Thib's Q&A

Training
4741

Coach Thib,

Is there any advantage to an athlete performing squats without a belt?

hckyman

4742

[quote]hckyman147 wrote:
Coach Thib,

Is there any advantage to an athlete performing squats without a belt?

hckyman[/quote]

You’re kidding right? Athletes should ALWAYS squat without a belt.

A belt stabilizes the trunk by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. The thing is that we have muscles that do this function (transversus abdominis and obliques) and if we always use a belt then we never develop proper trunk stabilization, which is of prime importance for athletes.

4743

Coach,

Thanks for the fitday.com recommendation. I started dieting down for a contest yesterday.

I began at 95.25kg.

Yesterday I ingested (according to them)

1821 Calories
62.6 Fat Grams
68.9 Carbs
237.9 Protein Grams

If I’m correct you aren’t a big fan of counting calories, but instead prefer to count Macronutriets.

Does that appear to be a good fat loss breakdown? Just trying to get a second opinion.

Thank you,

Kelley

4744

Christian,

I have used the V-Diet and then GBC combined with sensible nutrition to reduce my bodyfat. I am now reasonably lean (11%) and would like to maintain muscle mass and gradually lose a little more fat. I have 9 weeks available before i go on holiday and was planning on following your mutation series articles to help me achieve my goals.

I’m aware these are reasonably old articles, and with this in mind, wondered if there were any modifications you would now advise?

Thanks

4745

Sorry for misquoting you.

4746

[quote]Tarmac wrote:
Christian,

I have used the V-Diet and then GBC combined with sensible nutrition to reduce my bodyfat. I am now reasonably lean (11%) and would like to maintain muscle mass and gradually lose a little more fat. I have 9 weeks available before i go on holiday and was planning on following your mutation series articles to help me achieve my goals.

I’m aware these are reasonably old articles, and with this in mind, wondered if there were any modifications you would now advise?

Thanks[/quote]

Read my article ‘‘Refined physique transformation’’

4747

Thibs what are your thoughts on when someone should wear knee sleeves or wraps?

4748

In the ‘‘Refined physique transformation’’ article you recommend th following schedule:

Monday: Chest and back heavy

Tuesday: Legs, heavy

Wednesday: OFF

Thursday: Lactate-inducing workout, then 30 minutes low-intensity ESW

Friday: Arms (heavy) and shoulders

Saturday: Lactate-inducing workout, then 30 minutes low-intensity ESW

Sunday: OFF

Given i have 9 weeks available would you recommend following this split and varying the chosen lifts every 3-4 weeks. Or, in your opinion, would it be better to rotate the schedule as in the mutation series while implementing the updated nutrition and supplementation protocols.

I ask as i want to maintain as much size as possible while dropping a few pounds of fat, rather than shooting for maximal fat loss. The mutation series workouts look awesome and appear specifically designed with these goals in mind.

Thanks again.

4749

[quote]crod266 wrote:
Thibs what are your thoughts on when someone should wear knee sleeves or wraps?[/quote]

Never unless they are a competitive powerlifter

4750

[quote]kelleyb wrote:
Coach,

Thanks for the fitday.com recommendation. I started dieting down for a contest yesterday.

I began at 95.25kg.

Yesterday I ingested (according to them)

1821 Calories
62.6 Fat Grams
68.9 Carbs
237.9 Protein Grams

If I’m correct you aren’t a big fan of counting calories, but instead prefer to count Macronutriets.

Does that appear to be a good fat loss breakdown? Just trying to get a second opinion.

Thank you,

Kelley[/quote]

Impossible to answer…

  • how many weeks do you have before the contest
  • how much fat are you carrying (NOT an approximate number, an objective bodyfat measure)
  • have you been dieting or eating normally prior to starting your official diet?
  • what body type are you?
  • what is your daily activity level like (training and non-training)

Right off the bat your macros look terrible and you will lose mass and feel like shit though.

4751

[quote]Tarmac wrote:
I ask as i want to maintain as much size as possible while dropping a few pounds of fat, rather than shooting for maximal fat loss. The mutation series workouts look awesome and appear specifically designed with these goals in mind.

Thanks again.[/quote]

The mutation series was more a report of my personal experience at an early point in my career. Frankly I would not do things the same way now. I have a 12 weeks program and diet available for only 39$ at www.muscledrivethru.com called ‘‘Get Jacked’’ which might be what you are looking for.

4752

[quote]Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
kelleyb wrote:
Coach,

Thanks for the fitday.com recommendation. I started dieting down for a contest yesterday.

I began at 95.25kg.

