smile:

[/quote]

Its a crazy world we live in man. I will bare all in my story. Trust me, weed, ecstasy, coke, mushrooms, opium, acid…you name it, I’ve done it.

But I am not sure if you are right about me being able to do it on my own. You, as I am sure know, that lifestyle is addicting. The nightlife, girls, sex, drugs, money…its a crazy way to live and I needed to get as far from that as possible.

You are right though but I think of it a different way. I opened the door and needed someone to kick me through it. Biotest, Thibs and Shugs gave me some good swift kicks in the ass to make it happen because they held me responsible for my actions and those are two guys you don’t want to disappoint.

540

Ha would you believe i hired CT last week this is my 1st week with him :slight_smile:
I know exactly how you feel !
But ya me suppose took longer, had to dump ALOT of my mates, did a massive pruning of my phonebook… drugs well im stoned now but if you believe in the weird article pheonix theory i saw your post and BAM here i am attempting to write logical sentences.

Tomorrow my nutrition will be spot on, party lifesyle i did tone ALOT down i now decide to finish and fully commit myself to my future self !
Cheers man, best of luck with your life.

Regards.

541

Wow…don’t know what to say. Simply amazing.

http://www.yourethemannowdog.com/

Just sit back, close your eyes, and let it play.

542

Wow, that’s really amazing Bartl, makes me think about how hard you’ve worked and overcoming substance abuse. You’re looking really great, and honestly you’ve come so far. That’s awesome that you would open up and tell your story, it’s really mind boggling me for me to imagine going cold turkey and training your ass off. That’s true willpower ! I’m looking forward to that article.

Plus your tattoo looks so much more awesome now!

Sarah

543

Bartl I was just reading your most recent post. The fact that you were abusing drugs, and changed your life style is nothing short of amazing. You have made some fantastic physical changes, and I would suppose some even greater mental changes.

I am really looking foward to your article about your transformation when it comes out. Just as the coaches here were able to change you life around, you will probably have the same effect with your story. Good luck to you man, you are truly a winner!

544

Dude, I was already VERY impressed with your clinic’s success. To know that you’ve overcome not just some bad eating habits, but serious substance abuse makes it that much more impressive. I know what it’s like walking away from “that world” and into something else. It’s great that this clinic provided a positive direction for you and something to focus your energy on other than the party scene. Great work so far and I wish you much success as you continue on your path.

545

[quote]tropicalshoes wrote:
Wow, that’s really amazing Bartl, makes me think about how hard you’ve worked and overcoming substance abuse. You’re looking really great, and honestly you’ve come so far. That’s awesome that you would open up and tell your story, it’s really mind boggling me for me to imagine going cold turkey and training your ass off. That’s true willpower ! I’m looking forward to that article.

Plus your tattoo looks so much more awesome now!

Sarah
[/quote]

Thanks sarah. It is weird to hear you say substance abuse because I never really thought of it like that. I just liked doing drugs and did them all the time. I guess you can’t see it that way until you are out of it.

546

[quote]butterbean43 wrote:
Bartl I was just reading your most recent post. The fact that you were abusing drugs, and changed your life style is nothing short of amazing. You have made some fantastic physical changes, and I would suppose some even greater mental changes.

I am really looking foward to your article about your transformation when it comes out. Just as the coaches here were able to change you life around, you will probably have the same effect with your story. Good luck to you man, you are truly a winner![/quote]

It is amazing. The problem is there are people out there who have worse problems than I had that need help. Hopefully something can effect their lives in a way to where they will want to make a change.

Thanks again.

547

[quote]jstines wrote:
Dude, I was already VERY impressed with your clinic’s success. To know that you’ve overcome not just some bad eating habits, but serious substance abuse makes it that much more impressive. I know what it’s like walking away from “that world” and into something else. It’s great that this clinic provided a positive direction for you and something to focus your energy on other than the party scene. Great work so far and I wish you much success as you continue on your path. [/quote]

Thanks jstines. I have said it before in my thread many times, that I am eternally grateful for being picked to be in this clinic. I think now people are going to realize that I wasn’t just trying to kiss the coaches ass when I said that, that there was something else that was having me say that.

548

Bartl,

Holy shit, man. I honestly can’t think of a way for your transformation to get any more impressive. I admit that I didn’t have a ton of faith in you at the very beginning of the clinic, but sweet Jesus you completely proved me wrong.

Well done, sir.

549

Damn bro! Drugs, booze, smokes and fat all kicked this year! One hell of a good start for the year. You’re truly an insperation to so many different groups of people. Keep going stong, you’re almost there!

550

Man,

After reading that last bit about your past, I am glad you got away from the blow.  Besides the possible damage to your body, the legal consequences could be disastrous.  Believe me when I tell u I know.  I had some very personal losses from dope, 2.5 yrs worth of my freedom, so it makes me happy to see u get away from that shit.

On another note, from your background, you sound alot like me. Former NCAA division 1 football player and big man myself. For u to bench 225 for 28 reps as a freshman is insane. Basically, you are a strong ass mo-fo. My question is now, do you ever have this feeling of smallness?

I mean, you have no whittled yourself into a lean mean 200 which is a quantum leap from what you are used to. I ask because I see alot of similarities with your background, and I am doing my own PC if u follow me. Any thoughts bro?

Massimo

551

Thankyou Bartl, your an inspiration.

552

Bartl,

Thanks for sharing.