parrotbeak
Member
Are you also still off the Beefaroni? Cuz if so that is even more impressive.
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Fitness |OT3| BroScience, Protein Dysentery, XXL Calf Implants, and Squat Rack Hogs
- Thread starter Anton Sugar
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Thanks man. I'm comfortable at 182-185 and I like being able to put up the weight I do at this size.
I'm not a guy with a thin frame who can get abs easily. It's a lot of work.
Spiritreaver
Member
Yeah this is what I've been struggling with. I really should care less about how I look and focus more of overall fitness and strength, but it's rough. Especially if I plan to pursue my interest in bodybuilding comps.
I also struggle with some pretty extreme body image issues. From being obese to dealing with the shallowness of the gay community, it's easy to get more focused on having a nice set of abs rather than something more functional. Trying to get myself out of that mindset.
Yeesh, we're about the same height and you are a goliath by comparison.Pfft, height is overrated.
I'm 5 foot 8, and I'm glad I'm short.
Brolic Gaoler
formerly Alienshogun
No, I cut all that shit out. I do miss it though, I love beefaroni. I only have 1 cheat day a week now, and that's usually for a burger or pizza and the occasional beer. That's how I'm maintaining 240 and losing fat. I have recently been bouncing between 239-240 this week. I'm sure upping my hill sprints is having that effect. I wonder how much water weight I would lose if I got off creatine. That's not happening any time soon though.
If you're a bodybuilder, you're a bodybuilder, and looking at your photo there's no doubting your potential. You're going to be all about aesthetics, but the key is to remember that strength has to come with it too. The best bodybuilders were also strong as shit. In fact, check out this article.
Five Things Bodybuilders Can Learn from Powerlifters, Part 1
You're going to have those body image issues because of your fat history. I've dealt with that my whole life. Even when I was 170 and in running shape I still thought I was fat, and for my body type, that's pretty fucking thin (I was in size 28 jeans and they were loose). Try to think less of what others think and check yourself out. That will help your self esteem immensely. When you think more of yourself, others do too.
But I'm also not "cut" like you are. You're basically a BB and I'm a PL, although I'm working hard on my conditioning now too to get the fat down.
HarryHengst
Member
Boobs are never pointless.
parrotbeak
Member
Inverted nipples?
Brolic Gaoler
formerly Alienshogun
I disagree, and I was wrong about the quote, it wasn't Wendler, (althought it sounds like something he would say, it was Shelby Starnes.)
I also had it a bit wrong.
Shelby Starnes: “Abs on skinny guys are like boobs on a fat chick—they don’t count!”
My left knee gives me trouble as well. I think I have some kind of patellar mal-tracking. I got an X-ray and an MRI and there was nothing seriously wrong, mechanically, with the knee.
Does the side of your knee hurt where the IT band leads into the kneecap at all?
Etrian Oddity
Member
Hey gents, what's a good way to get your body prepared for situps? I know they're inferior to crunches, but since I want to become a military officer after graduating from my college, I need to meet their requirements.
As it is, I can do a lot of crunches but I can't manage situps without a considerable weight on my feet. Could it because I'm overweight and a rubber tire around your belly stops you; or perhaps I lack enough quad strength; or I lack sufficient back strength?
What are some good exercises other than situps to prepare your muscles for them? Keep in mind I'm getting back into my jogging rhythm, so I'll eventually get slimmer.
As it is, I can do a lot of crunches but I can't manage situps without a considerable weight on my feet. Could it because I'm overweight and a rubber tire around your belly stops you; or perhaps I lack enough quad strength; or I lack sufficient back strength?
What are some good exercises other than situps to prepare your muscles for them? Keep in mind I'm getting back into my jogging rhythm, so I'll eventually get slimmer.
Nah it seems to be pretty isolated to the front of the knee on the top of patella ligament(i just looked that up). Its weird that I feel nothing when I press the bottom part of this ligament, only the top around where it connects to the patella
Spiritreaver
Member
Really great read, thanks for the link. Really coincides with how I feel about my future goals. A lot of the things brought up int he article are what I've been aiming to focus on with my next set of goals.
Totally trying to work on the self-esteem. Definitely a lot better than last year, but I still hit some shitty low points.
Hah yeah, we're both built for different gameplans. I just seems to have a strong admiration for people who go other routes in fitness.