Yesterday I ingested (according to them)

1821 Calories
62.6 Fat Grams
68.9 Carbs
237.9 Protein Grams

If I’m correct you aren’t a big fan of counting calories, but instead prefer to count Macronutriets.

Does that appear to be a good fat loss breakdown? Just trying to get a second opinion.

Thank you,

Kelley

Impossible to answer…

  • how many weeks do you have before the contest
    9 weeks. (I have a cousin with a similar build and we have a competition going to see who can get the best results by Memorial Day weekend.)

  • how much fat are you carrying (NOT an approximate number, an objective bodyfat measure)

I couldn’t say. I carry the majority of my fat around the waist. I have separation in my quads, and decent definition in my arms; chest and back look so-so. 15-20% BF, but that’s a guess (ie worthless)

  • have you been dieting or eating normally prior to starting your official diet?

I eat a fairly healthful diet. I gave up alcohol, my occasional sweets, and reduced my carb intake.

  • what body type are you?

Meromorphic.

  • what is your daily activity level like (training and non-training)

I train with weights 3 times a week and do DC style training. (low volume/high intensity Rest-Pause style training)
On days that I do no weight training I do light cardio. On the treadmill/ moderate incline/ 3.5mph for around 20-25 minutes.

Right off the bat your macros look terrible and you will lose mass and feel like shit though.

I’m guessing too little protein and fat?

[/quote]

4753

CT,

what will be your recommendation of using L-leucine to those who just start doing Anabolic Diet(still in transition phase)?

thanks

4754

Mr Thibaudeau,

Is it possible for seasonal pollen allergies to affect max lifts?

I ask because when I was getting over a recent bad cold, my 1 rm went down about 10%, I got better and it immediately shot back up, but now that my allergies have flared up, my lifts are back down, and I am trying to guage whether or not it is due to my allergies or training regimen.

Thanks,
Jesse Frank

4755

[quote]Christian Thibaudeau wrote:
hckyman147 wrote:
Coach Thib,

Is there any advantage to an athlete performing squats without a belt?

hckyman

You’re kidding right? Athletes should ALWAYS squat without a belt.

A belt stabilizes the trunk by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. The thing is that we have muscles that do this function (transversus abdominis and obliques) and if we always use a belt then we never develop proper trunk stabilization, which is of prime importance for athletes.[/quote]

Thank you, coach.

4756

Mr Thibaudeau,

Is it possible for seasonal pollen allergies to affect max lifts?

I ask because when I was getting over a recent bad cold, my 1 rm went down about 10%, I got better and it immediately shot back up, but now that my allergies have flared up, my lifts are back down, and I am trying to guage whether or not to treat it is due to my allergies or training regimen (I am currently trying to boost my DL 1RM with rack pulls).

Thanks,
Jeese Frank

4757

[quote]Jesse Frank wrote:
Mr Thibaudeau,

Is it possible for seasonal pollen allergies to affect max lifts?

I ask because when I was getting over a recent bad cold, my 1 rm went down about 10%, I got better and it immediately shot back up, but now that my allergies have flared up, my lifts are back down, and I am trying to guage whether or not to treat it is due to my allergies or training regimen (I am currently trying to boost my DL 1RM with rack pulls).

Thanks,
Jeese Frank[/quote]

Yes, allergies can play a role. The body will always divert ressources to the most important task for survival, getting over a health situation will always precede your max strength in the gym.

4758

Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it.

Makes me feel a little better about missing a couple lifts I knew I could do.

Jesse

4759

Tarmac wrote:
I ask as i want to maintain as much size as possible while dropping a few pounds of fat, rather than shooting for maximal fat loss. The mutation series workouts look awesome and appear specifically designed with these goals in mind.

Thanks again.

The mutation series was more a report of my personal experience at an early point in my career. Frankly I would not do things the same way now. I have a 12 weeks program and diet available for only 39$ at www.muscledrivethru.com called ‘‘Get Jacked’’ which might be what you are looking for.

I’ve seen the 12 week program and was extremely interested. I think i’m correct in saying it is currently only available as a download. Are there any plans to make it available as a ‘hard’ copy?

Thanks again for your help.

4760

CT

I’m approaching week 5 of Get Jacked Fast. You recommend HOT-ROX; I’ve got that, but also have Species’ Lipolyze, which contains Usnic Acid. Lipolyze is stimulant-free, and I have trouble sleeping with HOT-ROX which is why I bought it as back up in the first place.

I believe I remember you mentioning that 1 cap of HOT-ROX is enough for you because it’s quite a strong stime; is that correct? Have you found some ways to make it easier on yourself to be on HOT-ROX? Also, do you have any opinion on Usnic acid?

G