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[MrToughPants]

Didn't Brad Pitt have a leg model for lower body shots in Troy? I thought I remembered reading that somewhere.

If so...for shame.

My guess

175lbs max
14.5" arms
38" chest
13" neck
-13" calves
-23" legs

:lol

 

[Ashhong]

First time posting in this thread, I’ve been lifting for exactly a year now and the Fitness threads have been one of my main resources. Here’s a pic I took earlier this afternoon:

• Age: 27
• Height: 5’7”
• Weight: 144lb
• Goal: Continue gaining strength (aim for 2x bodyweight squat for reps) and add back in conditioning (swimming and running).
• Current Training Schedule: Workout four times a week, a day for each movement: DB Bench, Squat, OHP, Deadlift. After the main lift, do 5x10 at half the weight.

I started off by doing Stronglifts 3x5 at 142lb, with 0.7 GOMAD (two pouch bags of whole milk a day, I’m Canadian) for four-and-a-half months up to 163lb. Started to cut in July and went all the way back down to 143lb by December, but didn’t lose strength on my lifts while deadlifts continued going up. So I had no problem gaining weight but couldn’t keep the muscle on.

I started intermittent fasting (Leangains) in December, since I didn’t want to drop any more weight. I don’t count calories though, generally just carb cycle, and try to eat a bit less fat on workout days.

My stats - Start / July-163lb / Current:

Squat 3x5 - 135lb / 255 / 270 (2x5)
Deadlift 1x5 - 125lb / 225 (1x5) / 300 (2x5)
OHP 3x5 - 60lb / 100 / 112.5 (2x4)
Bench 3x5 - 125lb / 145 / 145
DB Bench - 68lb - 3x6

My bench is lagging behind, three times now I've reached 145lb only for my left wrist to hurt the next day. After the third time in December, I switched to dumbbells, and went to see the family doctor, but he didn’t think it was anything serious and just suggested physiotherapy.

I think my wrist is also holding back my OHP and deadlift. I reached 300lb deadlifts for 2x5 in early December, then messed up my wrist the next week on bench and couldn’t do 305lb deadlift for 5 reps. In the new year, I deloaded 30% on all my lifts and worked my way back up, but stalling again past 300lb.

I am by no means a fitness expert but is it just the picture or are your legs (specifically the left one in the picture) extremely skinny?

 

[X-Frame]

Even muscular bodyweight raises the ceiling for the advanced calisthenics. If you're 200lbs, it's akin to asking someone to row an almost 200lbs barbell no matter how strong or weak they are. Then sticking the legs out in a front lever is like asking that person to row a 200lbs barbell that isn't loaded evenly.

What's your height and current weight?

Regardless, you're going to need to lose fat. Solid six-pack abdominals might be a good goal to reach before you just try losing weight wholesale. Though if I recall, you've built some respectable legs that have a lot of meat to throw a wrench at this movement for you. The abdominal and back musculature have to be ridiculously powerful, as you've no doubt surmised.

I'm 5'8" (5'10" for the ladies) and 193 pounds first thing in the morning. Likely 14% BF. I can still see the top 4 of my abs though I could stand to lose a few pounds of fat.

Each thigh is over 26" and my glutes/hips are 43 inches. Obviously having a 30 inch waist like Al Kavadlo would make things quite a bit easier so we'll see.

I love the challenge though.

 

[Mr.City]

I'm 5'8" (5'10" for the ladies) and 193 pounds first thing in the morning. Likely 14% BF. I can still see the top 4 of my abs though I could stand to lose a few pounds of fat.

Each thigh is over 26" and my glutes/hips are 43 inches. Obviously having a 30 inch waist like Al Kavadlo would make things quite a bit easier so we'll see.

I love the challenge though.

You grow taller for women?

 

[entremet]

I am by no means a fitness expert but is it just the picture or are your legs (specifically the left one in the picture) extremely skinny?

Not a good angle. His legs look pretty defined, notice the bulge above the knee.

 

[opticalmace]

What do you guys think of personal trainers?

I've been doing P90X for a month or so and it's going well but I was thinking of hitting the local (free, university) gym. I checked it out and there are so many fucking machines, I have no idea what to use or how to properly use them.

