ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ ||| The 2023/2024 Gym Rats Thread ||| ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ

[opethdisciple]

So, clearly this is something not uncommon amongst older gym rats.

I have left the ego lifts behind now, but still have flare ups. It's tendon issues for me mostly, specifically in shoulders and forearms/elbows. If that's something collagen can help with, I will have to look into it.

There are many different types, though. Any recommendations for the best form? Marine? Hydrolysed? (Can't remember what I heard on this now)

Try both and see what works for you.

I take the bovine one.

 

[tom_e]

Nice one, just picked up one bag each of the jelly Belly flavours. There's probably a reason it's this cheap but worth a gamble

The gamble paid off.

Vegan carb crushers are very decent, maybe ever so slightly dry but on the whole surprisingly good.

I've tried the marshmallow and popcorn flavoured whey so far and they're both so good I went back to see if I could pick up some more while it was cheap but it's already gone back up

 

[MikeTheNative]

Bit of a mixed bag for me this weekend.
Struggled to wake up Saturday morning, didn't feel right and had a crap leg day. Didn't hit weight I should have done but completed my workout so that's a positive I guess.
Then Sunday morning felt great (despite the few beers the day before) and manged an extra rep on bench and military press to what I did last week.

 

[Deception]

Squat and deadlift form is coming along nicely. Managed 140kg on squats and 150kg on deads for a few singles. Havent tried bench yet (everyone here seems to love chest day and they're always taken), but OHP I got up to 75kg for singles, so thats not too shabby with a broken body like

Forgot how good it is to be back, its also a well needed break from being sat on my backside all day remote working. I just need to get some mobility back in and fix this stiffness.

 

[Fuzz]

I've had a headache all day at work today, thought it was a lack of hydration as had more coffee than water during the day, ate well though. Thought I'd power through it at the gym this evening, warmed up, 3 sets into the chest press and I noped out, jacked it in and went home.

 

[opethdisciple]

I've had a headache all day at work today, thought it was a lack of hydration as had more coffee than water during the day, ate well though. Thought I'd power through it at the gym this evening, warmed up, 3 sets into the chest press and I noped out, jacked it in and went home.

Once in a blue moon it happens.

 

[Freefaller]

Bought myself a trap bar to compliment my squatting - I'm focussing on front squats mainly these days and the trap bar is used for more of the power generation and larger volume. I also got some more 25kg bumper plates to make it less of a pain to move weights around (somehow I've amassed over 350kg of plates ).

I have to say I had forgotten how much I enjoyed using a trap bar, it really allows you for some good power focussed exercise, whilst you focus on technique elsewhere. I haven't stopped deadlifting but can focus more on speed work and slow negative movements which have really been a boon for the posterior chain.

Mixing front squats 100-120kg
With some trap bar pulls 200-240kg
and some deadlift technique work 150-180kg

seems to be a nice compliment for me and canes my lower back less - unfortunately my legs and arse are still way too big to fit into trousers properly so I have decided I might as well destroy them further. The veins on my vastus medialis are insane now - and I'm far from being lean - although my legs are incredibly lean... just wish that translated everywhere else!

My arms and chest still suck, but maybe one day I'll start to focus on them more.

I do need to buy some dumbbells so I think I will treat myself to some adjustable ones this year - I need to find some that go up to at least 50kg.

 

[Fuzz]

Once in a blue moon it happens.

Aye, Second attempt today, thought I'd just go in and go through the motions as it were, as still feeling a little under the weather..... pulled a few more reps with the same weight than I did last week! HA

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Bought myself a trap bar to compliment my squatting - I'm focussing on front squats mainly these days and the trap bar is used for more of the power generation and larger volume. I also got some more 25kg bumper plates to make it less of a pain to move weights around (somehow I've amassed over 350kg of plates ).

I have to say I had forgotten how much I enjoyed using a trap bar, it really allows you for some good power focussed exercise, whilst you focus on technique elsewhere. I haven't stopped deadlifting but can focus more on speed work and slow negative movements which have really been a boon for the posterior chain.