I thought they tested situps with weight on your feet?? Anyways I suppose negatives would the best way, assuming you can do at least a few situps. Basically just do a situp, but return the to resting position as slow as possible while keeping your back as straight as possible.
Situps and crunches are an awful exercise and doesn't even really test any specific or useful strengths. I just needed to get that out of the way too.
I just wanted to add that I feel humbled to have been noted for even one tiny iota of inspiration for your warpath today.
Thanks for the link, I'm always interested in reading anything barefoot running. I don't do as much of it anymore, but if I'm going to it's the only way to go.
For anyone considering taking up barefoot running, keep in mind if you can't walk barefoot, you certainly aren't going to have much success trying to run barefoot. Take it slow... you have muscles and tendons that are likely weak and feeble, especially if you don't spend much time barefoot at all. The transition will be slow, and many people I know gave up before they ever made the full transition. I'm fortunate to have ran track in high school and spent a considerable amount of time barefoot in my late teens and early twenties. When I started running again I did so barefoot and it was an easy transition given my history and my initial cardiovascular limitations. There was a time when jogging a full half-mile was a personal milestone.
I say this partially in jest, as someone who's 170lbs in the four-pack club, but I concur. Biceps and triceps are the number one thing another person will notice, especially in a smedium-sized T-shirt (wearers of this oddity know who they are), followed by a broad shoulder-chest base and my absolute favorite, the traps. Having traps that show in a T-shirt exudes testosterone in a manner that cannot be accurately captured with words.AlienShogun said:
As I've progressed in my workouts and my knowledge of fitness, I've stopped judging peoples' "fitness and strength" levels by their arms, and now I look primarily at their lats to see if they're the real deal. Any bozo can do a frat workout of "pecs and bis", but a really nice back usually indicates a serious lifter.
What do you guys do if you are still super sore on your next workout day? I'm on the Stronglifts program and my thighs/ass are so sore from my last day still that its a little difficult to walk. I can't imagine being able to accomplish my squats.
Should I just power through and do as much as I can, even if it's only 1 rep a set? Or should I deload a bit...which is against the rules of SL. Feel like I won't be able to get anything done if I don't deload..
Should I just power through and do as much as I can, even if it's only 1 rep a set? Or should I deload a bit...which is against the rules of SL. Feel like I won't be able to get anything done if I don't deload..
Brolic Gaoler
formerly Alienshogun
For those of you looking to make a home gym EFTS has a sale on power racks.
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&pid=5416
If it doesn't effect ROM, go for it. If it does, do an extended warm up and see if ROM is still effected. If your ROM is still not right after the extended warm up, you might opt to go a little easy on yourself so you don't risk injury.
Now that that's out of the way. If I were you I'd push through it and be a man.
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&pid=5416
If it doesn't effect ROM, go for it. If it does, do an extended warm up and see if ROM is still effected. If your ROM is still not right after the extended warm up, you might opt to go a little easy on yourself so you don't risk injury.
Now that that's out of the way. If I were you I'd push through it and be a man.
parrotbeak
Member
When I was doing SL last year there were days I was walking all stiff but once I warmed up I was fine. It's funny how bad DOMS disappears as soon as you are warm.
I have similar thoughts. But in clothes, arms and chest/shoulders are the first things I notice. Unless their traps are huge or their shirt is tight, I don't notice it as much. Which is unfortunate since I use the traps as an assumption that a lifter is committed to full-body training. They exude raw power. The pecs and biceps fellas may seem a little lopsided, but more power to them. Doesn't hurt my feelings that they're leaving the squat rack open for me one bit.
Brolic Gaoler
formerly Alienshogun
On that note, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I just put on a pair of jeans I just bought last month. They fit fine then, now I put them on and the ass/thigh/ham area feels like it's going to explode (literally). I know it's not from weight gain, as I've said I'm losing fat quite well and the "tightness" is in the places I've been exploding in gains lately.
Should I sell these? Take them back? Is getting jeans altered expensive? Didn't you say you had some altered before?
Guess I'm going to have to try on a lot more pants before simply buying them now.
And yeah, traps/lats are some of the first things I notice on dudes if I suspect they lift.
Anton Sugar
Member
Leg growth makes buying jeans fucking horrible. I honestly keep all mine, because I never know if I'll want to bulk up or slim down.
