View Full Version : Report for April
April - The month of injuries, sickness and depression.
Statistics:
Height: 5 feet 8-9 inches
Former weight: 145lbs
Current weight: ~170lbs
Weight gain for April: ~5lbs
The big 3, statistics:
Bench press: 70x5-6 I will move up another 10lbs on the bench tomorrow. The lack of progress is most likely psychological and just poor planning from my side.
Romanian Deadlift: 115x6+ Form is still lacking and I curse myself for not giving it some goddamn gusto when I assess the situation. The weights will move up to 120kg this week.
Squat: 70x5+ As you can see, my squat regressed and the reasons for that are injuries and form correction. I need to get some light knee braces to support because my knees simply don't progress as fast as the rest of my body.
Due to April being such a crappy month overall for me I have not progressed all that much in the big 3.
Supplements
Carboflex: Still sticking with this malto/fructose mix. It works good for me and the only reason I would switch is if I find something cheaper. It is taken post workout
Whey-80: Remember how I said I was sick and tired of the taste last month? I manned up and started binging that shit again. Apparently it was a temporary thing. I decided to switch flavours and after the last of my chocolate whey is gone I am moving over to strawberry (oh noes). I take my protein post workout and in my raw oats if I feel the daily intake needs a boost.
Creatine Monohydrate: I ended my cycle around the 20th and you know what? I didn't lose a pound.. Seems I am a non-responder to normal cheap Monohydrate.
BCAA: Branched Chained Amino Acids. After doing some research I found a more effective supplement that can replace BCAA in the future, Esa Pro which contains 7 or 8 essential amino acids. That puts it ahead of BCAA and the price is virtually the same.
ZMA: Same old same old. Read the February report if you want some info on it.
Twinlab multivitamins: I like the story of me buying this stuff.. I walked into the store and said "Hi, got any decent multivitamins that are NOT in liquid form?" the response I get is "Well I have this Twinlab stuff, it works quite well for me.." Being overall emo and injured, plus the fact that I was sick and tired of the liquid stuff I had, I just plain bought it.
Flexibility
Well, there's been progress but not much. April was a horrible month so I haven't gotten much done, that's not to say I haven't gotten anything done. My motivation is still there and I think my main concern is me losing myself when sitting by the comp and not focusing on more important things. Injuries have also been a large block in the way of progression.
My flexibility routine stays pretty consistent with dynamic flexibility preceding static passive.
Tricking
Da body starting to get heavy now mon (Jamaican ya bugger)!
Anyways, due to April once again being a horrible month there hasn't been much in terms of progress or time spent drilling here either. Backflip and Aerial are the only ones who I've been in the least concerned about. Injuries once again came in the way of most progression and training in overall.
Weekly schedule
Monday Chest and Triceps. Dojo day
Tuesday Back and Biceps
Wednesday Legs and Calves
Thursday Dojo day, depending on soreness and overall feel I drill tricks.
Friday Shoulders and Abs.
Saturday Has during April been rest day.
Sunday Always rest
After weighing down all my exercises for the abs I can finally feel them doing some damn work, and my goodness I am weak there! FOCUS SHIFT!!
Prior months I've been satisfied with my schedule but now I feel that my focus needs to take a dramatic shift. I am very satisfied with my hypertrophy gains and I feel that my gains strength wise are lacking. So I'm going to conjure up a new program with strength goals. Chicanerous' program will play a big role for May. My focus will be on core and leg strength. I will give lower priority to my arms, chest and shoulders. My initial plan looks something like this:
Monday Back, Abs and Biceps* (* If I feel the need to even do biceps)
Tuesday Shoulders, Chest and Triceps
Wednesday Rest
Thursday Dojo
Friday Legs and Abs
Saturday Rest or random anaerobic activity.
Sunday Rest
Feel free to comment on that schedule. The focus lies on strength gains.