Mixing front squats 100-120kg
With some trap bar pulls 200-240kg
and some deadlift technique work 150-180kg

seems to be a nice compliment for me and canes my lower back less - unfortunately my legs and arse are still way too big to fit into trousers properly so I have decided I might as well destroy them further. The veins on my vastus medialis are insane now - and I'm far from being lean - although my legs are incredibly lean... just wish that translated everywhere else!

My arms and chest still suck, but maybe one day I'll start to focus on them more.

I do need to buy some dumbbells so I think I will treat myself to some adjustable ones this year - I need to find some that go up to at least 50kg.

I’m quite enjoying barbell shrugs again at the end of my back workout. I should be back to the weight that maxes out my plates again tomorrow. At which point I may pick up a couple more gym division plates that’ll keep me going to around 350kg. At least plates are cheaper again, will probably add a couple of gym division 25kg plates for £100 or so. Will decide after tomorrows session. Not far off needing them for squats anyway and failing anything else they weigh down my rack even more.

Somehow my weight has levelled off considering I’m downing whole milk, eggs, nuts, chicken thighs etc. Most exercises still gaining though

That said, I’ve plateaued at 97.5kg OHP. Ffs, so close to 100, I need more mass!!!

 

[Freefaller]

Push press I'm over 100kg but strict press can't quite do it yet.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Funny how gym sessions go. Benched 141 for 5x5 no problem on Saturday where as I missed reps a couple of weeks ago at 140. Well on track into post 170kg pre 180kg now. Not too much longer before it’ll get too hot and it’ll all drop away knowing my seasonal lifting.

Felt rotten yesterday and today and yet just bounced 197kg squats for 5x5 in a fraction of the time I usually need to rest.

Need to pull the trigger on more plates, but I’m looking at some potentially disrupted sessions in the coming weeks. I also worry about my rack and bar with anymore weight, although it’s a heavy duty set.

Edit: pulled the trigger on 2x 25kg gym division plates taking me up to 350kg weight in my gym. I should open it up for training sessions

There’s just something about giant shrugs for the lols (and huge traps). Especially now I don’t push my deadlifts as much. Useful for adding more stability to my rack and landmine too. 292.5kg+ here we come.

@Freefaller you’ve got me thinking about a trap bar going forward.

 

[Fuzz]

Must be the day for it, my app is telling me I've made a 3.4% improvement in my bench press and a 9.9% improvement in a cable tricep pushdowns today... somehow

 

[Syla5]

I do need to buy some dumbbells so I think I will treat myself to some adjustable ones this year - I need to find some that go up to at least 50kg.

Ironmasters will probably be your best bet to yo up to 50kg. Most others stop around the 40-42kg range. If i was to start again with my adjustable i would go ironmasters over my powerblocks, even though i love my powerblocks.

 

[Freefaller]

I suppose the alternative is to buy the adjustable up to 40kg and then just buy 45 and 50kg separately

 

[Syla5]

I suppose the alternative is to buy the adjustable up to 40kg and then just buy 45 and 50kg separately

Yes, and this is a pretty good alternative!

Nuobell, Braingain, Strength shop, Power Blocks, Primal, and Assassin Goods all do options that would work for you I believe.

 

[Alibaba99]

Yes, and this is a pretty good alternative!

Nuobell, Braingain, Strength shop, Power Blocks, Primal, and Assassin Goods all do options that would work for you I believe.

The Garage Gym Reviews channel on YouTube has quite a few comparison tests of adjustable dumbbells.

 

[Syla5]

Yeah but they are US based, and not all the options in the UK.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Noooooo, DPD are sending my parcel back for some reason, I can only assume due to damage, but there’s nothing in there that can be damaged! Absolutely useless. At least Origin are good at sorting this kind of thing. I even paid DPD extra for Saturday delivery. So annoying. Nothing in this country works anymore.

 

[Freefaller]

Can anyone suggest good wall mounted plate holders. Enough for at least 200kgs worth?

 

[Syla5]

Can anyone suggest good wall mounted plate holders. Enough for at least 200kgs worth?

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