Exactly…they’ll see you are, in fact, human…seems to make people listen to what you say more once they see you have to work every bit as hard, or harder, than you. Until you put yourself out there, it’s easier for them to assume you have some advantage over them, excusing their lack of progress. Just my $0.02 of course.
Akuma, some interesting points have just been brought up, its good to see 3 of my most inspirational posters (you, MM and H4M) hanging out!
I think MM just hit the nail on the head about haters, so I won’t parrot him.
There’s nothing about bodybuilding or powerlifting that I can teach you that you, MM or H4M don’t already know, but what I can say to you Akuma, with some authority (as someone who’s peers/social group have seen me go, over ten years mind-no stretch marks 
from 155 LB skinny fat to about 230 LB at about 13% BF) That if you can’t handle vitriolic comments your in the wrong game my friend. You are a very bright, talented and capable guy from what I’ve seen, your ambition and drive is enough to upset any skinny fat couch potato/internet warrior with a jealous streak a mile long into passing on unhelpful criticism.
Don’t let these idiots contaminate your thought process and make you deviate from your goals. Grow a thick skin and stick to your plan
Get ready for it because it won’t stop I’m afraid, people will say and think anything to discredit your progress, I was accused of taking steroids for going up to 180 from 155 (I got to 230 at 20% BF without them) genetics apparently did the work for me (at 6.2 foot, 155 LB with tiny wrists and ankles-of course they were on my side)
A reporter once made a wise crack to the great Doug Hepburn once during an interview and said, in front of a crowd of people “what’s it like being all brawn and no brains?” to which he replied “I don’t know, what’s it like being neither?”
Akuma- good luck, stay focused, I for one, am backing you.
[quote]Akuma01 wrote:
[quote]supersets wrote:
Akuma, I don’t know if its out of line to ask a question here, especially considering I’m not much of a contributor to these forums, but I really believe you are one of the most knowledgable guys on here, especially when it comes to higher volume training.
I currently train my chest with flat dumbell press, incline smith press and dumbell flyes, all ramped to 1-2 top sets at 6-10 reps. I’m looking to up my volume, would you recommend I add more exercises (I’m not really sure exactly where I could go in this direction), or add more work sets with these exercises. Thanks a bunch.[/quote]
Hahah well i dont know about one of the most knowledge, but sure ill see if i can help-
Remember, you’re talking to King Overtrain here, im a huge fan of Volume: Now when you say Ramped up to 1-2 top sets, how many sets are you using for the ramping portion? If you are doing 1 lead in set into 2 max weight sets, id say yes you definitely need more sets of ramping. Generally speaking, a lot of beginner - moderate lifters like to bump as heavy as they can quick and early, usually sacrificing form/Rom. If you want to Pyramid, do it right, 4 or 5 sets, maybe decreasing reps from 15 to 12, to 10, to 8, to 6, increasing the weight each set. Starting out lighter usually allows people to end heavier AND use better form if they are working the movement properly.
Now personally, id throw in one more exercise too. Dips is a great exercise for developing the pec, if you can learn how to properly remove your tri from the movement and keep the brunt of the work in your pecs.[/quote]
You hit the nail on the head perfectly, I’m exactly the kinda guy who usually only does one warmup before his work sets, except maybe on my first exercise of a muscle group. It makes a lot of sense to add more steps to the pyramid, and I look forward to taking this to my workouts, Thanks.
[quote]supersets wrote:
[quote]Akuma01 wrote:
[quote]supersets wrote:
Akuma, I don’t know if its out of line to ask a question here, especially considering I’m not much of a contributor to these forums, but I really believe you are one of the most knowledgable guys on here, especially when it comes to higher volume training.
I currently train my chest with flat dumbell press, incline smith press and dumbell flyes, all ramped to 1-2 top sets at 6-10 reps. I’m looking to up my volume, would you recommend I add more exercises (I’m not really sure exactly where I could go in this direction), or add more work sets with these exercises. Thanks a bunch.[/quote]
Hahah well i dont know about one of the most knowledge, but sure ill see if i can help-
Remember, you’re talking to King Overtrain here, im a huge fan of Volume: Now when you say Ramped up to 1-2 top sets, how many sets are you using for the ramping portion? If you are doing 1 lead in set into 2 max weight sets, id say yes you definitely need more sets of ramping. Generally speaking, a lot of beginner - moderate lifters like to bump as heavy as they can quick and early, usually sacrificing form/Rom. If you want to Pyramid, do it right, 4 or 5 sets, maybe decreasing reps from 15 to 12, to 10, to 8, to 6, increasing the weight each set. Starting out lighter usually allows people to end heavier AND use better form if they are working the movement properly.