If I do 4 sessions with a trainer would that be sufficient to get a good idea of a routine?

Bumping my post, any opinions? Thanks.

 

[Mr.City]

Bumping my post, any opinions? Thanks.

Many personal trainers get their certs out of a cracker jack box, however there are some quality ones out there. The problems is that your ignorance will not allow you to separate the champs from the chumps. Why not read the OP and educate yourself?

 

[low-G]

You grow taller for women?

Heh I wonder how many guys do that. Then again 6' 5" might be too much for the short cuties I like.

 

[Cooter]

Bumping my post, any opinions? Thanks.

Don't get a routine from a trainer. Use the one in the OP and use your free 4 sessions having him work on your form for the major lifts. My two cents.

 

[opticalmace]

Many personal trainers get their certs out of a cracker jack box, however there are some quality ones out there. The problems is that your ignorance will not allow you to separate the champs from the chumps. Why not read the OP and educate yourself?

Hm good point. I would assume (hope?) the university rec center ones would be good but I wouldn't know either way. I will comb through the OP but my biggest concern is form, with equipment/moves I've never done before.

Don't get a routine from a trainer. Use the one in the OP and use your free 4 sessions having him work on your form for the major lifts. My two cents.

This sounds good, I think I'll do that. Thanks.

 

[Cooter]

This sounds good, I think I'll do that. Thanks.

Anytime. Between all us in this tread we should be able to help you with any questions you may have. Good luck. Be warned that diet plays a much larger role in achieving your goals than time spent at the gym.

 

[Tess3ract]

You grow taller for women?

Who doesn't pad their attributes a little?

They don't exactly check...

 

[Cooter]

Who doesn't pad their attributes a little?

They don't exactly check...

I don't unless you count saying I'm 5'10 when I'm actually 5'9 and 7/8th.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

I'm 6'1, so I'm tall, which means women are attracted to me, which means I'm successful.

 

[MjFrancis]

I'm 5'8" (5'10" for the ladies) and 193 pounds first thing in the morning. Likely 14% BF. I can still see the top 4 of my abs though I could stand to lose a few pounds of fat.

Each thigh is over 26" and my glutes/hips are 43 inches. Obviously having a 30 inch waist like Al Kavadlo would make things quite a bit easier so we'll see.

I love the challenge though.

Hot damn, those are some legs. Last I read you had 24" legs. Well, keep to it, it'll just be a bit more work! I can understand how much more of a hurdle this must be for you, now. I'm 71½" tall 165lbs with a 31.5" waist. I have a 75½" reach so while I've got a bit more distance to travel for pull-ups and such deadlifts are comparatively easy. Presses suck, though. All of them. Still, I've got a lot less weight to move for bodyweight calisthenics of any sort.

Having a good strength to weight ratio and just being smaller in general is why cats like MrOogieBoogie excel at bodyweight calisthenics. I think he was like 5'11" 155 pounds. That's being built for this stuff. Oh, and if you're reading Boogie, how's the back?

Who doesn't pad their attributes a little?

If I never lie I'll never get caught.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Who doesn't pad their attributes a little?

They don't exactly check...

I don't, otherwise I would tell you all I weigh 215.

I'm exactly 5 foot 8 (68inches exactly) and 240lbs.

 

[Tess3ract]

I'm like 5'7 and 3/4 but I just say 5'8" so.

 

[parrotbeak]

I don't pad. Seems too easy to see how tall you are by standing next to you. But then if enough guys lie, girls think you are taller than you are, even if you don't lie yourself.

I have noticed this about another area, and I decided it was because even more guys lie about that, so a lot of girls think half a foot is 8".

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

Why the hell would you lie about your height? You'd be better off lying about your dick size.

 

[low-G]

Who doesn't pad their attributes a little?

They don't exactly check...

I don't. And they do check, sometimes. "Oh my friend is 6' 4"!"

Tall master race.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Jason, and the rest of you guys with elbow pain/tendinitis, you should watch this.

http://glennpendlay.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/got-tendonitis/

I don't pad. Seems too easy to see how tall you are by standing next to you. But then if enough guys lie, girls think you are taller than you are, even if you don't lie yourself.