Diet
My diet is still clean food with home cooking being the brunt of my intake. It was surprisingly easy to affect my family into thinking about this to. This is a key sentence for all you guys having trouble with your diet. Make sure your family is in on it. I decided to slow down on my weight gains during this month and it went surprisingly well without needing to count anything. My weight has kept a steady average increase of just above 1lbs per week.
I have now set a specific first weight goal before I go on the cut:
Target weight: 185 pounds, 82kg, 13,3 stones.
And people, I do cheat. Cheating is something that comes naturally because I am fairly strict in overall with my diet. My cheating consists of maybe having an ice-cream once every two weeks or so. My cheating when it comes to food is if my family has decided to cook something damned tasty that does not necessarily fall into the lines of my diet, that's a cheat meal for me and I still adjust my intake around these meals. It is not as hard as I make it sound like.
I have not had candy, snacks, soft drinks or anything resembling that during these 4 months I've been training, not even when I have felt extremely down and emo. I am discipline and motivation! I don't need those things, it feels perfectly fine just chewing some gum or drinking the magic potion instead.
Nowadays I live and breathe resistance training, nutrition and tricking in that order. All thanks to the lifegiving venom that is Tricks Tutorials.
And as you may have noticed April as a whole was a pretty crappy month both mentally and physically. At the start of the month I caught a cold and was effectively "locked away" from all strenous physical activities during that entire first week. (Working out when sick is stupid kids, it is only counter-productive and catabolic so don't bother.) I did not let that stop me but instead just rested easily. The first week was my deload week. The second week was pretty fine but I did suffer some leg problems and decided to rest easy on the leg training. The third week was horrible and I was pretty beat up in all areas. Week 4 was slightly better overall but I still felt problems with my knee after the leg day. I guess the main thing that did keep me insane was chatting it up on MSN with Scott about everything. Very seldom useful things.. Thank goodness for that. (and those were late hours you damned LA boy.)
May is going to be a punch in the face for all my problems. I'm sick and tired of the stalled progress and injuries. Time to get some light knee braces and kick some damned ass (literally.. Gluteus Maximus is going to DIE from squatting). I'm even going to try and be a nice boy here on TT, answering all your questions like the little black satanist I am. I'm also going on a job interview on monday! Dress Mann here I come hahaha!
Hope you enjoyed the report for April. May report is going to be a report full of MUSS AND STRENGTH!
Bent over Barbell rows are NOT a good abs exercise.
Squat: 70x5+ As you can see, my squat regressed and the reasons for that are injuries and form correction. I need to get some light knee braces to support because my knees simply don't progress as fast as the rest of my body.
Are you really sure that you need that support at 70kg?
Do you get checked form and so on?
Anyway, it's obviously not bad to have knee braces, but I can't really imagine a healthy person with correct form needing them at 70kg.
Are you really sure that you need that support at 70kg?
Do you get checked form and so on?
Anyway, it's obviously not bad to have knee braces, but I can't really imagine a healthy person with correct form needing them at 70kg.
I am not a healthy person. The reason I feel the need for these things is just because my knees are a mess. The reason the weight regressed and is that low is because of all the injuries this month. My form has improved on the squats but yeah, that's how weak my legs are.
Wesker
Apr-29-07, 06:50 AM
If you get sick of plain tasting whey, get some unflavored and buy some flavor packs. Then just mix the taste you want for the day.
I mostly use strawberry and watermelon, since the BSL choc I bought tastes like shit.
jkarate212
Apr-29-07, 07:02 AM
Very nice report. I was hoping for it to be out soon :) Do you have any current pics to see your hypertrophy progress (I know you posted some in your report for February, comparing those to now) Congrats on having the discipline to stay to strict with your training, something I definitely need to work on..along with getting a better lifting program. We'll see how things turn out in May, keep it up :good:
Very nice report. I was hoping for it to be out soon :) Do you have any current pics to see your hypertrophy progress (I know you posted some in your report for February, comparing those to now) Congrats on having the discipline to stay to strict with your training, something I definitely need to work on..along with getting a better lifting program. We'll see how things turn out in May, keep it up :good:
I'm actually saving that for later, the gains may feel tremendous to me and my surroundings but when compared frame to frame with older pictures it's not THAT big of a difference. Pics are for later!
anfeyd
Apr-29-07, 07:29 AM
Creatine Monohydrate: I ended my cycle around the 20th and you know what? I didn't lose a pound.. Seems I am a non-responder to normal cheap Monohydrate.
