*** The 2010 Gym Rats Thread ***

Wahey!

Chest session today, my old PB is a bit easier aswell.

Dumbbell Press
18kg x10 warmup + fatgrips
25kg x8 +fatgrips
31.8kg x8 + fatgrips
34.6kg x2
36.8kgx2
40.9kgx3 Went for two but managed to push out a 3rd :D
31.8kg x8 + fatgrips

Usually I don't go over 31.8kg, but then do 3 sets of 8 with it. Decided to try and get my PB a bit higher.

Cableflyes
20kgx6
20kgx6
22.5kg x6
15x10

Incline Dumbbell Press
27kg x8
27kg x8
27kg x8

Dips + 15kg
3 sets of 8
+20kg 8 reps
BW 8 reps

All in all well chuffed.

That 50kg bumbell bench press is getting closer and closer.
 
Tried one of the Crossfit WODs today.
70kg: Deadlift x 12, Clean (power, hang if you want) x 9, Press (push or jerk if you want) x 6
Repeat 5 times in as short a time as possible.

Realised how embarassingly gym unfit i am, 30mins and a lot of hard breathing :(
 
Going in for a back and biceps session at 9.00, any suggestions?

  1. Deadlift warmup + 10, 8, 6 - probably max out at 70kg +bar today (yeah I've only ever done it once so what lick my toes :o)
  2. Cable Row 10, 8, 6 - can't remember numbers but I go heavy as I can whilst maintaining focus on my lats and traps, not on arms / jerking back
  3. Cable pull-downs 10, 8, 6 - same as above, lift as much as i can whilst maintaining focus on my lats and back as opposed to arms..
  4. Shrugs 10, 8, 6 - need tips on how to focus the right parts on this please..
  5. Ez-barbell curls 10, 8, 6 (and a very heavy 1 or 2 rep lift for added roar) - currently maxing out at ~25kg +bar for the final lift, strict form using biceps only no swinging of back or elbow movement
  6. 21's x 3 - slow lift and drop with high focus on biceps, dropping weight each set, starting with 10kg + bar, down to 5kg + bar.
    21's x 1 - 1 set only same as above but with palms down
  7. Wrist curls - heavy barbell alone, fast-paced, 2 alternating sets of each palms down and palms up against flat bench
I know I'm missing out good exercises like bent over dumbell & barbell rows, bent over flies, chinups, but there just seems to be so much to do for back and biceps :\
 
Started my first day of intermittent fasting yesterday and its been great so far. I wasnt hungry at all upto my time to break the fast, except for a little bit when i first woke up, yet that went away within a few minutes. Its not too different to what I was already doing, so theres not much to get used to. Once ive done it for a couple weeks I will see how i feel, for anyone else who wants to try it.
 
Started my first day of intermittent fasting yesterday and its been great so far. I wasnt hungry at all upto my time to break the fast, except for a little bit when i first woke up, yet that went away within a few minutes. Its not too different to what I was already doing, so theres not much to get used to. Once ive done it for a couple weeks I will see how i feel, for anyone else who wants to try it.

Care to give a very brief, yet informative, summary?

Effectively just 2-3 large meals per day? or do I have it wrong? :p

Edit: Wikipedia to the rescue. How is retaining muscle/muscle loss effected? if at all? and metabolism for that matter, logic tells me it would slow significantly? Just asking as I'm curious :) (ignore the 'brief'! go all out!)
 
Well im by far no expert, but i feel i have the basics down. Also im doing it the leangains way as there are a few different versions of it. a lot of info here ;http://leangains.blogspot.com/

You basically fast for 16 hours a day, and then have an 8 hour window to eat all your calories. You break your fast with a small pre workout meal of about 400cals, protein and carbs 2-2.5 hours before your session. Fasted training can be done and from his clients testimonials and his own experience theres no real difference, and some studies show increased muscle growth . Martin himself actually set a PR in deadlift in his time of fasted training. If your going to train fasted, Martin recommends some BCAA's or something as it increases protein synthesis. It can be found on his site down the right hand side under "fasted training".

You then have a hooooge post WO meal of about 1000kcals (for me, more for you) consisting of a lot of carbs. Then later you have another meal with slow release proteins and fats with little carbs. 80% of your calories should come POST workout, as its said too big of a meal before your session can slightly decrease performance.

I like to aim for 300g carbs on training days with next to none on off days, keeping protein at 1.5g per lb, with the remaining kcals being fat.

As for the metabolism, through reading Martins blog, studies show that infact metabolism is increased during the fast, as well as mental ability and sense of well being. Your also never hungry during the fast once your body adapts! which is great and a real advantage of the diet (if you would call it that).
Another great plus (and also considered to be the biggest) is the fact you dont spend all day worrying about making food and worrying about hitting your macros, you make 3 meals and your done.

