Now feed those “guns” and watch them grow. 
SOME WISDOM FROM DAVE TATE
Following are some nuggets of wisdom from Iron Radio episode #112, where the guest was Dave Tate. Everybody knows Dave. Recently, after years of being fat and powerful he got sensationally ripped by following the advice of my hero John Berardi. He’s also had to give up the physically punishing power lifting lifestyle and has since turned to the dark side… bodybuilding. He had some awesome things to say about the transition, and the “snobbery” of PL towards BB.
On Work Vs. Weight
Since leaving the sport [of power lifting] most of my training has shifted into the ‘bodybuilding’ type training. It’s easier on the joints and there’s a lot of other factors involved. Some of the best gains that I’ve made as far as that kind of training have nothing to do with the amount of weight that I’m lifting. When you get older and you get beat up you move the dumbbells slower.
If I’m going to do lying flat dumbbell presses I can make 3 sets of 8 with 75 lb extremely hard… or I can make 3 sets with 120 lb extremely easy. It’s how hard you flex, tempo, and all that other kind of stuff. To me personally, your muscle fibers don’t know the difference.
But there like a minimum requirement… a minimum training age. A lot of newbies will take it the wrong way and go “My 95 lb bench is okay, I’ll just go slower and flex harder.” No, dude.
On Power Lifting Vs. Bodybuilding
Both sports are tough. But from a mental perspective, bodybuilding is tougher but in a whole different regard, because it’s 24/7… I’ve gone down where I was extremely super lean and I know how bad life sucks… Your brain doesn’t even work right. You don’t even want to get out of the chair to take a piss… It just sucks… You can’t break. You’ve come that far, you can’t break!
In power lifting, everything we do is to limit the range of movement… in all those years we haven’t actually fully extended and contracted a single joint at all! Think about it!
So then what happens is, you… go “I’m gonna start doing some bodybuilding training, I’ll do some dumbbell rows.” And then you grab the 60s… You’re used to doing… Kroc rows, like these little short pumps. Then you… do a big stretch and you’re like “What the hell, I’m only doing 50 lb!” And your ego just gets completely pounded.
It’s all about getting from Point A to Point B and stretching as hard as you can. And after four months of doing that, all the pains that I’ve had through my entire lifting career were gone… Gone!
I like that training week.
15 pullups is pretty crazy.
nice work.
I cant stand the leg press machine either-
any of them - they all make my organs feel squished
Ill tell you a secret about legs training
step away from all that knee wrecking hammer strength shit
front squats heavy and fast. 10x3
Bulgarian split squats 4x8
RDL heavy 4x6
if you squat atg on fronts you wont need any calf work.
just saying.
I enjoy reading your updates- good to see others train and bust ass
and deal with work and fam
while under stress.
CRAP! I just can’t seem to make time to post and lurk here like I want. Just remember, guys, I’m thinking of all y’all. I will catch up soon.
Last week I went to Vancouver and met up with a buddy who exploded my brain. This guy is a former anorexic marathon runner. He re-invented himself, started eating and lifting, gained 70 lb of lean mass, and then won his pro card at the IDFA (Canada’s natty division) in his first bodybuilding show.
Standing next to him, training with him, talking to him, made me realize… If I work my butt off, I can do this!!! I can get there!!! Seeing this guy made it real for me in a way I can’t quite describe. And it lit a fire in my gut that is burning so hot it’s making my head spin. I want it. I’m going to find a way to get.
It’s time to start planning, folks. I have an inner beast that needs feeding.
