Smitty

If you're trying to beef up, I've heard up to 4 grams per lb. of bodyweight. No matter what your goal is, most people will tell you to stick to the basic movements for the best gains. Bench Press, Squat, Military Press, Deadlift, Bent Over Rows,ect. Good luck man. I just finished my first workout, changing my goal from bodybuilding to powerlifting. Whew.

Hey all. I just finished my heavy Squat day. I didn't figure it would be all that bad. Wrong. I was glad I decided to work out at home instead of the gym. I cut half my normal weight off my squat because I'm not used to going the full way down, just to a half squat. After the last set with a 7 minute rest in between each, I decided to fore go the rest of the workout. And I'm not doing anything else strenuous today. I'm thankful there's no class tonight. I'd have a heck of a time running. Thanks for your help Sohan. I have a question, though. Could I perhaps replace a barbell with heavy dumbbells? I don't know why, but every time I squat it feels like my right leg is doing a whole lot more work than the left. It never happened with Dumbbells, but in powerlifting, they only use barbells... or is there something I can do to fix it? I'm pretty sure it's not my form...

It happens to me almost every time I meditate (if I can ever find time for it). It's a wonderful feeling, and as soon as I snap out of it I wish I was back in it. It happens to a lesser degree when I perform a kata and think to myself "let go". It just flows a whole lot better when the mind isn't there at all. I think the word is "mushin"? Mind-no mind, right? I've heard from this state you can do alot of extraordinary stuff, if you're trained enough, but I'll believe it when I see it in life, not tv.

If kicking's your thing, it's Tae Kwon Do. Depending on the school, you'll learn alot of different kicks, some very basic, some flashy. In my experience, theres alot more focus on the feet than the hands. But if that's your thing, Tae Kwon Do all the way.

I have. Man, they're crazy hard.

I'll definately start that before I leave. I have 2 weeks before I leave for basic training, so I'll see how it works out for me. 5 minutes between power sets and 3 between assistance sets? Why so long? That's an aweful long time. Anyway, thanks for all your help. I appreciate it.

Ok, so here's what I got thus far. Monday: Barbell Bench Press Tricep Push Downs Military Press Wednesday: Squat Deadlift Barbell Curls Chins Thursday: Barbell Bench Press Tricep Push Downs Military Press Friday: Squat Glute-Ham Raises Calf Raises Though I don't yet have a rep scheme. I think I know what you're saying about "You need to have a period of higher reps, then decrease reps and sets to develop your peak". I should, for a squat, say, do 60% of my 1RM for the first week, second week 65% of 8 reps, ect? I'm sure my math is off there, just an example.

After a certain point, you can't gain size from a bodyweight exercise. Then it just becomes endurance. In the higher rep ranges, it does help burn calories from doing the movements so much, but cardiovascular work is better for that.

Thanks. From what I've been able to tell, the sport revolves around the deadlift, squat, and bench press, and maxing them out. I've heard a 5x5 program is best for beginners, using a single day each week for that lift and supporting muscle. From what I can gather, a routine would look something like this : Monday: Squat 5x5 Front Squat 3x8-10 Glute-Ham Raises 3x8-10 Calf Raises 3-4 sets to failure Wednesday: Barbell Bench Press 5x5 Dumbell Bench Press 2x8-10 Close Grip Bench 3x5 Tricep Push Downs 2x10 Friday: Deadlift 5x5 Barbell Rows 3x6-8 Hyperextentions 3x 10-15 Barbell Curls 5x5 How close is that to a workable beginner routine? I'm not sure, but I think the opposing muscles should be worked on the same day. I got that routine off of bodybuilding.com , but something about that doesn't seem right. Maybe it's the bodybuilding knowledge I have that's different from powerlifting.

I was gonna find powerlifting forums. But I've found alot of people are also on steroids and train freaky times. I really don't have that. I go to school, I have my martial arts to do. Besides, my Sensei told me when I started bodybuilding he'd beat me senseless if he ever caught me on steroids. I figured this might be a better place to start. By the way, am I the only one who's Sensei is either psychic or an expert stalker?

I was sleepless last night, flipping through the channels, and I saw some powerlifting competitions. Man, I'm impressed! As soon as I get back from Basic Training, I wanna at least give it a shot. Do we have anyone who's knowledgeable on powerlifting to give me a plan to follow when I get back?

I don't know any Judo terms, so can I just say a hip throw?

I used to love WWE! I've always wanted to learn to do that.

I like to think that I'm smooth with the ladies. I can play either the suave card or the shy card very well once I find out which one the woman will respond to. Like the other day, my recuiter wanted to congratulate me for running a 6:20 mile. He brought over 2 college() girls(I'm in high school) and I played the shy card so well, I got a date the next night. It was so cool, until I found out that college girls are expensive.

I'm proud of my pecs most, closely followed by my hands. Yesterday on a pre- basic training test I was asked to perform my max pushups, and to my suprise, the 50th rep was the hardest. Maybe others here can do 100s, but I thought 50 was pretty good, seein I only need to 42 to graduate basic training. My hands are a close second because everytime they touch a girl for whatever reason I get "your hands are so soft!" and they feel the need to rub my hands with theirs, and more than once, they've wanted to feel them on their face.

Yes, you're right, of course. I suppose I just have to work harder, actually sit back and think harder about my routine. Thanks to everyone for their help. By the way, if you don't mind me asking, what part of PA are you from, Glockmeister?

Once again, forgive my ignorance on this subject. When I flex, I distinctly see a muscle division. I believe they're the pectoralis major and minor? I'm not an expert on anatomy, but isn't that sorta the same thing?

The same could be said for the abs. But people do weighted leg lifts and crunches. They work different sections of the same muscle more specifically.

This is true. But certain parts of the chest are more worked by different exercises. An incline or decline bench press will stress a respective part of the chest than a flat bench press.

You're right. But I feel I'm already big enough.I want to finish my whole looking fairly good thing, then go for exclusively strength gains. I think I might have to lose a lil fat on my pecs, and at the same time target the areas I think I need work. And I've found if I flye with the dumbbell lower, it'll work the lower pec more. Thus what I'm looking for. I never thought about it till I was trying the cables for the first time. Thanks, Aodhan.

How about the "inner" curve? I don't really know how to explain it. Like, the slope between the inner pec and the lower pec.

Thanks. When I say "inner pec" maybe I should have been more specific. I mean the "curve" of the pec. If that makes sense.

I was just wondering. What are the cals / lifts that really bring out the lower pec and inner pec? I'm trying to get myself a nice shapely chest, but I find myself stupid on this peticular part.

Well, after stopping trying to correct my posture (I felt my curvative in the neck was too far forward) the pain is somewhat relieved. But something at the base of my neck still doesn't feel right. First thing tuesday, I'm off to a doctor.

Wtf? Are you mad or someit? This is one hundred percent true. Did anyone else hear that Congress rejected a bill for the 22nd straight year that would make Chuck Norris the official death penalty in Texas? They say "a fatal roundhouse kick from Chuck Norris is more of an honor than a penalty".