Spiritreaver
Member
Ugh, I went through a huge fiasco with buying jeans last month. it's hard finding jeans that fit my waist but can actually reach over my quads. I had to return four pairs of jeans and still couldn't find any that fit well.
Thank god I can wear shorts again.
EDIT: I won't lie, I am part of the medium shirt community. Mostly when I go clubbing though.
Thank god I can wear shorts again.
EDIT: I won't lie, I am part of the medium shirt community. Mostly when I go clubbing though.
DarthWufei, I have no doubt you rock a smedium T-shirt on occasion, but I'm sure you do it well. Club on!
But I certainly try on every pair of jeans or pants before I buy them. My legs could be much bigger but I'm finding myself in sweatpants more frequently than not out of convenience.
I never had jeans altered, but X-Frame may have. I believe he had some crazy big thigh and hip measurements. Using the classic Greek proportions my "core" is mostly on point for my bone structure (ideal size is 31.9" waist and 38.7" hips but I'm 30.5" and 39" respectively). Wearing 32" or 33" jeans is just more sensible with that size disparity.
But I certainly try on every pair of jeans or pants before I buy them. My legs could be much bigger but I'm finding myself in sweatpants more frequently than not out of convenience.
cuevas. PhD.
Member
Don't feel bad, mediums feel good.
Although at the gym I still go large and all my shirts still have sleeves.
Spiritreaver
Member
Haha MJ, word! At least I don't own any Hurley or Affliction shirts, or whatever the fuck douchebros wear these days.
Figured out my squat problem. I spent half an hour watching Rippetoe videos before hitting legs and the issue was pretty obvious. No hip drive. Smith machine made me lazy. I kept things light still, only going up to 245, but it went MUCH better. Repped it out easy, no balance issues, felt it everywhere. I could've kept going but I did a ton of sets just to check form. Just gonna keep at it and work my way back up to 315.
Boy did I not miss the nervousness of squatting though.
Without a doubt, I really don't care how I look in the gym. As long as I smell okay and I can move. If I had a dime for how many times I've worn black and blue...
Figured out my squat problem. I spent half an hour watching Rippetoe videos before hitting legs and the issue was pretty obvious. No hip drive. Smith machine made me lazy. I kept things light still, only going up to 245, but it went MUCH better. Repped it out easy, no balance issues, felt it everywhere. I could've kept going but I did a ton of sets just to check form. Just gonna keep at it and work my way back up to 315.
Boy did I not miss the nervousness of squatting though.
Horse Detective
Why the long case?
What is BroScience?
DR2K
Banned
Yeah my gluteous maximus makes jean shopping a real treat, I swear I've lost most of my fat, but my butt just will not get smaller. Never have to pay for drinks though, so a little upside.
All my shirts are medium everything else I use as rags. Sorry inferior size race.
It's locker room talk; dogma or 'common knowledge' without scientific or logical backing.
Got to blast those delts bro!
Eat carbs only before 2pm, otherwise you won't get gains.
More volume = more results
etc.
This thread tries to generally avoid broscience, as it isn't helpful (and can be harmful) to getting the results you want with minimal hassle and maximum efficiency and being safe while doing it.
Typically, it's anecdotal evidence that people who are successful at the gym. Random person does something, makes up a reason why it works, suggests it to somebody else, it works for that person, and thus becomes a "fact" of fitness.
Six meals a day, not eating breakfast makes you fat, etc. etc.
Some BroScience has some backing behind it that makes sense and will probably work, but most of it is just various fitness tips that work but the reasoning that they've made up to determine why it works is complete crap. It's not always bad stuff, but makes sure you check everything that anybody tells you.
Side note, some BroScience is determined by people who use steroids. At that point, they can't tell if it's the chems or whatever they were doing.
Horse Detective
Why the long case?
Ah okay.
I guess I better read the op. I have an okay diet, and have started working out recently.
I guess I better read the op. I have an okay diet, and have started working out recently.
Do advanced lifters heal faster than beginners, given the same workload? i.e. does the body learn to heal itself faster when it's had a lot of experience healing certain types of trauma?
Also, being tall sucks in the gym but it has it's advantages elsewhere
I'd say that there'll be some healing adaptation, yeah, and their nervous system can handle more work.
Issues with the workload is that you won't actually get as much damage from an advanced lifter because their system is so hardened to higher stress. Low percentage workload just doesn't faze things.
