My Fitness Journal

[Firehawk]

lol well there's a difference between weights in the 200s and weights in the 300s. They just feel THAT MUCH HEAVIER all the time, and get harder and harder to increase on.

[gcs118]

Originally Posted by Klinger

Lol. Understatement of the month, Dave.

I'm seriously impressed by your ability to keep tacking weight on to your DL every week, Greg. You're on a helluva roll.

You know, I'm honestly surprised I haven't hit a wall yet for deadlifts. I think it's because I started probably too light when I first began in Feb. or Mar. of 2004. I was only using 3 x 8 at 95 lbs for my very first sets. As I was learning the form and gaining weight on my deadlifts, I was doing all of the supplementary exercises with heavier weights. Otherwise I have no idea why I keep increasing, but I'll take it!

[gcs118]

CHEST, Thursday, February 17, 2005
Bench Press 8 x 45 lbs, 8 x 95 lbs CG, 6 x 135 lbs, 4 x 165 lbs, 4 x 175 lbs, 2 x 185 lbs, 1 x 195 lbs
Incline Flyes 6 x 40 lbs, 6 x 45 lbs, 6 x 50 lbs
Decline Press 8 x 155 lbs, 10 x 155 lbs
Push Ups BW x 4, BW+15 x 4, BW+35 x 4, BW+50 x 4

Notes: Wow. Great day. 195 lbs was my previous max on bench, couldn't make 2 reps. I'm hoping my max is now at least 205. There is a bench press competition at the rec center in a month. I might enter just for the sake of a competition - I know I'll get my ass handed to me though. Incline flyes were strong, could have kept going on 50s. Decline press dominated my triceps.

Push ups was something new. I've never added weight on these before. I just had my friend put the plates on my back towards my shoulders. It would sometimes slide down. Anyone have better suggestions other than stacking plates on my back for weighted push ups?

I have not used it, but I've read comments about the Power Push Up II device. A way to add resistance to push-ups. You should be able to get some hits on the web about it if interested. Alternative, do push-ups superslow, 10 seconds down and 10 seconds up. It will feel like you have a ton of bricks on your back.

[Lift2Live]

very nice job on the benching! Next week, skip the 175 and go straight to the 185 then attempt the 205. Might save enough energy from the 175 to get it up. I know you can, it's only 10 pounds! :

[gcs118]

Bob ... I was aiming for 4,4,2,2 rep scheme, so I wasn't too off. I might try for some heavy triples at 185 next week. I need to get comfortable dealing with heavier weights on the bench.

pierini ... I might try going really slow next time, thanks.

[Firehawk]

Your max is alot higher than 205 dude. I'd bet you'd have a good chance at hitting 225 right now if you just maxed. You actually did a workout then tried to find what you could get for 1.

[Lift2Live]

So are you strength lifting then, non hypertrophy based scheme?

[Firehawk]

Well with strength comes muscle growth, .

[Lift2Live]

Sometimes, yes. Obviously powerlifters are strong but they don't have the look of a bodybuilder so, I am curious as to gregg's (I hope i remembered the right name lol) goals. There's no way i'd lift for strength if I wanted hypertrophy gains is all.

[Firehawk]

They dont' ahve the look of a bodybuilder because they generally don't cut down that low. They might also not be exactly proportionate, but close enough. It's unlikely a BB could go and outlift a pwerlifter though. See what i mean? It doesn't work the other way though.

The more and more I search and learn to understand bodybuilding vs powerlifting, both want to put on mass but it seems alot more logical to lift the powerlifting way, even if you want to be a bodybuilder and compete in those competitions.

Strength is the key to Muscle growth, not the other way around.

I guess it's all in what you wanna do, but to say "i wouldnt lift for strength if i was going for hypertrophy" is a complete misconception. Go to irongame.com and watch the lifts there. Those guys train like powerlifters not bodybuilders. Look at some of those beasts and tell me they didn't gain muscle lol..

[gcs118]

Dave ... I didn't intentionally go for a "max" today, I just couldn't finish my 4,4,2,2 rep scheme as planned. I am lifting for strength, hence the heavier weights and low reps. Right now I don't care much for bodybuilding, just powerlifting. I might cut down later, but that's another story.

Bob ... you have the right name, but no second g! Greg.

[Firehawk]

I guess my whole point of it is this:

If you were training like a powerlifter, you could later decide to be a bodybuilder and get on stage and probably blow the competition out of the water. You would definitely be able to outlift them all!

But if you were a bodybuilder and wanted to convert to powerlifting, that would be much much harder because now you have to work to get your strength up.

[gcs118]

I understand your point, lol but I don't think I see how it fit into the discussion :confused:

EDIT: Ok, reread Bob's comments, and yes, I'm going for strength as of right now.

[Firehawk]

Mainly was responding to Lift when he said this which makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, but that i think sums up the war between BBs and PL's. lol


There's no way i'd lift for strength if I wanted hypertrophy gains is all.

Oh please dear God Bob, please read this article which probably answers all the misconceptions you have about strength training.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/plmyths.htm

Now, I will also address the issue of people saying that training for power lifting won’t help you achieve some awesome gains in mass. Just like the ‘fat’ stereotype, this one is ridiculous. How can a person not grow if they are slinging around heavy weights? Besides, many assistance exercises that most power lifters do are in the higher rep ranges. There is no reason that training for maximum strength output will not lead to gains in lean mass.