Why would you expect to lose weight on creatine?
Second, have you ever thought of dropping all of the supplements and just seeing if you continue making progess?
rock_ten
Apr-29-07, 07:46 AM
so why are your knees shit? Have you some previous injury to them, or a congenital gayness, perhaps?
If the knee problem has only started since you started lifting, I bet its because you squat with disgusting form. Knee braces will just make it less likely that your knees will strengthen - there's no way you should need any supports when lifting what you currently can. Why not post videos of your form on this, and other, forums?
I'm going to conjure up a new program with strength goals.
yes!
My initial plan looks something like this:
Monday Back, Abs and Biceps* (* If I feel the need to even do biceps)
Tuesday Shoulders, Chest and Triceps
Wednesday Rest
Thursday Dojo
Friday Legs and Abs
Saturday Rest or random anaerobic activity.
Sunday Rest
huh? It looks to me like you've just changed the days that you train each bodypart...
Infact, if you're focusing on strength, why are you even splitting by bodypart at all?
Can you give further details of your training plan for May?
Why not consider something like http://www.geocities.com/elitemadcow1/5x5_Program/Linear_5x5.htm (that site has loads of good info, if you haven't been there before)? Look on any forum and there will be 100's of people shitting themselves about the gains they got from that.
Why would you expect to lose weight on creatine?
Second, have you ever thought of dropping all of the supplements and just seeing if you continue making progess?
I'd expect to lose a few pounds of water weight when going off a cycle, which I didn't. I have given the supplement thing some thought but never really bothered to do it. Gradually I am cutting out on them but I reckon whey and carbs will stay. Taking EAA before a workout is only a good thing for the protein synthesis so that will likely stay as well. Other than that I'm satisfied with my supplements, they're not something I think about 24/7.
Rock_ten: True, the knee braces might be a horrible idea. Regarding the strength goals, I didn't change the program solely to focus on strength. The reason I switched it around was to alter my focus on parts. As you can see now there is more focus on abs first and foremost. Basically the switched focus is hard to display here. Lower reps, more sets and even more focus on compound exercises.
rock_ten
Apr-29-07, 08:20 AM
:/
well, I'll say it again, and in every one of your monthly reports - stop using a bodypart split, train important lifts more than once per week if you want to get good at them.. tbh, just doing something that you know is awesome, like in my link above, would be your best option. Even if you don't want to follow that routine, do check out the link as there is lots of valid general info on training etc.
jkarate212
Apr-29-07, 08:39 AM
Why not consider something like http://www.geocities.com/elitemadcow1/5x5_Program/Linear_5x5.htm (that site has loads of good info, if you haven't been there before)? Look on any forum and there will be 100's of people shitting themselves about the gains they got from that.
True, a lot of people on bb.com really like and enjoy the Bill Star 5x5 program, and have made great gains. I've considered starting it myself
I'm doing starr 5x5 right now (using that exact link) and I can only recommend it. I switched bench with dips on monday and rows with chin ups though.
And obviously I'm not doing sit-ups as they suck.
But the foundation of this routine is rather good imo. It doesn't wear you out. I'd only suggest doing deads before squats on wednesday.
And regarding the knees:
it's better to use braces when the knees aren't too healthy. I don't think that braces are a bad thing in this situation. Knees are so vulnerable and important that I wouldn't try risking invalidity.
Wesker
Apr-29-07, 08:59 AM
It's a good basic program that probably works very well for increasing in size. And that's done by showing you too the ground, boot to the head and forcefeeding the fact that caloric excess + lifting weights = progress.
