The Return of the jedi-This is not Sparta. This. Is. Madness.(now incl. Race to 100kg OHP)

ORIGINAL: I Am A Myth
Are you training for strength or size mate?
Are you looking to up all your working sets up to 8 reps or just keep them to 5 for your chest?

An interesting question from Mr. A. Myth.

I usually seem to have a mix of higher and lower reps in my workout.
At present the 8/5/5 on 100/110/100 represents my absolute best, blood vessel bursting, effort. As soon as I can make 7 or 8 reps on the third set, I'll up the weight and do 100/110/110, at which point the reps will drop again at first but then work back up to decent reps ..at which point I would start the cycle again at 100/120/100.

I seem to have to work pretty hard to eke out fairly small gains but I don't mind, I really enjoy the challenge of this kind of training and I do seem to be adding some size.

Pretty bog standard back and bi's session.
Couldn't do weighted chins as the gym's weight belt has "gone missing".
More reps than usual on back exercises which was good. Only up to 45kg for oly curls but done elbows clamped. Also did some close grip and dumbbells and finished with rope curls which I had forgotten but will definitely be doing from now on.

Also, I can reveal the world exclusive news;
Jedi has been secretly training abs for the last couple of weeks.

Shoulders tonight.
Warmed up with isolation exercises; front and lat. raises etc. Also added in the new flavour of the month exercise which is seated rear delt rows. Have to say they are flavour of the month for a reason, lets you get in a very good position and can really concentrate on isolating the rear delts. I like 'em.

Bench.
120kg loaded and once again, up it went
...discountng a popular theory in the gym that there must've been a gust of wind or gravitational abnormality last week
Waited a minute and then tried it again.
Ah Ooh Kin L No Sah


Slunk away to far corner to do shoulder pressing.

Legs tonight and (given that I don't seem to be running at the minute) decided to up the stakes a bit.
Massive pyramid on the leg press to start, commencing with 20reps on 150kg and peaking at 6 reps on 310kg
...which had me adding some freestyle vocalisations.
More reps than usual on the hack squat which was surprising but then suffered on leg extensions.
Ham curls and seated calf raises to finish.

Strange thing is, my legs don't feel too bad considering the workload.
Can't put this down to the glutamine as I've had to stop taking it as it was giving me chronic wind * >>>>>>
...that's the third product I've had from MP which has done this and I won't be risking anything else.
It could be co-incidence but I have no desire to try and prove that theory.

ORIGINAL: jedi

Ah Ooh Kin L No Sah

lol better luck next time.
so, do you think MP add special "fart powder" to their products?

Chest and tri's.

Still on 100/110/100 as worksets for flat bench, this week for 8/5/6 so creeping forward.
Getting very comfortable with 90kg on the steep incline and also managed more reps on the 90lb dumbbells, shallow incline.
Plenty of dips and had to add weights to the stack for pressdowns, skulls/closegrip and rope to finish.

My old training partner was in and haven't seen him for a month.
He was shocked at how different I looked

Secretly, I knew this was partly due to me wearing a t-shirt that shrank in the drier last week

Woke up this morning with a cold/lurgy so no cardio today ...again

Can't make up my mind whether I caught it at the gym or on here.

so, do you think the rosehip has done you any good?
I love it.
I recommend HealthyDirect for quality, value and great service*




















*cackles gleefully, and accepts yet another backhander from HD

Hi mate, some impressive weights being used.

Glad your doing well mate.

ORIGINAL: daKensta
so, do you think the rosehip has done you any good?

I was thinking about that yesterday.
I ran out last week and thought I hadn't really noticed a massive benefit and wouldn't really bother getting any more. However, this week I have noticed some of the old twinges I'd forgotten about seem to be returning, noticeably in my lower back and shoulder. So it could be that it was working a bit better than I'd given it credit for and, not wanting to ruin your career as an HD rep, I'll probably order some more.

Overall, I'd rate it as better than glucosamine
...but the best improvement in my knees definitely came with the purchase of open supports.

ORIGINAL: chrismac

Hi mate, some impressive weights being used.

Cheers mate.
However, it's what happens from now on that will really get things going.
I'm going to try weighted chins as soon as the belt turns up again and I'd like to get past 120kg for bench before Xmas.
I personally think my efforts on legs are the most impressive but I get no respeck coz I don't do de squat.

This cold is a weird one.
One minute I feel as though I'm fine, the next I feel as though death would be a blessing.
No sneezing and snuffling just a sore throat and a ride on the feeling good/ feeling grim rollercoaster.

Think I'll risk training tonight

Glad I went but certainly wasn't in record breaking mood.
Some good chins, close-grip pulldowns and low-pulley rows.
Then 45kg oly bar curls and some alternates on the 50lb dumbbells amongst other things.

Tried hitting the heavy bag but quickly surrendered.

The lurgy came back with renewed vigour after Thursday's session and have been a complete basket case over the weekend. Was still feeling grim yesterday including this weird lower back pain which seems to be part of the virus.
Woke up feeling a lot better this morning so might risk a session on the bench tonight.

i wouldnt push things if your ill mate.

just take it easy, which im sure you will.

get well soon

ORIGINAL: I Am A Myth
get well soon

Thanks mate.

I definitely felt a bit better so went in for some bench and triceps.
Managed 8 at 100kg = not too bad but it was all downhill from there. Needed a spot on 110 and could only manage 5 on my own back at 100. Incline was down and so were the dumbbells.
To be expected I suppose.

Don't feel any massive ill effects so far.

Legs tonight and continued with the theme of being weak as a kitten.
Didn't really push it too much just getting myself in a position to be back on track next week.

Well at least I'm consistent.
The weakness continues into back and bi's. First set of chins was okay but downhill from then on. Deliberately kept the weights back one notch and went for more reps. Was training with old training partner and we pushed each other on a bit especially on bi's which became a bit of a rep fest. Massive pump and despite not being able to do any cardio looking reasonably lean. Must be burning some fat to clear the virus

There was also a debate/intellectual discussion about whether certain '20' plates are heavier than others. I decided to settle matters once and for all by paying 20p a time to weigh the various varieties on the platform scale. Turns out the intuitions were about right.

YORK = 19.5kg
WEIDER(blue) =20kg
ULTRA = 20.25kg
WEIDER(black) = 20.5kg

This doesn't quite tell the whole story as some of the Ultras feel as heavy as the black Weiders. All in all, as it is nigh on impossible to get a matching foursome on the bar at any one time it probably evens itself out. I have resolved to avoid the Yorks from now on though just to be on the safe side.
Course the ten minutes spent in this scintillating scientific experiment would probably have been better employed in doing my ab workout which I seem to have, errr ....neglected

Hi mate hows tricks?

Interesting fact about the 20's!!!

They should all be the same its not a difficult thing to do!

Hi Chris

Not had a great week getting over this cold/lurgy but on the other hand, at least I have been training, others have had it a lot worse. I do generally feel as though I am approaching a mini-plateau though and will be looking at changing up a few things about the training starting from next week. Maybe some new exercises or maybe just add in a new "go for it" approach.

Was interesting about the 20's.
Can't help thinking that if some of the older ones were clean they might've been a lot closer to 20kg.
No excuse for the Y*rks though as they are the newest. A suspicious mind might think of some kind of deliberate mistake
"I like these weights they go up nice and easy. Think I'll buy some more"
..kind of thing.