There should be no muscle loss at all through out, and infact many of his clients put on a large amount of strength through the diet. You can quite easily build muscle and loose fat at the same time, which as anyone knows is difficult. Theres a guy called bob who has an article dedicated to his progress, and is also a regular on bb.com so you might have seen him there! http://leangains.blogspot.com/search/label/Success Stories

Martin has maintained this diet for a few years now and stays at around 5-6% body fat all year, while getting stronger, and yet he eats what ever the hell he wants, and i WANT that lol :D
 
Last edited:
Thanks for taking the time to explain that. Deffinatley looks interesting! Be interested to hear how you get on & how you find it. Start a journal and I'll be sure to follow it :)
 
Thanks for taking the time to explain that. Deffinatley looks interesting! Be interested to hear how you get on & how you find it. Start a journal and I'll be sure to follow it :)

Np mate, theres a dude called James at myprotein whos got a log, you can keep track there if you want, hes been doing it for a while and knows a fair amount if you wanted to know more.

I have a journal from when i started 5x5 but when i lost my job i quit the gym + diet and am now back to where i started lol, hence why ive decided to start IF. Starting to get my feet back though, may bump that and keep track so will pass the link if i do.
 
Np mate, theres a dude called James at myprotein whos got a log, you can keep track there if you want, hes been doing it for a while and knows a fair amount if you wanted to know more.

I have a journal from when i started 5x5 but when i lost my job i quit the gym + diet and am now back to where i started lol, hence why ive decided to start IF. Starting to get my feet back though, may bump that and keep track so will pass the link if i do.

Kool stuff.

Be interested to see what meals your eating & when, how you find & adjust to the new meal portions & times and also how your training is effected. Providing it's a 'reflective' journal with your thoughts & feelings of course.
 
Monday. Back and chest. Pick one exercise for back, and one for chest. Perform 10 sets of 10 reps for each.
Tuesday. Rest day.
Wednesday. Legs, calves and abs. Perform 10 sets of 10 reps for legs, preferably barbell squats. For calves and abs, perform 3 sets of 10 (plus) reps, using the same rest pattern of 60-90 seconds.
Thursday. Rest day.
Friday. Shoulders and arms. Pick an exercise for shoulders, and perform 10 sets of 10 reps. Dumbbell or barbell overhead pressing will provide the most effective results. For biceps and triceps, perform 3 sets of 10 (plus) reps, using the same rest pattern of 60-90 seconds.
Weekend. Rest days.


So i take it its


Monday - DB Flat bench Press / bent over row
wed - deadlifts / calve raise /sit ups
fri - military press / bb curl / skull crushers


is that it just that don't seem a lot of exercise?
 
You use a hamstring exercise on leg days instead. I used 2 shoulder exercises for shoulders.

Remember each negative is FOUR seconds long and both 'primary' exercises are supersetted with no rest in the transition.

It is a fairly large amount if you consider the total time the muscle spends under tension due to the slow negatives it's works out something around 4 minutes of constant negative tension.
 
Went back to doing some box squats after a long time yesterday evening, oooooffffff!


Suffice to say.... cant walk....aargh!

Also, I'm pretty rubbish on the leg curl, the leg extension I've been getting better and better at, but on the leg curl I'm kinda stuck on a paltry 35kg (the machine says) and my hams just give up. Is this because I pretty much squat til I die beforehand? Any tips guys?
 
Kappa- I'm not a fan of leg curls, always cramping in either the hammy or calf. Since switching to SLDL I noticed much better improvements in both the strength & size of my hamstrings. As the hamstring crossed both the knee & the hip you can work it either (or both) ways.

You'll also improve your core & grip strength by SLDL and flexability too.

Start without standing on a box and just get used to the stretch. Don't go too heavy but what you find is as you use more weight it becomes easier as you're effectively pulled down. All you have to do is keep your core tight and then perform the concentric.

I find that I've only just started to need to use a box as keeping my back perfectly straight the weight was about 1" off contact with the floor but now as my flexability is improving need to raise myself up.

Probaly one of my favourite exercises.
 
Is there much difference in eating ready brek for breakfast over and above porridge? i much prefer the taste/texture plus it is much easier to cook and eat.

Also thinking of getting some creatine, what would be the reccoemended dosage per day for this stuff?
 
Ugh Creatine does not aggree with me, well only if I go over 3 grams a day.

if I go over that, my stomach is in bits.

On the subject of porridge, I prefer it since it keeps me full for longer and it's slow burning carbs.

Easy enough to make, put in bowl, add water and microwave for 2-3 minutes and ON NOM.
 
Another question....if you puke up after a meal do you eat again or leave it to the next meal...yes all that ready brek has come straight back up :( grrrrr frustrating much!!

I juse milk?t fail at porridge and it makes me feel sick too yet i can consume blended oats fine...
 
Back
Top Bottom