Nothing new or fancy, but it's good solid facts.
Edit: yeah, when it comes to knees it's better to be safe than sorry, or rather hyper safe than sorry. knees can be a bitch, and are sometimes very hard or impossible to heal completely, so stay safe.
mr popular
Apr-29-07, 01:20 PM
TIME FOR ANOTHER ONE OF BRIAN'S UNCALLED-FOR, GRATUITOUSLY LONG RESPONSES TO RAHF:
I actually like that you and I are staying around the same weight now, rather than me being 10lbs heavier, because it just encourages me to make progress that much more. You're catching up to me!
anyway, these are some things that stood out to me:
Knee braces are a bad idea. Rahf, you need to fix your form, and strengthen your knees. Not wrap them in a brace and allow them to atrophy and wither away even further--especially when you aren't using very much weight at this point.
Speaking from personal experience, all knee braces do is replace the joint with an elastic stretch. They will not make your knees healthy, they will only cause them to become useless. My knees only stopped being a problem for me when I increase my hamstring flexibility, and fixed my squat form completely. (and strengthened my entire thigh: quadriceps, hamstrings, and GLUTES were very important as well. The knees take the brunt when the hips can't handle it. remember that, and strengthen your hips.)
**************************
My personal recommendation (as in, how I did it) for strengthening the hips and fixing knee problems:
Conventional deadlift with a narrow (shoulder width) stance, squat with a wide stance (very wide, feet pointed out, when you sit back to squat your torso essentially will stay vertical, and your shins likewise will stay more or less vertical). This will give your hamstrings and glutes a double-hit during the week, and will do wonders for your form in both lifts as they use similar muscle groups.
**************************
Really the only other things I would add are that you do not need to be switching up your program at all! Don't get too slippery with your routine or you will start getting diminishing results. The setup you have been following is perfectly fine.
just change up the way you train your lifts if you want to increase strength!
5x5 is actually a good method but I wouldn't recommend the exact program unless you are a powerlifter. I use it at times when I feel my strength has fallen behind, but I find I can only use it sparingly in my program and it is slower to make overall strength case when I utilize it.
**************************
The way that I personally progress in strength most often:
Traditional pyrammiding of my big exercises. Basically what I mean by this, is you will pick your big exercises that you do during the week (not just squat, bench, and deadlift..) working up in weight on each set--while decreasing the reps--for about 4-5 sets, until you find your "working weight", which is essentially a 4-6RM after cumulative fatigue on the previous sets.
SOUND CONFUSING!? well here is a simplified way of looking at it by just checking out a typical legs day for me:
Squats -- 5x(10, 8, 8, 6, 4) *
Front squats or Leg Press -- 4x(12, 10, 8, 6) **
Stiff-leg deadlifts -- 4x10
Leg curls -- 3x(12, 10, 8)
Leg extensions -- 4x20
* This exercise is done essentially for pure strength in my legs, and I will work up each set in weight (none of the first 4 sets are to failure, i may only achieve a shallow burn/pump) until my final set, which will be my working weight -- the heaviest weight I can lift for 4 reps to the point of functional failure. This means I go completely balls to the wall until I cannot complete another rep in good form. I do this each week until I can squeeze out about 10 reps with that working weight, at which point the next week I can increase that working weight by about another 25lb plate on each side =)
** This exercise is done with exactly the same method above except it is done with moderate reps for a different stimulation.
The rest of the exercises are done to achieve muscle failure on the last rep of each set, and obviously once those sets are becoming like 12-15 reps, then I know it is time to increase the weight for them as well.
This method works very well because it is based on how your body responds and the actual strength spurts it gets, rather than trying to predict your strength from week to week. Also, most of the reps are in the moderate rep range, so that you do not have to sacrifice volume for an increase in load, and you can still increase your absolute strength at relatively the same rate.
