IMO, you will need to wait awhile to see if the coaching is really an improvement. I had the same thoughts 4 months in, but after a year I was pretty convinced having the coaching helped me.
I figured as much. I don’t have any plans to go without coaching anytime soon.
When/why would you recommend changing coaches?
Well, I don’t use a coach anymore. During my time with him though (about 2.5 years), my total went from 1200 to almost 1500, and my weight went from 225ish to 205ish (now down to 195).
In my case, the programming was getting to be very much the same every month, and I am not really all that competitive anymore (I probably won’t do that meet I mentioned). I guess, what I do now is very similar to what he was having me do, so I didn’t see much point to coaching (I had learned what I was going to learn).
I guess I would consider a different coach if you think that their methods could work for you. I tend to look at what did their clients achieve.
I differ quite a bit from what you are doing. I’ll do 5-6 sets on one exercise, vs 2-3 sets on 3 different exercises. For me, this works better for progression, but others are different. I am also more powerlifting vs bodybuilding.
One guy I know has two coaches that he uses for about half a year each. One is a powerlifting coach, and the other a bodybuilding coach. He gets strong, then switches to bodybuilding. Seems to work for him. I guess if you get to the point that you need to get stronger to get size, you could consider doing a phase of strength building with a strength / powerlifting coach.
Starting this post, I didn’t realize I would rant so much.
When I’m doing my own thing that’s kinda what I like too. Maybe not 5-6 sets per exercise but most definitely more than 2. I normally wouldn’t do so many different exercises either.
This idea seems really cool. I doubt I’d ever do that though because bench hurts and who knows if I’ll ever be able to squat
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Have you tried wrist wraps? Football bar? There are a few things that can be done to help, but still get lots of the benefit.
I have seen a lot of really muscular guys say that they have strength phases each year. Arnold and Ronnie (probably my two favorite) were both competitive powerlifters before bodybuilding. Now genetics is huge, but I think if you can go from x weight to 1.5x weight for the same reps same form, that it is hard not to improve in muscle.
I have not. I definitely want to try wrist wraps for sure though. I’m curious about the football bar too, although sometimes using plate loaded machines with a neutral grip it still hurts.
I feel this way as well. I’ve never seen a big and juicy dude in the gym lifting light weight.
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I have the “Heavy” wraps from EliteFTS. I think they are like $30. They are pretty good IMO. They make crazier ones (The “Heavy” wrap is about mid tear for their wraps). I don’t even really ever crank them tight, as it is kinda painful. Try some out if you are having issues. I haven’t worn them in about 6 months. I don’t really need them for most training weight.
Me neither. I thing Dexter Jackson lifts light, but he probably lifted heavier at one point? He is also a genetic freak.
I will definitely look into them! Thanks for the recommendation
Today’s pro’s: I took off work to go get a prescription for ambien. I cannot wait to take one and get sleep!!! I’m hoping this is a huge turning point.
Today’s cons: my wrists were really finicky today. I blame @mnben87 for mentioning wrist wraps. Had to give out on the dips before my triceps were fried and couldn’t manage a second set.
Tricep rope push downs
150 x 10
110 x 15
Face away cable curls
70 x 10
55 x 13
Dip machine
272.5 x 21
272.5 x 17
Ezcurl bar curls
90 x 11
80 x 12
Single hand cable extensions
70 x 10/13
Seated cable curl machine
120 x 14
Standing overhead tricep rope extension
120 x 12
Pinwheel curls
35’s x 33 total reps alternating
Dips / SS alt dB curls (27.5’s)
16
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This was a game changer for me. My sleep pattern had gotten all messed up and used ambien cr for about 8 months to get back on track. So helpful.
I’m honestly at the point where I’m about to have a complete mental break down. I’ve never felt this before but it’s like my body is telling me we are at the point of no return, and to be honest it’s kinda scary lol. I’ve never slept good, for some reason after my last call week 3 weeks ago and working non stop it’s been the worst it’s ever been and I can’t get reset. Hoping this is the magic I needed!!