Example: someone squatting 225 at 80% 1RM versus 60% 1RM. I'd argue that 60% guy will have an easier time recovering from the lift (volume constant), though less of a difference than you'd think.
Do advanced lifters heal faster than beginners, given the same workload? i.e. does the body learn to heal itself faster when it's had a lot of experience healing certain types of trauma?
Also, being tall sucks in the gym but it has it's advantages elsewhere
Advanced lifters have a better adapted CNS. Thus, they generally lift more efficiently than novice lifters and they are stronger too boot. So, it's not that they really heal faster it's that they're not receiving as much trama doing the same workload as a beginner. (well, they may be due to eating more food and generally being better athletes, but you get the point)
The more advanced you get you will actually hit a point where you need more rest than a beginner. For example, you can go up 5 lbs per work out on a basic LP program, but a five pound jump on a true one rep max deadlift on an elite lifter might take a few months of work and a few weeks of deload with only a few days of gym time during those weeks to recuperate from the CNS workload.
hawkshockey11
Banned
So I am going to try everything I can to play division 1 hockey at my school next year. I have no idea what I am getting myself into though. I was always above average in travel and varsity but lack of strength was a huge issue.
Now I'm on SL and I feel like I will be somewhere by the summer in terms of strength, but I want to know if anyone has any routines or tips helpful for high level athletes.
Now I'm on SL and I feel like I will be somewhere by the summer in terms of strength, but I want to know if anyone has any routines or tips helpful for high level athletes.
Do not ignore power cleans.
hawkshockey11
Banned
Haha I have been. Time to start I guess.
Take creatine along with your working out. It's cheap and it works.
FallingEdge
Member
Thanks for the info dood!
Also, I'm thinking of incorporating the jerk and snatch into my workout but I am scared to do so =/
Need to start super light.
CliqWriter
Member
Kinda like Nike- Just do it. If you can the night before go ahead and ice and stretch. If it is any inspiration some days after xc long days (15 miles) I had to work for 4 hours and do homework. With workout the next day. ( This is after a day of high school). You can do it, it will hurt but just bear with it.
Do advanced lifters heal faster than beginners, given the same workload? i.e. does the body learn to heal itself faster when it's had a lot of experience healing certain types of trauma?
Also, being tall sucks in the gym but it has it's advantages elsewhere
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982522703/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Oooooh, yes. On my must get list. Reading Starting Strength right now.
Psychotext
Member
Thanks for those. I always find the nutrition aspect of thing interesting.
Loads of good stuff on that site.
Legs are really the only thing that ever gets 'super-sore' for me. And its usually only real bad if I haven't worked out in a while, so the first one or two leg workouts are pretty rough for 3-4 days. For these periods, I stick to chest/arm/shoulder/back/ab exercises to save myself the pain cuz sometimes 'working through it' isn't an option its so bad(like when you can barely walk and want to cry at the thought of going up or down steps).
Are you just starting out? After a few workouts, it'll probably get better and you wont be nearly as sore.
Alright guys, I've got a question for y'all - I'm been running and lately my shins are starting to hurt. Its just a minor shin splint, but it happens nearly every time I run now and goes away after a couple days. The few people I talked to about it have told me its probably cuz I'm flat-footed(which I am very much), but they couldn't give me any answers on how to solve the problem. Aside from spending a ton of money on some custom shoes or something, is there anything I can do to help the situation? In the meantime, I'm just gonna use the elliptical machines for cardio workouts, but I'd really like to be able to get out and do some running once the weather gets real nice.
Also, that barefoot running info was pretty cool. Looked up a few videos on it, too. I'm not sure its for me, though. Being flat-footed might make it difficult and definitely wouldn't help my shin splint problem.
Chittagong
Gold Member
After I started to do 5-6 exercises a week (half cardio, half weight) I have started napping during days, and need more sleep. Normal?
Brolic Gaoler
formerly Alienshogun
Yep.
hawkshockey11
Banned
Have a recommendation?
I use Optimum Nutrition Creatine Powder, but any mono creapure creatine will be fine.
Jason's Ultimatum
Member
So says you. I'll take women swooning over my physique than being fat and strong. A lot of powerlifters at my old gym ended up having chicken cartilage injected from all the pain and injuries. Fuck that.
And being tall isn't "overrated." Don't know where the logic in that came from. Women like tall men, and being short just, well, sucks?
FallingEdge
Member
You can still be big without being fat, ya know.
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