******************************
And lastly.... cutting at 185lbs is a bad idea. I hate to break that to you, but you really would sacrifice a lot of your hard work in my opinion. If you reach 185lbs at around 12% bodyfat, at best you could hope to be lean at around 160lbs. That sucks, and that is just the bare mathematical portion of why it would suck.
Your progress is great man, and you are right on track. Keep on trucking!
~Brian
:/
well, I'll say it again, and in every one of your monthly reports - stop using a bodypart split, train important lifts more than once per week if you want to get good at them.. tbh, just doing something that you know is awesome, like in my link above, would be your best option. Even if you don't want to follow that routine, do check out the link as there is lots of valid general info on training etc.
*Edit* Scrap the original stuff I wrote in this post. I must be the most confused person ever for listening to the first best post. Rock_ten I have printed the program and am going to read it, can't guarantee I'll follow it.
Mången tack Brian, your points have been firmly noted but here's a thing to discuss: At what rate would YOU see it fit to start a cut? If you had the same goals as me that is.
Steve: I know you are, but what am I?
mr popular
Apr-29-07, 02:08 PM
Well let's say you make it to 200lbs at 14% bodyfat. After cutting you would be around 170lbs--which is a good weight for tricking, and martial arts depending on what weight class you want to be in.
The only thing about that is you might not be happy with the way you look, and would probably want to continue gaining some muscle--which would mean a cut has set you back considerably.
But yeah if I wanted to have some muscle, be relatively strong and light weight for tricking/martial arts, I would go to at least 200 before cutting bodyfat.
Well let's say you make it to 200lbs at 14% bodyfat. After cutting you would be around 170lbs--which is a good weight for tricking, and martial arts depending on what weight class you want to be in.
The only thing about that is you might not be happy with the way you look, and would probably want to continue gaining some muscle--which would mean a cut has set you back considerably.
But yeah if I wanted to have some muscle, be relatively strong and light weight for tricking/martial arts, I would go to at least 200 before cutting bodyfat.
Interesting that I'd have to buy an entirely new wardrobe. 200 is a high goal it's true. But tell you what, I am in no rush to become muss and big. I'll keep going to 185 and if I feel like there are no worries then I'll stick with it awhile longer. The fat masses are slowly gathering now though. Mind you 185lbs is still pretty far off (3 months at least) so I have plenty of time to think about it.
mr popular
Apr-29-07, 03:31 PM
I actually enjoy getting a little fatter haha
I mean I do not enjoy my sex life as much (not because it decreases performance, simply because I don't think I look as good), but I barely care about sex so it doesn't matter.
But I enjoy walking around feeling a little plump--even if it's only really noticable to me and those that know me very closely. To most people I just look like an average guy with slightly larger traps and forearms than most people. haha
I agree that you should keep at it until you hit 185, then see how you feel.
Nice weight gains, sorry to hear your training has not been going as well. For me April has been the opposite. My strength has continued to go up, but I've been losing a lot of weight because my meal plan ran out and I'm outta cash. How's that for awesome? I look forward to seeing your future reports because they're so comprehensive. I'm also considering taking some pictures after my finals end so I can track my progress through the summer.
Pale Nimbus
Apr-29-07, 07:27 PM
Awesome report Rahf, the one thing I would recommend (and others have recommended this already) is to really try to avoid having to use knee braces. They tend to hurt you in the long run, especially for people like us that consider tricking our primary activity.
Also, I see in workout schedule that you frequent a dojo? What MA are you learning?
rock_ten
Apr-30-07, 12:09 AM
Well let's say you make it to 200lbs at 14% bodyfat. After cutting you would be around 170lbs
dude, if he lost only fat then that would make him just over 1% bodyfat, haha. How much muscle are you expecting him to lose during the cut?!?
Rahf - I know its exciting to plan goals and shit, but really all you can do is take each day as it comes. When you're fatter than you want to be, cut quickly until you are lean enough. Maybe you'll have to do that before 185lbs, or maybe you can wait until you're much heavier. Just go by the mirror.
