Todd's Pictures.

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by Todd

Many times I will only do 2 sets for an exercise and move on.

The law of diminishing returns. Each set gives you a little less benefit than the last.

[westside24]

Thanx homie! Thats exactly what Ive wanted to hear, and I probably heard it before, but sometimes I get side tracked. Your a gentlemen and a scholar. thank you for your time.

Peace!

Weston

[Todd]

Originally Posted by LiftGirl

The law of diminishing returns. Each set gives you a little less benefit than the last.

I like to think each set I do compounds the results overall...but there is a fine line in knowing how much is enough to stimulate new growth...and how much is too much where you keep beating a dead horse and is redundant. That's where knowing your body, and intensity level is important.

If your intensity level is high, you can generate new growth with just one or two all out sets...and after that, there is no need to keep pounding away at it...you won't get anymore new growth...once it's been stimulated, it's stimulated...lol.

But, if your intensity level is not up to par with being able to stimulate new growth from a set, then yes, multiple sets are required to eventually get growth stimulated.

I prefer the first route...get in, and get it done, and get out...no F'ing around.

Originally Posted by westside24

Thanx homie! Thats exactly what Ive wanted to hear, and I probably heard it before, but sometimes I get side tracked. Your a gentlemen and a scholar. thank you for your time.

Peace!

Weston

No problem...glad I could be of some help!

[westside24]

Originally Posted by Todd

If your intensity level is high, you can generate new growth with just one or two all out sets...and after that, there is no need to keep pounding away at it...you won't get anymore new growth...once it's been stimulated, it's stimulated...lol.

So then I wonder why people like Ronnie and Jay just for an example do 3 sets of everything.... They definately have enough intensity to get it done in one set, considering all the crap they are prolly on...

[Todd]

Originally Posted by westside24

So then I wonder why people like Ronnie and Jay just for an example do 3 sets of everything.... They definately have enough intensity to get it done in one set, considering all the crap they are prolly on...

Don't know, we would have to ask them why they do the number of sets they do. Me personally...some days, I feel like I should do, or could do an extra set. Whereas other days, I KNOW that the two sets I just did for that exercise were good enough and growth was stimulated. Other times, I will have extra energy left in the tank...sometimes I will go with it and do an extra set..while other times I will say to myself...stop, you've done enough already.

I guess it all depends on your state of mind, how you're feeling...whether or not you accomplished enough in your first couple of sets, etc..

Like why do people do 5 sets per exercise? Is it just because they are following a protocal that says to? Are they really gaining more from doing 5 compared to someone who does only 3 or 2? What's their intensity like for those 5 sets? Are they gradually working up in intensity with each successive set...or are they going 100% all out right from set #1 and on?

All of this (and a lot more) plays a big role on how many sets are really necessary for growth.

[westside24]

sweet.. makes sense. common sense really based off everything ive read from various sources. I just didnt think about it.

Dude I could ask you a million questions but I wont. haha Thanx homie

[Todd]

Originally Posted by westside24

sweet.. makes sense. common sense really based off everything ive read from various sources. I just didnt think about it.

Dude I could ask you a million questions but I wont. haha Thanx homie

Hey, no prob! You're welcome!

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by Todd

All of this (and a lot more) plays a big role on how many sets are really necessary for growth.

How strongly do you believe personal preference plays into this? I think it is a lot. Kinda like with cardio, some people prefer LSD, while others want to do HIIT and get the heck out.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by LiftGirl

How strongly do you believe personal preference plays into this? I think it is a lot. Kinda like with cardio, some people prefer LSD, while others want to do HIIT and get the heck out.

Yep, I do agree...personal preference does play a role. Some people have a bug up their butt that tells them that they must beat the muscle group into submission before they can leave the gym each time. A lot of it is psychological. They have the "more is better" slogan running through their heads...which really is not the case when it comes to fitness or bodybuilding. Knowing how much is enough...and how much is not enough is the key...and that fine line will vary greatly among each person. This is where listening and knowing your body comes into play big time...very important.

This is also why trying various things and making note of what works best for you is so important as you go along in your fitness quest. Discarding what doesn't work as well, while keeping in mind what does work is the only way to get fast track results and become familiar with how your body reacts to certain stimulus.

There are certain things that I believe accomplish the same thing but in shorter time..making one method more efficient than another method. Just like HIIT cardio...I believe you can get the same (or in most cases BETTER) results by doing shorter duration interval cardio where you vary the intensity level compared to doing longer duration low-moderate intensity cardio sessions.

But again, it comes down to personal preference maybe. Some people would rather casually stroll along on a treadmill while reading their favorite magazine or book for 1 hour straight. They may do this because they simply don't want to put out a great deal of effort for their cardio...or simply because they don't have the desire to make a big dent in their fat loss...they could be doing it just to relieve stress or for simple general health.

