Day 1 of MaxOT in the books..my review

[kronik]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

Wait until you try a MAX OT workout with 2 muscle groups. You will see how hard it is to get a workout done within 40 minutes.

Agree, especially on Shoulder/Chest/Trciep day!

All the faffing about, changing weights etc means its a lot harder to have everything done in 40 minutes.

[genEus]

I know what they say about "stick to Max-OT to the T" but yes, for those of us who do cardio 2-3 times a week and can't/don't want to lift weights every single day, it is impossible to follow Max OT to the T with no modifications. Unless you devote two separate gym sessions, one for cardio in the morning and one for weightlifting at night every day, which for most people is unfeasible.

But, I disregarded the 2-3 minute breaks between warm-ups. What's the point? The point for the breaks is for your muscles to fully recover after a 4-6 rep heavy set so that you can do another one. When you're warming up, that's exactly what you're supposed to do - warm up. That is, obviously you won't be as tired after a warm-up set as after a muscle building set, so your muscles have no need for that 2 minute break whatsoever - I usually add about 30 seconds rest to the time it takes me to add more weight to the bar. I think this makes sense.

[Firehawk]

You can be warmed up after a 2 minute rest period between the warmup sets. I think they jsut want you to make sure you are FULLY recovered and ready to go for the heavy sets.

Does anyone else almost feel like they arent workin hard enough? I swear, because i came from a fast paced, very draining body for life style workout, this seems soo easy to me. Of course again, tomorow is deadlift time so I may be singing another tune after that but still, i jsut wanna make sure im expending close to the same amount of calories i was doing with BFL.

[grambo]

if you're finding the sets too easy, then up the weight. If you lift heavy, I think you'l be glad there's a 2 minute rest, I know Iam. Its about getting the most out of each set in terms of intensity, if you rest properly, then that always happens.

[genEus]

I agree with grambo. And, besides, BFL was based on a different principle - I don't believe it was designed for maximum muscle hypertrophy. I think somewhere in Max-OT principles it was said that you won't leave the gym exhausted, but by applying their principles you will grow big muscles. You may not have such a great aerobic workout as if you were lifting light and fast, but then that's not the point of Max-OT.
At least I hope what i just said is right, if not - please someone correct me.

[Firehawk]

whoa whoa whoa. Where did i say the sets were too easy?

What i meant was...im not getting sweaty from doing these sets, because they are short. I meant I am used to working 5 muscle groups on a pyramid style workout, BFL style, which is very fast paced, 1 minute rest, followed by 2 supersets (6 total sets per muscle group). I was taxedcompletely after these.

My main focus, again, is fat loss. I was tired of BFL and just couldnt wait to get started on MAX OT. I still want my MAIN goal to be fat loss, and thats why im concerned. I want to be sure im still gettting a great metabolic boost from MAX OT like i did for BFL on my weight training days. I need to be burning calories first and foremost. Its just that i enjoy MAX OT alot more already, it just seems soo much easier though because im not sweating and out of breath at all during these workouts.

Do you guys know what i mean or not?

My goal right now, primarily, is fat loss. I love to lift heavy and build muscle , in fact i dont think theres any other reason to lift weights other than to strive for more muscle, this is my opinion of it. MAX OT is right up my ally becasue I can lift heavy ass weights and get stronger and build muscle. But this is SECONDARY for me, for now. MY BF% is at around 33% now, so I want to continue lowering it until around 15-20% and then go all out balls to the walls muscle gain. My body adds muscle relatively easily so im lucky. But for now, im concerned that i am getting a good caloric workout with MAX OT.

[grambo]

I dont think max-ot is designed to do anything but build muscle. Build muscle on lifting days, and lose calories on cardio day. Keep it simple, eat right, and I dont see any problem with you losing weight.

[Cort]

Well, if you want to get sweaty, wear a sweatshirt and jog a mile before you lift (nothing intense, just gets you warmed up.)