Awesome report Rahf, the one thing I would recommend (and others have recommended this already) is to really try to avoid having to use knee braces. They tend to hurt you in the long run, especially for people like us that consider tricking our primary activity.
Also, I see in workout schedule that you frequent a dojo? What MA are you learning?
The dojo sessions are basically pure tricking and tricking conditioning. I used to do Ju-Jutsu but lost interest in it after a couple of years. I also go there to socialize and just forget about life for awhile, it is a haven for me.
*Edit* Oh and Brian, the fatter one gets, the more time needs to be spent losing that fat. If we do a small calculation we also see that the muscle loss should be bigger in that case. I'll say as long as my strength does not decrease during the cut, I'm fine with it. It's not a BB cut we're talking about.
Pale Nimbus
Apr-30-07, 03:43 AM
The dojo sessions are basically pure tricking and tricking conditioning. I used to do Ju-Jutsu but lost interest in it after a couple of years. I also go there to socialize and just forget about life for awhile, it is a haven for me.
Ah, I see, that sounds awesome. Keep up the good work Rahf, these monthly reports are always good reads for us, and I'm sure they provide tons of motivation for you to make gains :good: I may have to "borrow" your monthly report idea for when I begin a serious strength training program in the summer :wicked:
mr popular
Apr-30-07, 11:13 AM
rock_ten: muscle is always lost during a cut (unless you are actually taking anabolic steroids)
Rahf: Well actually it would take around the same time to lose the fat when gaining a consistent 5lbs every 4 weeks, because you are gaining a pretty even 1:1 ratio of muscle to fat. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn even at rest, so things tend to balance out in that respect within a certain range. So you don't have to worry about that.
Muscle loss during a cut depends on a lot of factors, so one cannot really say for sure how much muscle you will lose and at what development. In my opinion, the most important keys to a successful cut are keeping both your protein intake, and your strength very high. Beyond that it is nutrition, training, recovery, and genetics.
And I understand that you aren't looking to get down to 4% bodyfat and slather yourself with BBQ sauce--because neither am I. You will have to reach whatever level of development you'll be at around 185lbs, and then decide whether or not it is truly worth it.
Pale_Nimbus: Why not begin seriously strength training right now?
rock_ten
Apr-30-07, 11:39 AM
rock_ten: muscle is always lost during a cut (unless you are actually taking anabolic steroids)
great, that doesn't change your estimates being shit. If he cut to an awesome 8% he'd have to lose 15lbs of muscle during that 200lbs@14%--->170lbs@8%
No big deal, just pointing out that cutting down to 170 from 200lbs at 14% is ridiculous.
---
I think the fear of muscle loss during cutting is SO overblown. Certainly for anyone at our level.
I'm trying to add a link to a discussion of it but my internet is so horrendously shit. AOL fraudband :/ I'll put it up later
mr popular
Apr-30-07, 12:19 PM
rock_ten: well then let me just thank you whole heartedly for pointing out minor discrepencies in a vague mathematical example. We'd be lost without you, oh Foundant of Knowledge.
For some people a fear of losing muscle during a cut is overexaggerated, but that isn't the point here. The point is people being so overly eager to cut to see the muscle they've gained that they tend to sacrifice actually building muscle to have underneath the jiggle.
Rahf is actually putting in the hard work, so I don't think anyone is worried about him.
Pale Nimbus
Apr-30-07, 01:06 PM
Pale_Nimbus: Why not begin seriously strength training right now?
Believe me, I would if it was my choice, but here at my university gym, I am not allowed to use free weights without a training partner. That means no squats, DL's, or anything worthwhile. I would be restricted to using machines. Also, I have no training friends, so I can't just get a partner.
Also, during the school year, my university capoeira club is usually asked to do several shows a month. I personally don't think I could weight train and still be fresh for doing shows every few weeks. On top of other school commitments, I would probably do more harm than good :ogre:
mr popular
Apr-30-07, 07:29 PM
So just use the machines? What is the problem?
