I've decided to post up a journal, i think it will give me more motivation for my training knowing that i will be posting up my progress for all to see!

I started training around 15 years ago, i don't class myself as a bodybuilder and have never used steroids, just someone thats into physical training. It was around 1994 when i started what i would call a bodybuilding routine and in 2 years i put on around 3 stone, going from just over 10stone to just over 13stone! Over the years my weight training has stopped and started, i've practiced various martial arts and boxing as well but i always go back to the weights as thats what i enjoy the most!

The last year or so i have not really done any training worth speaking about mainly due to personal reasons. The last 3 weeks or so i have been training on and off but now i've decided it's time to knuckle down again!

My main goal is to increase my strength, im not really bothered whether i gain any size at the moment.

I had'nt done deadlifts for years, but started them the last few weeks and managed a 1 rep max with 200kg, that was raw with no belt or chalk! My bench is a bit lacking, have done 115kg for 1 rep max! Barbell curls i managed about 50kg for 6-8 reps!

Im 5ft 9" and my current weight is around 85kg, with my fair share of flab on my belly!

Good luck mate. Strength training is the way forward

This is my signature.

This 1st picture is the earliest i could find and was taken Jan 1992, although i had already been training for about a year before this: This one was taken early 1993


These next 2 were around 3-4 years ago:

This 4th picture was taken early this year:


This one was taken around 4 months ago:

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Nice weight loss mate, you have some good mass there and a 200kg 1rm on deads is excellent.

Good luck with the training/journal.

EE#9

Cheers! I was pleased with the 200k deadlift, but i had aimed to do it that evening and did no other training other than a few warm up deadlifts, so i was fresh for the lift which made it easier really! Im looking forward to cracking on with some proper training now though!

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Started training again this week! I always take a week or so to get back into the swing of things when i've been off for a bit, so im just easing myself back into it and getting the muscles working again.

Unfortunately i was out on the town last night and did'nt go to bed till around 4:30 this morning, so not the best of starts, my own fault i know!
I did still manage to get up this morning and get a good half hour on my exercise bike though.

Tonight i worked chest:

Flat Bench Press

6 reps with 105kg
3 reps with 110kg (did a further 2 half reps after the 3)
1 rep with 115kg

Was pleased with tonight and look forward to the rest of the weeks training!

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Did 30 minutes on my exercise bike this morning.

This evening i worked my back.

Deadlifts

Warm ups with 60kg then 100kg

5 reps with 180kg

...then just managed 2 or 3 singles after that.

Wide Grip Chins

1 set of 10 reps
2 sets of 8 reps
1 set of 6 reps
1 set of 5 reps

Was'nt very pleased with tonights workout! I've eaten too much today too close to training, felt bloated. But im glad that im at least getting my @ss back in the gym each day, thats really what this week is about for me, getting back in a routine.

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Did 30 minutes on my exercise bike this morning.

This evening i worked my triceps.

Close Grip Bench Press

10 reps with 60kg (warmup)
8 reps with 90kg
2 reps with 100kg
5 reps with 95kg
3 reps with 97.5kg


Lying Tricep Extensions (EZ bar)

9 reps with 48kg
5 reps with 53kg (last rep was a partial rep)
3 reps with 53kg
4 reps with 48kg


I felt better with todays workout. I had spread out my meals much better today. I was a bit optimistic with some of the weights tonight and did'nt quite get as many reps as i'd wanted.

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Did 30 minutes on my exercise bike this morning.

This evening i worked my biceps.

Barbell Curls (EZ bar)

7 reps with 53kg
5 reps with 55.5kg
4 reps with 55.5kg
4 reps with 55.5kg
2 reps with 58kg


Seated Alternate Dumbell Curls

7 reps with 24kg
5 reps with 24kg
4 reps with 24kg
4 reps with 24kg

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Did'nt do any cardio this morning.

Now, before this turns into the joke section of my journal im embarrassed to say that i have to confess to the ultimate of bodybuilding sins......not training legs!

Yes, in all my years of training i've never trained legs directly, other than once in a blue moon. My excuse used to be that i did a lot of running and was boxing for a short time, therefore having sore legs from weight training was not what i wanted when im trying to go running in the mornings. Although looking back i should of just got on with it and trained my legs, then they would have become used to it the same as any other muscle. But i did'nt and at the end of the day i can't change the past so it's pointless dwelling on it, now it's time to get on with it and train legs!

So, this evening i worked my legs.

Squats

10 reps with 60kg (warmup)
6 reps with 100kg
3 reps with 105kg
3 reps with 105kg
1 rep with 110kg


Tonight i felt like a beginner getting used to a new exercise!

I went below parallel on all reps.

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Thats a good look you had there.

Good luck with the new regime.

27 | 6ft | 90kg
Bench: 80kg | Deads: 140kg | Squats 100kg
Journal: Jan 2008 - May 2008

Cheers for the comment there Joe!

Was pleased with last week, but one week is nothing if i don't stick with it! Although i know that i'm back on track now so i'm looking forward to some progress.

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Aye,you'll grow to love the humble squat.
And it's not too bad running with doms in the legs.It eases of after 5-10 mins.
come to think of it,i'm off out running tommorrow....with stiff legs

Yeah, i did enjoy doing squats last week, probably the feeling of doing a new exercise that is very beneficial.

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Did 30 minutes on my exercise bike this morning.

This evening i worked my chest.

Flat Bench Press

20 press ups (warmup)
20 reps with 60kg (warmup)
4 reps with 110kg
2 reps with 115kg (did a further 2 half reps after the 2)
Failed attempt with 120kg
1 rep with 110kg
2 reps with 100kg


Flat Dumbell Bench Press

5 reps with 37.5kg
5 reps with 37.5kg
2 reps with 44kg
3 reps with 44kg
3 reps with 37.5kg


Was fairly pleased with tonights workout although slightly disappointed i did'nt get the 120kg attempt but i recon i should get it within the next 2 weeks! This is only my 2nd week of being back into regular training, so it's not too bad i suppose.

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

These are my stats, measured on 25th November 2006


All measurements are cold and natural.


Age: 31
Weight: 13 and a half stone
Neck: 16.5"
Chest: 44.5" (relaxed)
Chest: 46" (expanded)
Bicep: 16.25"
Forearm: 12.5"
Waist: 37"
Quad: 23"
Calf: 15"


Not sure what my bodyfat is, but currently im looking pretty much like the 5th picture in my journal, but with a little more fat! Im not too bothered about a little extra fat at the moment. Currently im training to increase my strength and will go on a cut closer to the summer.

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Good, natural progress there mate. Well done.

MT all-round Member of the Year 2006 and 2007

Now at Undergroundmuscle.co.uk

Cheers for the comment rightyho!

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##

Weights look pretty good, and thats a fairly impressive set of squats for a first time exercise
Good luck mate

  
You only bench, squat and clean!!

yeah it's true, check my journal

Cheers! It was'nt easy but i did'nt want to do less than 100kg! I just sounds better than 90 something! Typical male ego!

PB's (88kg-natural)
Squat - 135kg
Bench - 125kg x 2
Deadlift - 230kg

My Journal... ##Getting back into it! ##