JUST THE FACTS MA’AM
Cycle 2 of 531 statred this week…
MONDAY - MP & shoulders
531 Military Press - 5x90, 5x100, 9x115
A1 db shrugs - 22x80, 15x90, 11x95, 12x95
A2 side laterals - 10x35, 8x35, 10x30, 10x30
Decline pushups - 33, 23
B1 1-arm db press - 6x40, 13x30, 13x35 (dunno what was going on here)
B2 leg raises - 9, 9, 9
WEDNESDAY - DL & back
531 Deadlift - 5x210, 5x245, 8x275
A1 DB rows - 10x80, 9x80, 8x80, 8x80
A2 good mornings - 9x95, 8x95, 8x95, 8x95 (I ain’t comfortable going heavier!)
pullups - 17, 13, 10 (there once was a time I could do 25 of these…)
B1 rollouts - 8, 7, 6
B2 db curls - 10x45, 9x45, 8x45
THURSDAY
Biking - Hills, hills, and more hills.
That is all. I’ve finally worked up a new diet that will go into place next week. One of the things I learned is that I’v probably been eating at around 2000 to 2500 cal/d all summer. Shooting for 3500 again is starting to look really challenging.
It’s nice to have someone who is where you want to be to stoak the fire. Interested to see how your new diet looks.
training is looking good-
glad to see you are finding those spangly briefs in site
Glad to see a post from you. For the record i’m being a adult and trying not to make a childish remark regarding your current pic you posted.
17 pullups, NICE! are these wide grip or narrow grip?
I didn’t know you could go pro with 15" arms. OK, OK, I’m sorry.
Good for him for turning his life around. 70lbs is a ton (well, not literally a ton of course) of LBM.
Get your shit together and get after it if that’s your goal.
JUST THE FACTS MA’AM
Friday - BP & chest
Bench Press - 5x135, 5x160, 10x185
A1 Incline db press - 7x80, 8x75, 8x75, 7x75
A2 T Bar rows - 8x100, 8x100, 7x100, 7x100
Crossovers - 12x50, 11x50, 10x50
B1 Flat flyes - 10x40, 10x40, 10x40
B2 side planks - 60s, 55s, 45s
Done and done.
Git - My buddy has around 13" arms, which is crazy because the illusion makes him look way bigger. Standing besides him is intimidating as hell. And I am currently gathering my shit.
Matty - Those are wide grip. Yeah baby!
Dogg - I’m deeply disappointed. Of all the photos I coulda posted I deliberately picked the one that left me open to verbal abuse. WELL!?!?!?!
kmnyc - Spangly briefs are actually not allowed on stage. Single color only, no be-dazzling allowed. If I do this, mine will be purple.
dday - Having a companion on the journey is such a benefit. I’m currently shopping around for a like-minded workout partner. This should be tough!
Good luck on your bodybuilding journey. I would find diet the toughest part of that life style. Its easier being a chubby powerlifter/strongman type.
Well if you want it then you know what you have to do.
Just found this quote on someone else’s log. Thought you might recognize it.
“C’mon man, admit what you love to do, and then do it with drive!”
[quote]JoeGood wrote:
Well if you want it then you know what you have to do.[/quote]
Is that your caption for the photo Joe? Good one!
Mine was going to be something like, “I bet it’s not the first time you’ve been on your knees in front of a guy in his underwear”.
Seriously, go for it CK. I don’t mean to be disrespectful to your buddy, but you make the guy look small. I think you could do some real damage if you competed.
Your family will cope. I’m sure that the fact that you’re so concerned about putting them through hell, means that you won’t.
I bet you’d do a great posing routine.
[quote]ddot76 wrote:
Just found this quote on someone else’s log. Thought you might recognize it.
“C’mon man, admit what you love to do, and then do it with drive!”[/quote]
Hey that was on my thread.
[quote]ecogenx wrote:
[quote]ddot76 wrote:
Just found this quote on someone else’s log. Thought you might recognize it.
“C’mon man, admit what you love to do, and then do it with drive!”[/quote]
Hey that was on my thread.[/quote]
I know. 
I just wanted to remind him what he is telling others. You know, build that forward momentum.
Finding a training partner is a bitch. I had one for a year but all he wanted to do is bench. Anything over 250lbs hurt his x, excuse of the day. Good luck with your search.
All i’m going say is that I’m glad you where facing the camera…That is all.