Tatsumaru
May-01-07, 01:32 AM
Welp, keep it up man! : ) :good:
:music: I LET MY FOCUS SHIIIIIFT! :music:
Believe me, I would if it was my choice, but here at my university gym, I am not allowed to use free weights without a training partner. That means no squats, DL's, or anything worthwhile. I would be restricted to using machines. Also, I have no training friends, so I can't just get a partner.
Also, during the school year, my university capoeira club is usually asked to do several shows a month. I personally don't think I could weight train and still be fresh for doing shows every few weeks. On top of other school commitments, I would probably do more harm than good :ogre:
Periodization my friend, put a poster up that you're looking for a serious training partner and plan your weeks so during Capoeira show weeks, you rest. Everything can be sorted once you put your mind to it, believe me on that one.
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1127149
interesting article regarding knee problems.
I haven't fully read it yet and don't agree with parts in there, but I'm posting it anyway.
Having the faculties to train is as simple as wanting to train, there is always a way
Pale Nimbus
May-01-07, 12:57 PM
Having the faculties to train is as simple as wanting to train, there is always a way
If it truly is that simple, then I admit I must not want to strength train.
I sleep less than 4 hrs/night, I think strenuous strength training would kill me during the school semester. Lack of friends/training equipment is only part of what keeps me from properly strength training, I should have mentioned that earlier. Even if I had a serious training partner and all the equipment I wanted, the amount of work I choose to do here at uni would probably take precedence.
If it truly is that simple, then I admit I must not want to strength train.
I sleep less than 4 hrs/night, I think strenuous strength training would kill me during the school semester. Lack of friends/training equipment is only part of what keeps me from properly strength training, I should have mentioned that earlier. Even if I had a serious training partner and all the equipment I wanted, the amount of work I choose to do here at uni would probably take precedence.
It's in the priorities. You decide what you want to focus on and let nobody tell you otherwise. All we're doing is giving advice as to how you could go about solving that trifling matter of having no equipment, partner or time. And 4 hours a night sounds horrible, what DO you do during the days?
I'm sure you'll find your way eventually.
If it truly is that simple, then I admit I must not want to strength train.
I sleep less than 4 hrs/night, I think strenuous strength training would kill me during the school semester. Lack of friends/training equipment is only part of what keeps me from properly strength training, I should have mentioned that earlier. Even if I had a serious training partner and all the equipment I wanted, the amount of work I choose to do here at uni would probably take precedence.
Well, you could still do sets of pushups to failure, hundreds of situps/crunches, jump squats, bicep curls with a chair, etc.
I mean if you superset things you can get a decent workout in under 30 minutes, which is probably about as much time (maybe less) as you spend on the internet doing leisure stuff. Not having friends around is a girlyman excuse. Hell, some of us don't even have friends to begin with.
mr popular
May-01-07, 06:57 PM
I either blow off my friends to workout, or (more likely) my friends work out with me because I have personally taught them how to do so. haha
Pale Nimbus
May-01-07, 08:59 PM
You are right Rahf, it is in the priorities. I'm taking 20 hours of classes this semester, with English literature and Intermediate Japanese Conversation being the two biggest time consumers. Polishing my writing style and improving my Japanese speech are my top "life priorities" right now.
In terms of strength training, overall it has been virtually non-existent. However, my endurance has been vastly improved (due to roda play), and my flexibility has skyrocketed, but I am expecting my strength to have digressed when I return home(in terms of 1RM in A2GSQ, DL, BP, etc.)
Also, I currently do incorporate alot of simple bodyweight exercises into my twice-a-week capoeira workouts, such as pushups, pistols, etc., but these do little for improving my maximal strength. I usually lead small groups of beginnners, who are new to exercise/martial arts, through simple routines of pushups, v-sits, squat jumps, etc. They become extra motivated to out-do me, I get in a good workout to end capoeira practice, everyone wins.