I have noticed this about another area, and I decided it was because even more guys lie about that, so a lot of girls think half a foot is 8".

I think we just learned more about you than we wanted to know!

 

[Bricfa]

In Fight Club Brad Pitt weighed about 155lbs or so at roughly 6%-8% bodyfat (and he's about 5'11"). Just something to chew on while I edit this post for a proper response.


First thing's first, since it's a pretty damn good resource on fat loss and body recomposition, check out Lyle McDonald's two essays on fat loss fundamentals:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-fundamentals-of-fat-loss-diets-part-1.html
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-fundamentals-of-fat-loss-diets-part-2.html

Once you've read that and let it all sunk in, use the hell out of that university gym. You're not depending on the cardio class for your fat loss, but you're taking advantage of the gym equipment they have. At least, I hope so - do they have a squat rack, barbells, dumbbells, etc? This could play a huge role in how you train. Honestly I wouldn't bother with a Bowflex or anything like that. You want to increase strength, so the barbell program in the OP is your best bet. If that's not an option you may have to use a dumbbell program or use bodyweight resistance for strength gains.

Lateral pulldowns are a mediocre substitute for pull-ups if you can't do them yet. Otherwise they are better as a muscle-building accessory movement.

This link might will be of better service for your pull-up and back strength endeavors.

http://www.alkavadlo.com/2010/09/learning-to-do-a-pull-up/

Since fat loss is your first goal (weight loss is for people much heavier than you), get crackin' on that, and keep your diet on point as much as possible. This will be your primary focus, losing a pound or two every week while you add strength to your flesh. Keeping a good strength training regimen will make certain that you look good at the end of your road. Eventually, though, you will reach a point where losing fat and getting that Bruce Lee/Fight Club look will be more difficult than ever. Don't be in a rush to reach this point, but it will happen. Don't fret over what the scale says, it's going to lie from time to time. The mirror will tell the whole truth. After all, you'll probably be bigger than Brad Pitt in the end (without being as rich or famous). But losing those last few pounds for a full six pack will be arduous and requires more patience than most endeavors.

Haha, I was half joking about the fight club look, but yes fat loss is my primary goal at this point. I will see if the full-six pack is a goal for me when I get there.

Those Australian pull-ups seem promising, I'll have to try them if I can find an appropriate spot.

What do you think about strength training on the same days as cardio? (especially starting out)

 

[parrotbeak]

I think we just learned more about you than we wanted to know!

Ya, I have abnormally long fingers. Especially considering I'm 4"11'.

 

[MjFrancis]

What do you think about strength training on the same days as cardio? (especially starting out)

If I do cardio on the same day as my strength training it's always afterwards, never before.

 

[Acid08]

If I do cardio on the same day as my strength training it's always afterwards, never before.

What's the reason for this?

 

[parrotbeak]

If I do cardio on the same day as my strength training it's always afterwards, never before.

Me too, and after reading the discussion over the weekend, I'm sticking with that. I don't think I'm near the level where tiny things matter. Main thing is it fits my schedule and I do it regularly.

What's the reason for this?

My reason is that lifting is a lot harder and takes more concentration than cardio so I want to be as fresh as possible.

 

[Mr.City]

The size thing is weird.

 

[rando14]

I don't, otherwise I would tell you all I weigh 215.

I'm exactly 5 foot 8 (68inches exactly) and 240lbs.

Oh wow you're almost exactly my height but you have like 90 lbs on me! o_o

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Oh wow you're almost exactly my height but you have like 90 lbs on me! o_o

Yeah, I'd say at least 20lbs of that is fat though.

 

[lazybum131]

I am by no means a fitness expert but is it just the picture or are your legs (specifically the left one in the picture) extremely skinny?

Not a good angle. His legs look pretty defined, notice the bulge above the knee.

Yeah, I'm a photography noob. My upper thighs have had the biggest visual growth since I've started barbell lifting. My legs should be more developed than my upper body, they're farther along strength-wise relative to my body weight according to those strength calculators posted in this thread.