If your schedule allows for the time for 7-8 hours of sleep you may want to look into the controlled release. On the regular ambien I would fall asleep for 4-5 hours and then snap out of it and not be able to get back to sleep. Made the switch and all was good.
Yea I didn’t know that existed 
sounds like what I really need as I wake up every 1.5 hours. Atleast it won’t take me 1+ hour to get to sleep. I have “zolpidem tartrate 5mg”. Assuming that’s not the CR
On it would say CR or controlled release. Good luck. Consistent sleep is so important but I’m thinking you know that already.
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So the ambien was pretty good. I read a lot about it and I was hoping to take it and pass TF out about 15 minutes later. Unfortunately that was the case lol. Still took almost an hour to drift off, and I never even got to hallucinate on it so that was a bummer.
I slept good though!! Still woke up at 5:30, but still way better than what it’s been. I’ll try it a few more times before trying to get the extended release.
Checked in with the coach today. Changing things up a little. Cutting the rest time in half and now doing 3 sets of 12-15 just shy of failure. Said we will do this for a couple cycles and reevaluate.
Gonna take today off! Maybe go to a water park/splash pad with the kids.
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What type of coach do you have may I ask. Taking from your training it appears to be more of a bodybuilding/ change in physique coach and not a strength/ performance one?
Also (I’m not a huge fan of 99% of coaches) your recent sleeping schedule have probably hindered a lot of results sadly so the coach may actually have the perfect programme/ nutrition for you but it’s not able to pay dividends yet.
Bodybuilding. He’s jacked and juicy.
I wasn’t for the longest time. I 101% prescribed to @T3hPwnisher ’s philosophy of getting big and strong is easy. Eat a bunch of food and pick up a lot of heavy things. Turns out even I could mess up something simple so I sought the guidance of someone who knew what they were doing.
I’m starting to think this too. I’m half way through my blast so I’ve still got time to turn it around and make some progress. Only time will tell!
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Fuck me. Slept like absolute trash last night and now I’m in the beginning stages of being sick.
Coach changed up my workout too which I don’t like.
Now it’s 3 sets but NOT to failure, also cut the rest time in HALF. I’ve never trained not to failure so idk what the fuck I’m doing. He said leave a couple reps in the tank on EVERY set. Who knows how many I’m leaving, all I know is I felt weak as piss and the numbers are indeed weak as piss.
Let’s hope the ambien decides to work tonight.
Seated chest press
215 x 12
215 x 11
210 x 9
Cable flys
55 x 12
55 x 11
40 x 12
Incline iso hammer press
80 x 8
70 x 10
55 x 12
Dumbbell lateral raises
25’s x 15
25’s x 15
25’s x 15
Seated iso hammer press
90 x 12
90 x 11
80 x 10
Rear delt dumbbell flys
30 x 15
30 x 15
30 x 15
Pec deck SS tricep V bar push downs SS machine lateral raises
Pec deck
247.5 x 11
240 x 8
220 x 13
Straight bar tricep push downs
140 x 12
140 x 12
130 x 16
Standing machine lateral raises
100 x 15
100 x 13
100 x 16
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Woke up sick AF. Hoping it’s over quick, decent gym session all things considered
BOR’s
235 x 12
235 x 12
235 x 12
Prime lat pulls downs
205 x 12
205 x 12
185 x 12
Chest supported rows
235 x 13
235 x 11
190 x 12
Single hand seated cable rows
160 x 12
160 x 12
160 x 15
Seated bicep curl machine
110 x 13
100 x 12
100 x 13
T-bar rows SS alt DB curls / Pull overs
SKIPPED
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sorry to hear that. I thought I was getting sick last week after a day when my nose was running like a tap, but managed to shake it off the next day. Hope you feel better tomorrow.