I admit my "excuses" seem girly, but I prefer my schedule the way it is now and would never whine or bitch about it, because it could definitely be alot worse (in fact, it will be worse in my upcoming semesters).
As long as you're doing what you want to be doing. You shouldn't force strength training in there just because someone says it is good for you. Your goals with strength training also have an effect on how much energy you're going to spend on it.
Keep it up and don't forget: As long as you're having fun, nothing else matters.
You are right Rahf, it is in the priorities. I'm taking 20 hours of classes this semester, with English literature and Intermediate Japanese Conversation being the two biggest time consumers. Polishing my writing style and improving my Japanese speech are my top "life priorities" right now.
In terms of strength training, overall it has been virtually non-existent. However, my endurance has been vastly improved (due to roda play), and my flexibility has skyrocketed, but I am expecting my strength to have digressed when I return home(in terms of 1RM in A2GSQ, DL, BP, etc.)
Also, I currently do incorporate alot of simple bodyweight exercises into my twice-a-week capoeira workouts, such as pushups, pistols, etc., but these do little for improving my maximal strength. I usually lead small groups of beginnners, who are new to exercise/martial arts, through simple routines of pushups, v-sits, squat jumps, etc. They become extra motivated to out-do me, I get in a good workout to end capoeira practice, everyone wins.
I admit my "excuses" seem girly, but I prefer my schedule the way it is now and would never whine or bitch about it, because it could definitely be alot worse (in fact, it will be worse in my upcoming semesters).
c'mon.
I'm studying chinese language(mandarin)+chinese history and history -> sinology and history. So my main subject isn't that different from yours.
I also lift weights 3 times a week and go boxing 3-4 times a week.
I just had to cut the time I waste in front of the computer.
Don't take it personally, but if you would have fun lifting, you would do it.
Pale Nimbus
May-02-07, 12:22 PM
c'mon.
I'm studying chinese language(mandarin)+chinese history and history -> sinology and history. So my main subject isn't that different from yours.
I also lift weights 3 times a week and go boxing 3-4 times a week.
I just had to cut the time I waste in front of the computer.
Don't take it personally, but if you would have fun lifting, you would do it.
I'm admittedly not a very smart man, so while I'm sure you can handle all that stuff, it is pretty difficult for me to understand even basic concepts in literary analysis and Japanese grammar :ouch:
And I do have fun lifting, but there literally is no way I could fit it into my schedule without dying. It simply isn't a high priority for me right now, but in the summer, when I have less obligations (my only obligation will be to find a job, which may be at a gym), I can easily lift to my heart's content.
mr popular
May-02-07, 01:54 PM
Brian can already tell that the problem is likely nutritional. haha
I'm admittedly not a very smart man, so while I'm sure you can handle all that stuff, it is pretty difficult for me to understand even basic concepts in literary analysis and Japanese grammar :ouch:
And I do have fun lifting, but there literally is no way I could fit it into my schedule without dying. It simply isn't a high priority for me right now, but in the summer, when I have less obligations (my only obligation will be to find a job, which may be at a gym), I can easily lift to my heart's content.
And you have time to make 200 well-thought-out posts on TT...
btw, I like you as a poster, I just don't think that you are giving yourself enough credit.
mr popular
May-02-07, 02:21 PM
Haha Pale Nimbus is no longer allowed to post his opinion on training and weightlifting until he crawls his way into a fucking gym.
compleks
May-02-07, 05:47 PM
Bottom line, if you really wanted to lift - you would find a way.
Also, it was only a matter of time before Brian starting referring to himself in third person.
anfeyd
May-02-07, 05:50 PM
Bottom line, if you really wanted to lift - you would find a way.
Also, it was only a matter of time before Brian starting referring to himself in third person.
Hahaha.
mr popular
May-03-07, 09:14 AM
Brian also found that comment humorous.
vBulletin® v3.8.4, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.