Now personally, id throw in one more exercise too. Dips is a great exercise for developing the pec, if you can learn how to properly remove your tri from the movement and keep the brunt of the work in your pecs.[/quote]
You hit the nail on the head perfectly, I’m exactly the kinda guy who usually only does one warmup before his work sets, except maybe on my first exercise of a muscle group. It makes a lot of sense to add more steps to the pyramid, and I look forward to taking this to my workouts, Thanks.[/quote]
One warmup set before working sets, ouch! Glad your ways have been corrected haha.
[quote]hungry4more wrote:
[quote]supersets wrote:
[quote]Akuma01 wrote:
[quote]supersets wrote:
Akuma, I don’t know if its out of line to ask a question here, especially considering I’m not much of a contributor to these forums, but I really believe you are one of the most knowledgable guys on here, especially when it comes to higher volume training.
I currently train my chest with flat dumbell press, incline smith press and dumbell flyes, all ramped to 1-2 top sets at 6-10 reps. I’m looking to up my volume, would you recommend I add more exercises (I’m not really sure exactly where I could go in this direction), or add more work sets with these exercises. Thanks a bunch.[/quote]
Hahah well i dont know about one of the most knowledge, but sure ill see if i can help-
Remember, you’re talking to King Overtrain here, im a huge fan of Volume: Now when you say Ramped up to 1-2 top sets, how many sets are you using for the ramping portion? If you are doing 1 lead in set into 2 max weight sets, id say yes you definitely need more sets of ramping. Generally speaking, a lot of beginner - moderate lifters like to bump as heavy as they can quick and early, usually sacrificing form/Rom. If you want to Pyramid, do it right, 4 or 5 sets, maybe decreasing reps from 15 to 12, to 10, to 8, to 6, increasing the weight each set. Starting out lighter usually allows people to end heavier AND use better form if they are working the movement properly.
Now personally, id throw in one more exercise too. Dips is a great exercise for developing the pec, if you can learn how to properly remove your tri from the movement and keep the brunt of the work in your pecs.[/quote]
You hit the nail on the head perfectly, I’m exactly the kinda guy who usually only does one warmup before his work sets, except maybe on my first exercise of a muscle group. It makes a lot of sense to add more steps to the pyramid, and I look forward to taking this to my workouts, Thanks.[/quote]
One warmup set before working sets, ouch! Glad your ways have been corrected haha. [/quote]
Haha thanks, I know as I continue to get stronger, those tips will end up being a lifesaver.
Well, being Turkish I have to hate you… haha just playing. Great progress over the years. I really wish I wouldnit of slacked off these last 3 years and wasted prime muscle building time. I give you a lot of respect for staying dedicated.
I saw Akuma today on Tosh.O… You’re pretty fast big guy 
http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=358621&title=kid-clocks-12
Well, im seriously expecting a shitstorm for this…but i guess we can call them my Pre cut photos. To make sure everyone’s clear, im going to go over stats once again-
height- 5’9
Weight- 256lbs
Arms- 20inch
Legs- 29inch
Calves- 19inch
Forearms- 15inch
Chest- Dunno, but got fitted for a suit the other day, and my suit top size is 50.
As you are about to see, the majority of my fat is stored in what i like to call my Kangaroo pouch- It is my lower midsection, and continues to the sides where it forms fantastic love handles. I hate my body, i hate these pics, and i hate that im actually putting some of these up. I refused to do shirtless…
My calves are extremely pumped, so unfortunately you could not see the normal striations.
[quote]Akuma01 wrote:
Calves closer.[/quote]
Have your calves been always big? cause from that angle your right calf looks huge.
[quote]MEYMZ wrote:
[quote]Akuma01 wrote:
Calves closer.[/quote]
Have your calves been always big? cause from that angle your right calf looks huge.[/quote]
No sir, thats just my calf routine at work.
As i said, im considering these pictures “Stage 1.”
Im simply waiting for the haters and Poonanies to come in and cause some shit. I will copy down names, and wait with anticipation until i release “Stage 2”…
[edit] im also guessing that this is the moment that this thread begins to die…oh well, it had a good run…*tear
You definetly have a good amount of size, I’m really interested to see what you’re going to look like dieted down.
Not that I’m in the position of criticizing a guy who probably has more muscle on the arms and calves than I have in my entire body, but considering the ‘before’ pics above I don’t think you are nearly as fat as you think you are…
Looking forward to see your progress and thanks for all the motivation/information you always bring to those forums
Naw man, you just look like a big guy with love handles…nothing to raise a shitstorm about. Excess body fat is the whole point of cutting in the first place, nothing to be ashamed about. I hate your calves and chest btw lol.
[quote]Akuma01 wrote:
As i said, im considering these pictures “Stage 1.”
Im simply waiting for the haters and Poonanies to come in and cause some shit. I will copy down names, and wait with anticipation until i release “Stage 2”…
[edit] im also guessing that this is the moment that this thread begins to die…oh well, it had a good run…*tear[/quote]