I don't think aesthetics is even an issue with Starting Strength as long as you do all the exercises and add pull-ups to supplement. But then again, I'm weird in that my bench is much closer to my squats than most I see in here.
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Fitness |OT8| Dad Bods, Bulge Swelfies, and Wait...Do you even lift bro?
- Thread starter Chocobro
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I don't think aesthetics is even an issue with Starting Strength as long as you do all the exercises and add pull-ups to supplement. But then again, I'm weird in that my bench is much closer to my squats than most I see in here.
FallingEdge
Member
3 days a week is a nice base but (and this is where my opinion will differ greatly from the thread), I see nothing wrong with adding an additional arm day or even just after your workout, do some hammer curls, high curls, concentration curls, etc. Everyone says that compound lifts will cause your arms to grow and yes, while this is true, I ended up falling behind in the long run in my arms because for me, it just wasn't enough.
If you want to do more arms, I say do it up.
I definitely don't disagree with you. Even when I did SS I was working out 5-6 days a week with one arm day, one core day and a cable-only high rep day in addition to the compound days. SS is an amazing base but it's sparse. It's a great place to start. When beginners ask though, it's hard to suggest tweaking the proven methods. What worked for me (such as a high rep cable day) might be absurd, too much, counterproductive for someone else.
FallingEdge
Member
Yeah, I did none of this and just stuck with the standard 3 days a week. The simplicity of SS is its brilliance, but it is lacking a lot as well. And I get it too, no need to overwhelm people who are just starting or don't really understand what they are doing in the gym. Stick with the basics. That being said, a fair amount of people who get started are also looking into it for vanity reasons and there is nothing wrong with that. It is why if people want to do more direct arm or core work, I encourage it.
You hit your arms three days a week, not once (see bolded). They all hit your arms in one way or another. Bench and press hit your triceps and rows/pull-ups hit your biceps.
To be fair, if he's mostly in for aesthetics, FE is right...that's probably not enough arms to get the look he wants.
Thanks for the input. This seems like the most exanation. I mean, my clothes fit better each week so I definitely think some heavy water retention is going on. And like you said, I usually don't have a carb spike on a rest day like that.
I should clarify I eat 2000 on rest days but on workout days I usually add in a banana and a scoop of whey so a little over that 3 days a week
Still up 4.6lbs somehow, i'm taking a cutting break anyway, when i realized i've been so strict all this time, i felt like my body needed a week or 2 to just relax, but keeping an eye on the scale anyway. Not concerned at all.
Weight loss, especially long term, is usually not linear. Fluctuations are part of the process. No worries. The thing is to be consistent.
Weight loss, especially long term, is usually not linear. Fluctuations are part of the process. No worries. The thing is to be consistent.
rokkerkory
Member
You think you guys are tough?
Look at this: http://hw-mobile.worldstarhiphop.com/u/vid/2015/06/M7ObK50Z0Df8_mobile.mp4?ri=512000&rs=850
Look at this: http://hw-mobile.worldstarhiphop.com/u/vid/2015/06/M7ObK50Z0Df8_mobile.mp4?ri=512000&rs=850
Pancakes
hot, steaming, as melted butter slips into the cracks, drizzled with sticky sweet syrup OH GOD
Interesting new video from Alan Thrall about a common squat mistake with hips shooting back on the ascent. I'm probably guilty of doing this to some extent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB8KekoCeNg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB8KekoCeNg
True.
I'm always super anal about my back and I'm convinced I hurt myself once squatting this way.
Same with deadlifiting. I'm always anal about keeping my back in the right position and letting my legs do the work.
Dat ninja training.
Their scramble reminds me of this guy.
http://youtu.be/VmU6BChuiBs
However, his technique is far superior.
Pancakes
hot, steaming, as melted butter slips into the cracks, drizzled with sticky sweet syrup OH GOD
Yea, one of my biggest fears is damaging my back, spine, or discs is some gruesome fashion while lifting heavy.
cuevas. PhD.
Member
What's a solid nutrition book for someone who is just being introduced to eating better? no fasting, keto, etc stuff
BruceLeeRoy
Banned
So I got this pinched nerve in my neck back around March and it completely froze the left side of my upper body. I couldn't flex my chest or lat on that side. Previous to that I had been trying to gain 15lbs of muscle and get my bench to finally 315 and my DL's to 405. I was on track for all of it and having the best workouts of my life and then this stupid nerve thing happened. I lost almost 20lbs all the way from 197 to 182 and all that strength progress is gone. Thankfully my lat and chest have started responding again so I can hit them but I literally can't lift even what I could 10 years ago. I was really down about the whole thing but then I decided to switch to a different tactic.
High Reps + Sprint Training and Endurance Hiking.
I took this today and I am overall kind of happy with where I am sitting at despite the circumstances. I still hate not going for a larger aesthetic and chasing Darths legs but it is what it is. Just reminded me that no matter what happens to you when you have lifted your whole life you got to adapt and find different goals to hit.