However, for those who are seeking fat loss as their goal, but are simply too lazy to do HIIT or THINK that the 1 hour is doing them better than going for only 15-20 mins...they should think again! They'll claim they burned a total of say 400 calories perhaps in that 1 hour. What they don't realize is that after they finished their "stroll", their calorie burning stops and their metabolism has not been spiked or changed whatsoever.

Whereas in HIIT cardio, one may go for 15-20 minutes for example and burn only 150 calories in total. BUT, the benefits come into play in the several hours after they've finished their session. Their body will continue to burn calories all day long..because their metabolism has been drastically spiked...therefore getting more fat loss results both short term and long term..because they've positively changed their metabolism for the better.

The above is just one example of how there are different approaches to different things...some being more efficient and effective in reaching the same end point...yet some people get caught up in the "more is better" train of thought..or they do what they've heard to be productive by others (the blind leading the blind).

-Todd

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by Todd

There are certain things that I believe accomplish the same thing but in shorter time..making one method more efficient than another method. Just like HIIT cardio...I believe you can get the same (or in most cases BETTER) results by doing shorter duration interval cardio where you vary the intensity level compared to doing longer duration low-moderate intensity cardio sessions.

But again, it comes down to personal preference maybe. Some people would rather casually stroll along on a treadmill while reading their favorite magazine or book for 1 hour straight. They may do this because they simply don't want to put out a great deal of effort for their cardio...or simply because they don't have the desire to make a big dent in their fat loss...they could be doing it just to relieve stress or for simple general health.

However, for those who are seeking fat loss as their goal, but are simply too lazy to do HIIT or THINK that the 1 hour is doing them better than going for only 15-20 mins...they should think again! They'll claim they burned a total of say 400 calories perhaps in that 1 hour. What they don't realize is that after they finished their "stroll", their calorie burning stops and their metabolism has not been spiked or changed whatsoever.

Whereas in HIIT cardio, one may go for 15-20 minutes for example and burn only 150 calories in total. BUT, the benefits come into play in the several hours after they've finished their session. Their body will continue to burn calories all day long..because their metabolism has been drastically spiked...therefore getting more fat loss results both short term and long term..because they've positively changed their metabolism for the better.

The above is just one example of how there are different approaches to different things...some being more efficient and effective in reaching the same end point...yet some people get caught up in the "more is better" train of thought..or they do what they've heard to be productive by others (the blind leading the blind).

-Todd

I agree with what you're saying. But with regards to cardio, I like a mix of both ways. What I have been doing lately is 20 minutes of intervals 3x/week and then 1-3 days/week of 45 minute steady state sessions, less intense than the intervals but intense enough that I'm tired at the end to work a bit on endurance. I feel like I have more energy throughout the day since I started mixing it up like this. But interval training is great for fat loss and jacking up the metabolism!

I also think that HIIT should not be done more than 3x/week. So if someone wants to do cardio more often, IMO, they should throw some steady state in there.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by LiftGirl

I agree with what you're saying. But with regards to cardio, I like a mix of both ways. What I have been doing lately is 20 minutes of intervals 3x/week and then 1-3 days/week of 45 minute steady state sessions, less intense than the intervals but intense enough that I'm tired at the end to work a bit on endurance. I feel like I have more energy throughout the day since I started mixing it up like this. But interval training is great for fat loss and jacking up the metabolism!

I also think that HIIT should not be done more than 3x/week. So if someone wants to do cardio more often, IMO, they should throw some steady state in there.

Yah, nothing wrong with throwing in some steady state cardio...when it comes to fitness, there is no textbook.

[Todd]

Hey everyone,

I thought I would update with some progress pictures as of lately. This is me as of this past weekend @ 187 pounds approximately.

Any critiques, comments, etc are always welcome!

Thanks,

Todd

[Vas85]

Originally Posted by Todd

Hey everyone,

I thought I would update with some progress pictures as of lately. This is me as of this past weekend @ 187 pounds approximately.

Any critiques, comments, etc are always welcome!

Thanks,

Todd

Hey Todd,

Results at the moment are fantastic... you look great. I am making myself find a critique because your body is seriously looking in tip top shape, excellent size everywhere especially the delts / arms / quads.

All i'd probably say with your physique needs a bit more fulness is the lats and calves but then again they are at a very respectable size eitherway, this is just trying to purposely find something to critique on.

Keep up the amazing work, and i'll probably put on a few updates of my own with my slow cutting process.

As always Todd an inspiration to myself and other naturals out there! Look like a Huge Mean Machine buddy!

You've inspired me to put up some progress pics myself, which i'll try do today.

[Todd]

Thank you Vas for your critique and comments...I definitely appreciate it! I also agree with you...my calves and lats could use some more size to evenly match the rest of my body...and I am going to continue to try and bring up those weak points. Those are going to be my main focus from here on out.

I am going to have a look at your progress pics now to see if you've posted up some new ones!

Thanks again!!

-Todd

[LiftGirl]

Lookin' beastly Todd!