For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

[dieselboy]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Better prices for NO Xplode on amazon.com. Plus you can get free shipping on some of their stuff.

Thanks for the advice! I saved a bit.

[stewaat]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

For my chest days, I do bench for four weeks, then use DBs or something else. I hate the "what do you bench?" machismo that happens at gyms and with guys. lol. I also go slowly and focus on form, unlike the slobbering beasts that are sweating and grunting and making everyone uncomfortable! lol

Oh no these people don't sweat...I sweat.

They sit around texting in between sets then put up way too much weight with horrible form...accomplishing nothing.

I honestly think I'm one of three people who actually sweat while lifting at my gym.

[oakfan162]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Oh no these people don't sweat...I sweat.

They sit around texting in between sets then put up way too much weight with horrible form...accomplishing nothing.

I honestly think I'm one of three people who actually sweat while lifting at my gym.

I hate that, I think there should be a generally accepted rules of the gym that should be posted in every weightroom around the nation. If you don't follow them, yer out!

[ehh]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I'm continuing to do high rep sets w. limited rest in between and I'm feeling better than I have in years. I'm trying to lose a few LB's and I'm tired of Olympic lifting so this is a great change of pace. I'd always feel a bit sluggish when doing hardcore lifting programs - the main reason I lift is to limit back pain and stay in shape for basketball so the heavy stuff wasn't the best for me (not that anything is for extended periods of time).

I'm doing DB squats, DB lunges and DB step ups (going up a flight of stairs covering three steps in each stride) along with typical upper body stuff. There are a few too many isolation exercises in the circuit but I'm okay with that as I'm not trying to put on a ton of muscle right now.

[USF11]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I agree with the NO-Explode. It's great before workouts, only thing is it dehydrates me quite a bit, so I have to piss like crazy from all the water I drink.

If it hasn't already been said, has anyone tried BSN's protein powder? I swear, if you put milk, the powder, and an ice cube or two in a blender, it tastes just like a regular milkshake. I've tried Optimum Nutrition and GNC powders, and they suck horribly compared to BSN, in my opinion.

A nice little success story for everyone, too. I started lifting seriously again about 2 months ago. I weigh 175-180 lbs and am 6'1". Needless to say, I considered the "bench your bodyweight" goal fairly difficult because I'm relatively skinny. Well I just hit it today, benching 175 lbs three times unassisted. I couldn't do 120 lbs even once when I started. Now my 10-rep weight is about 145. It was probably the most motivating moment of my lifting career, and I've found that focusing on strength helps me stay motivated more than focusing on gaining size. The size is coming along, but the strength gains are what gets me excited to get back in the gym each day.

I literally live off of BSN protein powders. They are so good. I just funnel the powder into a aquafina bottle and im off!

[dieselboy]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Repped my body weight on bench today.

1st time ever.

Word.

[stewaat]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Repped my body weight on bench today.

1st time ever.

Word.

Congrats on 135!

[ehh]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I tore my meniscus over the weekend, just when it started to get warm out! Bull****.

Oh well, the doc said recovery is only 3-4 weeks after the surgery so hopefully I'll be okay by the end of May.

[USF11]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Congrats on 135!

Hey remember when 135 was a major milestone. Now 315 is the milestone.

[stewaat]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Hey remember when 135 was a major milestone. Now 315 is the milestone.

I came out of the womb repping 225.

Haha but seriously 315 is not a milestone unless we're talking about squats!!!

I don't know if I could do 225...I don't bench.

If you get close to 315, kudos to you sir.

[USF11]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I came out of the womb repping 225.

Haha but seriously 315 is not a milestone unless we're talking about squats!!!

I don't know if I could do 225...I don't bench.

If you get close to 315, kudos to you sir.

I dont have a spotter ever so I usually stop at 275 which I can do 2-4 times depending if I am feeling it. I can do 225 18-20 times.

I am only 6'2 180 pounds and have extremely long arms so I am at a disadvantage.

One thing I cant stress enough and I didnt learn this for almost 10 years. If something hurts your doing it wrong. I stopped screwing around with incline/decline and focused on flat benches.

While incline and decline develop different parts of the chest, they are not a natural motion and can cause shoulder problems.

[larrygiterdone]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I dont have a spotter ever so I usually stop at 275 which I can do 2-4 times depending if I am feeling it. I can do 225 18-20 times.

I am only 6'2 180 pounds and have extremely long arms so I am at a disadvantage.

One thing I cant stress enough and I didnt learn this for almost 10 years. If something hurts your doing it wrong. I stopped screwing around with incline/decline and focused on flat benches.

While incline and decline develop different parts of the chest, they are not a natural motion and can cause shoulder problems.

same here dude, i stopped the incline/decline bench as the results werent worth the hassle

[Vince]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

For my chest days, I do bench for four weeks, then use DBs or something else. I hate the "what do you bench?" machismo that happens at gyms and with guys. lol. I also go slowly and focus on form, unlike the slobbering beasts that are sweating and grunting and making everyone uncomfortable! lol

Dumbell bench is better anyway.

I haven't benched with the bar in almost 6 months.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

Congrats on 135!

I'd be ecstatic if I could do 135. Right now I can't even get into triple digits.

[Jonesy]

Re: For all you guys wanting to gain muscle, size, etc.

I dont have a spotter ever so I usually stop at 275 which I can do 2-4 times depending if I am feeling it. I can do 225 18-20 times.

damn mate that is pretty impressive. Any tips for improving bench strength? Do you do pyramids etc or stick with the same weight and slowly increase it over time?