Thanks for the advice Shogun it helped a lot there in the beginning and i'm convinced that roller got my nerve to respond faster. Sorry for the long rant but being in the Fitness thread helps a lot when your going through something like that so you don't get too discouraged. Even though Do I even lift? Probably not
Yes those are superman sweatpants from Walmart and I am pretty sure they are girls pants.
High Reps + Sprint Training and Endurance Hiking.
I took this today and I am overall kind of happy with where I am sitting at despite the circumstances. I still hate not going for a larger aesthetic and chasing Darths legs but it is what it is. Just reminded me that no matter what happens to you when you have lifted your whole life you got to adapt and find different goals to hit.
Thanks for the advice Shogun it helped a lot there in the beginning and i'm convinced that roller got my nerve to respond faster. Sorry for the long rant but being in the Fitness thread helps a lot when your going through something like that so you don't get too discouraged. Even though Do I even lift? Probably not
Yes those are superman sweatpants from Walmart and I am pretty sure they are girls pants.
Like a diet book or just overall nutrition?
Probably the Renaissance Diet book?
You're about to step into the land of Pseudo-science. You'll be knee deep in bullshit, getting recommendations from people who are more dedicated to their platform than the staunchest MS/Sony fanboys on GAF. Nutrition makes console wars look like a cute and sensible discussion.
With that in mind, you don't *really* need a book unless you're out for something hyper specific in your diet.
BruceLeeRoy
Banned
Haha they are bro. Yeah I lost a lot in my right pec its so weird. Ill find a pic I had from 2 months ago it look fricken deflated.
The glow started to fade for me this year bro. Thanks though
BruceLeeRoy
Banned
Coot! I wanted to talk to you. I'm going to be back in Tahoe for a couple weeks this summer. Lets get together.
The Lean Muscle Diet by Alan Aragon and Lou Schuler is a good one.
rokkerkory
Member
So I got this pinched nerve in my neck back around March and it completely froze the left side of my upper body. I couldn't flex my chest or lat on that side. Previous to that I had been trying to gain 15lbs of muscle and get my bench to finally 315 and my DL's to 405. I was on track for all of it and having the best workouts of my life and then this stupid nerve thing happened. I lost almost 20lbs all the way from 197 to 182 and all that strength progress is gone. Thankfully my lat and chest have started responding again so I can hit them but I literally can't lift even what I could 10 years ago. I was really down about the whole thing but then I decided to switch to a different tactic.
High Reps + Sprint Training and Endurance Hiking.
I took this today and I am overall kind of happy with where I am sitting at despite the circumstances. I still hate not going for a larger aesthetic and chasing Darths legs but it is what it is. Just reminded me that no matter what happens to you when you have lifted your whole life you got to adapt and find different goals to hit.
Thanks for the advice Shogun it helped a lot there in the beginning and i'm convinced that roller got my nerve to respond faster. Sorry for the long rant but being in the Fitness thread helps a lot when your going through something like that so you don't get too discouraged. Even though Do I even lift? Probably not
Yes those are superman sweatpants from Walmart and I am pretty sure they are girls pants.
Looking great man, keep it up!
Seconded
I've been going through the Aragon/Schuler book. It's good but they throw out some tools like food journalling way too readily.
Where you at? I'm always in N Shore. PM me so we don't clutter the thread.
Psychotext
Member
Bah, am going backwards on my pullups. Thought they were supposed to get easier on a cut? 
FallingEdge
Member
So I got this pinched nerve in my neck back around March and it completely froze the left side of my upper body. I couldn't flex my chest or lat on that side. Previous to that I had been trying to gain 15lbs of muscle and get my bench to finally 315 and my DL's to 405. I was on track for all of it and having the best workouts of my life and then this stupid nerve thing happened. I lost almost 20lbs all the way from 197 to 182 and all that strength progress is gone. Thankfully my lat and chest have started responding again so I can hit them but I literally can't lift even what I could 10 years ago. I was really down about the whole thing but then I decided to switch to a different tactic.
High Reps + Sprint Training and Endurance Hiking.
I took this today and I am overall kind of happy with where I am sitting at despite the circumstances. I still hate not going for a larger aesthetic and chasing Darths legs but it is what it is. Just reminded me that no matter what happens to you when you have lifted your whole life you got to adapt and find different goals to hit.
Thanks for the advice Shogun it helped a lot there in the beginning and i'm convinced that roller got my nerve to respond faster. Sorry for the long rant but being in the Fitness thread helps a lot when your going through something like that so you don't get too discouraged. Even though Do I even lift? Probably not
Yes those are superman sweatpants from Walmart and I am pretty sure they are girls pants.
face gains op
fantascio physique
God Dayumm
Banned
Bah, am going backwards on my pullups. Thought they were supposed to get easier on a cut?