Every once in a while a friend that's 5'6" says he's gonna go buy a pair of elevator shoes.

 

[Cooter]

Finally got 7 muscle ups in a row! When it was all said and done I finished with 34 on 6 sets for the day. 7,6,5,6,5,5. Extremely satisfying. Inching closer to 10 in a row.

 

[MrToughPants]

Straps finally came in, RDLs tomorrow.

These moose burgers don't taste any different than beef and they're much leaner than the extra lean beef I get at the grocery store.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

I did 25 pullups on my first set this evening at the gym, yet I still can't do a muscle up.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Straps finally came in, RDLs tomorrow.

These moose burgers don't taste any different than beef and they're much leaner than the extra lean beef I get at the grocery store.

Did you have to special order them or something? What is the price like?

Also, I feel this may have been overlooked in all the penis talk earlier.

Jason, and the rest of you guys with elbow pain/tendinitis, you should watch this.

http://glennpendlay.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/got-tendonitis/

 

[MjFrancis]

 

[Cooter]

I did 25 pullups on my first set this evening at the gym, yet I still can't do a muscle up.

How high are you going up?

 

[Bit-Bit]

Holy shit!

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

I'm thinking that's in reverse.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

I bring my chin above the bar.

 

[Cooter]

I bring my chin above the bar.

Practice on exploding up and going above your nipples.

 

[kylej]

That's my warmup exercise.

 

[Diatribe1974]

Any advice on a beginner (been so long since I worked out, I might as well consider myself a beginner) for building pure strength? I'm in a profession that is helped out by having brains as well as brawn, so I figured it was time to get into the gym and get back to the kind of strength I had in my younger years.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Any advice on a beginner (been so long since I worked out, I might as well consider myself a beginner) for building pure strength? I'm in a profession that is helped out by having brains as well as brawn, so I figured it was time to get into the gym and get back to the kind of strength I had in my younger years.

Did you read the OP?

 

[Diatribe1974]

Did you read the OP?

Whoops! BRB. I r gud reddur.

 

[MrToughPants]

Did you have to special order them or something? What is the price like?

Also, I feel this may have been overlooked in all the penis talk earlier.

Funny thing, I had saved them on Amazon because they were so cheap, Schiek 2" nylon straps for like $8 a pair, and my wife just happened to order them with her books last week.

I ordered them for RDLs since it's better to have a double overhand grip for muscle balance and safety.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

Funny thing, I had saved them on Amazon because they were so cheap, Schiek 2" nylon straps for like $8 a pair, and my wife just happened to order them with her books last week.

I ordered them for RDLs since it's better to have a double overhand grip for muscle balance and safety.

I was talking about the meat!

Funny how that worked out though. I've ended up with unexpected packages the same way.

 

[Timedog]

I am by no means a fitness expert but is it just the picture or are your legs (specifically the left one in the picture) extremely skinny?

His quads look pretty built, can't tell about the hamstrings. Calves might be a little skinny, but that's why I do calf isolation exercises despite the recommendations of the thread not to.

 

[MrToughPants]

I was talking about the meat!

Funny how that worked out though. I've ended up with unexpected packages the same way.

The moose was free. Father in law hunts so he gave us some.

 

[Brolic Gaoler]

The moose was free. Father in law hunts so he gave us some.

Fuck hunting moose. I saw those things in person in Alaska, fucking giants.

Damn and I thought you knew a way to get some regularly.

 

[gdt]

Cutting out the bread and the rice. My new found chicken on the skillet skills are coming in very, very handy. I'm gonna buy a shit bunch of veggies tomorrow.

I only like broccoli covered in general tsao's sauce .


So, my diet is looking like

Oatmeal with ground flax seed and a banana.
Protein shake with 12oz of fat free milk and one and a half scoops of whey protein
Chicken and Veggies (I'll probably eat a banana here too. Love bananas.) Or substitute veggies for a baked potato with a bit of low fat sour cream.
Greek yogurt/protein bar.

Lots of water yada yada yada. I'll also probably throw in these Special K cracker chips that I'm totally in love with now throughout the day. Probably with my last meal at 7pmish.

Good/bad/ewww?