I know when I'm lifting I sweat a lot, I can't help it when I'm putting up something that is REALLY heavy for me for 4-6 reps or more.

I'd say a whole LOT of getting that fat off is diet, as well as workout. At around your bf% I just ran 1-2 miles a day every day other than weekends, and also lifted Max OT with my bro in the gym. Cut down to between 10-12% in a few months. The fat literally fell off me when I turned my diet around and started lifting and running.

[Firehawk]

Originally Posted by Cort

Well, if you want to get sweaty, wear a sweatshirt and jog a mile before you lift (nothing intense, just gets you warmed up.)

I know when I'm lifting I sweat a lot, I can't help it when I'm putting up something that is REALLY heavy for me for 4-6 reps or more.

I'd say a whole LOT of getting that fat off is diet, as well as workout. At around your bf% I just ran 1-2 miles a day every day other than weekends, and also lifted Max OT with my bro in the gym. Cut down to between 10-12% in a few months. The fat literally fell off me when I turned my diet around and started lifting and running.

Spoken like a true lightweight lol. I dont mean this as an insult, but dude, im 320 lbs at 33% bodyfat. Some people just assume its simple to run a mile. Well, im not a runner, and nor will I ever be. I have zero interest in running. Theres no way Im gonna be running a mile or 2 before i weightlift. Even if i could, i still wouldnt. I do cardio on alternating days (non weight lifting days), 20 min HIIT cardio. If i start building muscle, thats awesome, ill take it for sure because eventually ill go all out for building muscle, but i just wnna make sure i continue to decrease my fat %.

I can run 1/4 mile and thats about it. Besides, im way too heavy to try anyways. I dont need my joints getting torn up to the point im always sore when im over 40. Im 25 now.

[kronik]

How tall are you Firehawk?

[Firehawk]

Im 6'3 kronik. 75 inches

[DaRkAnGel]

If you somehow manage to get down to 7% bf range you would be at around 220 - 225 pounds. Either you got a big build or you started off with a good amount of lbm.

[Tuna Fish]

Hi Firehawk-

Reharding your goal to burn fat- any intense weight routine (be it BFL or MOT or whatever) will stimulate the metabolism... Muscles get fried from lifting, need repair and refuel.... that's your "upped" metabolism.

*Eat more than it takes to repair/refuel= growth (muscle plus a bit of fat).
*Eat just slightly less= fat loss primarily (as long as you take in the proper PWO nutrients).
*Eat a lot less than necessary for repair/refuel or improper PWO nutrition= burn muscle primarily.

Simple as pie (got ya thinkin' about cheat day again, didn't I...? )

Tuna

[Firehawk]

LOL Tuna, yes you did, although the way i see it in my head, cheat day is a muscle building diet day LOL. Basically im tryin to drop about 2lbs a week of fat.

Dark, 7% is pretty low for me man. I think i want to be 10-12% and then stop there. But I say that now, ive never been down that low and hence WHEN i do get there, I may wanna try to keep going. All I know is that my body will add fat quickly if i start going awway from a diet. So I dont want to make it so hard that I have to eat absolutely pefect every single day otherwise ill start losing definition. Do you know what I mean?

Also, yes, i am big boned, broad shouldered. My muscles need developing for sure, but my frame is heavy in itself definitely. I figure another 10 lbs of pure muscle and ill be set as far as muscle goes. I am probably in the best shape of my life right now, even though its sad to say. I just want to focus on keeping it going.

My BF% in 11th grade was 40%. 9 years later, it is 33%. All ive ever known is a gut. I hate it. Im doing everything in my power to get rid of this fat, and increase muscle. Ive been trying so hard, and all I want to do is not look back and watch the fat fly off and the muscles get bigger.

[Firehawk]

Yesterday I did back/shoulders, and I was definitely breathing and sweating on that workout. I did Bent over Rows, Deadlifts, then Military Press, Upright Rows, and Shrugs.

So my opinion has changed slightly. I cant wait for legs tomorrow, im goin for 300 baby.