I'm going backwards everywhere except pullups. Maybe because they were always puny so lots of room for gains. Though that doesn't explain my squats, which are puny too and getting worse.
So I got this pinched nerve in my neck back around March and it completely froze the left side of my upper body. I couldn't flex my chest or lat on that side. Previous to that I had been trying to gain 15lbs of muscle and get my bench to finally 315 and my DL's to 405. I was on track for all of it and having the best workouts of my life and then this stupid nerve thing happened. I lost almost 20lbs all the way from 197 to 182 and all that strength progress is gone. Thankfully my lat and chest have started responding again so I can hit them but I literally can't lift even what I could 10 years ago. I was really down about the whole thing but then I decided to switch to a different tactic.
High Reps + Sprint Training and Endurance Hiking.
I took this today and I am overall kind of happy with where I am sitting at despite the circumstances. I still hate not going for a larger aesthetic and chasing Darths legs but it is what it is. Just reminded me that no matter what happens to you when you have lifted your whole life you got to adapt and find different goals to hit.
Thanks for the advice Shogun it helped a lot there in the beginning and i'm convinced that roller got my nerve to respond faster. Sorry for the long rant but being in the Fitness thread helps a lot when your going through something like that so you don't get too discouraged. Even though Do I even lift? Probably not
Yes those are superman sweatpants from Walmart and I am pretty sure they are girls pants.
Looking great Bruce!! Killer sweats.
BruceLeeRoy
Banned
Killer boots man! Hahaha I'm staying over at my sisters for this 5k and asked her if she had any extra sweatpants and these bad ass things are waiting for me on the guest bed.
FallingEdge
Member
yessssssssss
Well played, lol
Same thing happening to me right now with my random gain of 2lbs. Except I am concerned about it haha. Staaaaaahp, body. :'( I want to get under 150lbs so so badly.
Also, lol, I'm never going to announce again that I'm going to start back on an exercise program because I sabotage myself every. Single. Time. Was going to restart starting strength last night...got really nauseous/headachey/sick on the way home from work. Good times.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
Bah, am going backwards on my pullups. Thought they were supposed to get easier on a cut?
Are you getting enough a rest?
If you're eating less, your recovery time will probably be longer.
Psychotext
Member
Probably not to be honest. Work is a bit crazy at the moment and there's a lot of general life bullshit going on too.
This is a large part of why I started early morning workouts. I just get out of bed, go to the gym, and finish up before any random events can derail my plans.
even though I took a week off from the gym after a very stressing trip to london, I am still on my cutting phase and I am seeing progress. Abs are starting to show, the upper 2 are definitely there, and that's at night. I think I will acheive my goal in 2 weeks. On time for madrid pride
today I did 77.5 (170 lbs) kgs 5x3, on bench press, first time ever I load the bar with that weight. Will repeat next time because I think a couple of those might have been 3/4 reps.
80 kg is very very near, which is cool because is two 15 kgs plates (33 lbs)
today I did 77.5 (170 lbs) kgs 5x3, on bench press, first time ever I load the bar with that weight. Will repeat next time because I think a couple of those might have been 3/4 reps.
80 kg is very very near, which is cool because is two 15 kgs plates (33 lbs)
Psychotext
Member
I think you might need to be even more accurate when you enter your weight. 8 decimal places or you're not even trying!
lol, I put my weight in kilograms first and changed to imperial so you guys get the idea. The site did the change
not sure that's needed though, thanks to this thread I get the idea on either kgs or lbs.
don't you guys in the UK count in stones?
Psychotext
Member
Yeah, though I've been using kg for ages (I'm strange).
I often think I need weight plates that are measured in .00001 pound increments to advance my OHP.
I often think I need weight plates that are measured in .00001 pound increments to advance my OHP.
yeah OHP has proven to be the hardest lift to me :/ It has this peculiar thing that whenever a weight is out of my reach, my middle back will say "stop, this is not your weight" and force me to stop.
Deadlift drills my nervous system like nothing else, but that's after the lift. the lift itself is doable.
on OHP, you either admit defeat or you move like a worm to fit under the bar all while quickly approaching spine injury territory.
OHP gave me a one year wrist injury.
it's the DEVIL
I find that especially at the beginning it's really hard to make yourself go and you'll come up with reasons not to all the time. My trick is to just go anyways no matter what. Even if you feel terrible and you've had three hours of sleep go anyways. Even if you only do one sit-up that's fine, it's about the routine. You'll find that once you're there you'll probably have a much better workout than you might think. Some of my best gym sessions have been on days I didn't think I'd even make it there.
Now if you're barfing and can't get out of bed that's different, but if you can get out of the house you can usually get to the gym. My biggest issue is that I've got a really busy social life during the week and often have plans after work. I start work at 7am so going before is brutal. I try to make time.
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