*** The 2017 Gym Rats Thread ***

May not be the best place to ask but does anyone have any experience with testosterone tests? There aren't really any problems, more of a curiosity thing to see where I'm at but not sure if those tests from numerous labs online are any good.
 
I've used medichecks before, a little expensive but the turnaround was very good. I've always wondered if one could rock up to the GP for this though?
 
You can't just rock up to your GP and ask for random blood tests, unless you have a very understanding GP but chances are slim unless they feel you have a medical need for the tests.
 
Yup, can't even go to a private hospital for a blood test of your choosing as even they normally ask for GP referral or good reason for that test, i.e. expensive consultation with a doctor. Bit silly really but at least testing labs have been popping up recently to provide a nice alternative.

Also managed to pick up a 2.5kg bag of my favourite banana flavour MyProtein whey for £12.95 last night but already raised the price so no good for anyone else.
 
Physio (NHS) booked in. Pain is subsiding from my shoulder and the only thing I can't work now is my chest. Also have a few shoulder exercises/stretches that I am going to work on. Desperate to work on my chest again. Will do everything I can to restore shoulder strength without surgery or a steroid injection.
 
CaptainRAVE said:
Physio (NHS) booked in. Pain is subsiding from my shoulder and the only thing I can't work now is my chest. Also have a few shoulder exercises/stretches that I am going to work on. Desperate to work on my chest again. Will do everything I can to restore shoulder strength without surgery or a steroid injection.
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Dude - if your shoulder is duffed to the point of not doing chest, then you should probably leave all off.
 
Any suggestions for assessment/rehab in South-East London chaps? My best friend had a less than graceful dismount off a motorbike last Christmas and landed on her arm. Couldn't straighten her elbow initially but it got better although was never 100% right. X-rays confirmed nothing was broken. We went indoor climbing the other night and she hyperextended it when we did some bouldering which = insta-pain and it's all swollen/stiff again today and she's all depressed because it feels like being at square one again. Spends a lot of time doing handstands and arm balances so it's kind of important she can use her upper body properly!
 
neoboy said:
Yup, can't even go to a private hospital for a blood test of your choosing as even they normally ask for GP referral or good reason for that test, i.e. expensive consultation with a doctor. Bit silly really but at least testing labs have been popping up recently to provide a nice alternative.

Also managed to pick up a 2.5kg bag of my favourite banana flavour MyProtein whey for £12.95 last night but already raised the price so no good for anyone else.
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It is kind of irrelevant without a genuine medical condition, too:

- if you have low/high test, you work harder for your gains whilst watching loads of one-handed curling material or you work just as hard and maybe gain some extra mass... not much you can do about it (unless it is for bragging rights, and who honestly gives a copulation?).
- if you are baselining for a bike ride, but cycling knocks your test out the park, anyway, so it is also pointless.
- CDT for work, at which point you are screwed if you have dosed and haven't had the good sense to manage it properly.

If you have an itch then scratch it - fine - but just bear in mind spending the same amount on "executive entertainment" will do more for your test that anything else.
 
mrthingyx said:
Dude - if your shoulder is duffed to the point of not doing chest, then you should probably leave all off.
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That is the funny thing with the AC joint, a lot of other movements don't impact on it. Front squat is out since it pretty much rests on that area when inflamed. Chest is too painful, but OHP doesn't bother it (if anything it opens up the joint).

Physio said that I need to go back down to low weight dumbells on chest, about 6-8kg and to slowly build it up. Apparently my external rotation is good, but internal isn't (which I was surprised at) - so I need to work on that which will help protect the joint (I have focussed on strengthening, but not flexibility). Laying off heavy chest has certainly seen a lot of improvement and at least I am not constantly in pain now.

Also just doing some 'hanging' off a bar which also helps open up the joint and I need to work on moving my shoulder blades down whilst keeping my shoulders neutral. At least I can move again. What a year of injury! On the plus side, I am still on track for a 200kg deadlift by the end of the year.

I am also doing more stretching across my whole body now as I am starting to understand the importance - especially as it has alleviated a few other niggles that were developing.
 
Running out of time is killing my workouts :(
I'm swiftly approaching the 'get a home gym for my birthday' levels haha
Problem is I'll probably have to spend twice as much as I'll need to re-do all the cupboards and storage to make room for everything currently in my cupboards :(

Anyone here made a transition to doing it at home?
 
CaptainRAVE said:
That is the funny thing with the AC joint, a lot of other movements don't impact on it. Front squat is out since it pretty much rests on that area when inflamed. Chest is too painful, but OHP doesn't bother it (if anything it opens up the joint).

Physio said that I need to go back down to low weight dumbells on chest, about 6-8kg and to slowly build it up. Apparently my external rotation is good, but internal isn't (which I was surprised at) - so I need to work on that which will help protect the joint (I have focussed on strengthening, but not flexibility). Laying off heavy chest has certainly seen a lot of improvement and at least I am not constantly in pain now.

Also just doing some 'hanging' off a bar which also helps open up the joint and I need to work on moving my shoulder blades down whilst keeping my shoulders neutral. At least I can move again. What a year of injury! On the plus side, I am still on track for a 200kg deadlift by the end of the year.

I am also doing more stretching across my whole body now as I am starting to understand the importance - especially as it has alleviated a few other niggles that were developing.
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Mmmm. Some eyebrow-raising stuff in there, but whatever. :)

If you are determined to bench (...) then keep it very light for lots of reps. I will ask, however, if you have actually given your shoulder a two week break from EVERYTHING, because working that joint with even a slight injury is a recipe for unpleasant, chronic pain.
 
giraffe I'm doing it at home and the convenience of it is great - you need the motivation which I think you have.......... if you have the space go for it (check out for second hand stuff) :) you could always sell if it doesn't work out........
 
spluff said:
giraffe I'm doing it at home and the convenience of it is great - you need the motivation which I think you have.......... if you have the space go for it (check out for second hand stuff) :) you could always sell if it doesn't work out........
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Space?... Haha
Not really, but I found a rack with some nice safeties that I reckon will fit in my cupboard.
Would need to find somewhere to put everything currently in that cupboard.......
 
mrthingyx said:
If you are determined to bench (...) then keep it very light for lots of reps. I will ask, however, if you have actually given your shoulder a two week break from EVERYTHING, because working that joint with even a slight injury is a recipe for unpleasant, chronic pain.
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I have stopped most everything, certainly anything that irritates it and am focusing on legs instead and the physio exercises. I guess I will have to let it heal and then slowly build up chest strength again. It is slowly feeling better, but putting weight on it again feels like a long way off.
 
The rugby team have booked out the good part of the gym (why was this even allowed to happen....) but because I've this I've been training on the main gym floor, getting some mean looks but I've got work to do :(

Amrap heavy deads with smaller plates (they're about an inch smaller) have been giving me the most ridiculous back pump :D
 
reiyushin said:
The rugby team have booked out the good part of the gym (why was this even allowed to happen....) but because I've this I've been training on the main gym floor, getting some mean looks but I've got work to do :(

Amrap heavy deads with smaller plates (they're about an inch smaller) have been giving me the most ridiculous back pump :D
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Demand a reduction in price or a free extension to your paid for membership.
You paid to use a gym with X facilities and are now receiving Y because they pocketed more money
 
spluff said:
giraffe I'm doing it at home and the convenience of it is great - you need the motivation which I think you have.......... if you have the space go for it (check out for second hand stuff) :) you could always sell if it doesn't work out........
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I'm home too - CF415 rack is great. Can't imagine trudging to a real gym and having to wait for weights!
 
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