sucessfull bulk or no?

[moneyrich]

How do i tell if my bulk was successful or not before cutting?
Gained about 14lbs in 3months. Lifts haven't gone up much.
squats went up 10lbs and 3reps, deadlifts went up 10lbs, bench went up 10lbs, military press went up 20lbs.
Obviously it's hard to see any new muscle with the fat i put on, but my arms did get a little more vascular if that makes sense.
Didn't count calories or macros and only counted protein, but since i gained weight obviously i was in a surplus.
So is there anyway to tell if my bulk was successful? Or amidoingwrong with ****ty strength gains?
Edit:more info
Did an upper/lower split- Lyle's GBR to be exact. Assume 5 rep maxes if not otherwise stated
Bench went from 135 to 145lb
Squats went from 225 for 5reps to 235lbs for 8reps
Military press went from 95lbs to 115 lbs
Deadlifts went from 225 to 235lbs.
Leg press went from 2 plates to 4 plates, but i'm not sure if that is worth discussing.

[AlwaysTryin]

Sounds like a bad bulk... I gain more than 10lbs strength gains cutting

[JasonDB]

Sounds like a bad bulk... I gain more than 10lbs strength gains cutting

This... but you have given us complete **** for information. The only thing that looks good is your military press increase however you have not said if your bench went from 135 to 145 or 305 to 315 when you say a 10 lbs increase. It also sounds like you are on a bad program for a bulk as well, unless you are doing some type of GVT variation and you trained for power in the phase before it and your 135 10x10 bench only increased to 145 for 10x10.

The amount of information you've given us is completely useless.... which indicates laziness on your part... if you cannot give us the amount of information we need to actually answer your question it means you probably do not take your training very seriously in which case we cannot help you.

[Hormel]

I think it depends, were you cutting before? A lot of times when you go from cutting to bulking , esp if it's -500 to +500 calories you can gain around 5 pounds just from having more food in you, and replenishing your glycogen levels so we'll say around 10 lbs gained in 3 months, which would be about 3-4 lbs gained per month, which I think is a good number. But you're lifts didn't really go up that much, and IMO 3 months is a short time to be bulking. I've read that the shorter bulking/cutting cycles are more tailored made for people who aren't natty. Personally I've been bulking for 6 months now and plan to keep bulking until the weather outside doesn't call for a coat/hoodie. If I was you I'd keep bulking and try to get your lift numbers higher, it's cold outside and were all wearing coats anyways. We'd be able to give better feedback with pics though.

[moneyrich]

Sounds like a bad bulk... I gain more than 10lbs strength gains cutting
Since it was a bad bulk, should i assume all fat gains then?

[JasonDB]

You should have done a full body heavy training method instead of a split at your size and bodyweight. You did not push yourself at all. A 235 lbs deadlift and a 145 bench x5 is completely unacceptable for a healthy male who has been working out for 12 whole weeks. Your progress indicated that you probably did not gain more than a lbs, if any, muscle mass, and it appears that you didn't even bother to add weight every week. Not to be a dick but someone who is training this lazy (gaining over 1 lbs of bodyweight per week, starting at a low strength level and not adding 5 lbs to the bar every week on his bench and squats) isn't worth wasting time on unless they are paying you as a client.

[Lvisaa2]

Mirror test, yo.

[HunterCML]

You should have done a full body heavy training method instead of a split at your size and bodyweight. You did not push yourself at all. A 235 lbs deadlift and a 145 bench x5 is completely unacceptable for a healthy male who has been working out for 12 whole weeks. Your progress indicated that you probably did not gain more than a lbs, if any, muscle mass, and it appears that you didn't even bother to add weight every week. Not to be a dick but someone who is training this lazy (gaining over 1 lbs of bodyweight per week, starting at a low strength level and not adding 5 lbs to the bar every week on his bench and squats) isn't worth wasting time on unless they are paying you as a client.

Age: 19

Go easy bro; not everyone starts out great.

[Haligonian]

Yeah, that was way too harsh..

Mistakes are how we learn etc, blah blah

[drewzon87]

You should have done a full body heavy training method instead of a split at your size and bodyweight. You did not push yourself at all. A 235 lbs deadlift and a 145 bench x5 is completely unacceptable for a healthy male who has been working out for 12 whole weeks. Your progress indicated that you probably did not gain more than a lbs, if any, muscle mass, and it appears that you didn't even bother to add weight every week. Not to be a dick but someone who is training this lazy (gaining over 1 lbs of bodyweight per week, starting at a low strength level and not adding 5 lbs to the bar every week on his bench and squats) isn't worth wasting time on unless they are paying you as a client.

in b4 mannydawg posts your home address and mother's maiden name in response

[fad3d]

Not to be a dick but someone who is training this lazy (gaining over 1 lbs of bodyweight per week, starting at a low strength level and not adding 5 lbs to the bar every week on his bench and squats) isn't worth wasting time on unless they are paying you as a client.

Or maybe he is here because he needs advice and didn't do the bulk properly.

OP, before you start your next round, get some advice on a basic beginners lifting program that focuses on compound lifting and consistent progressive load. There are some stickys that do just that in the programs forum and we can answer specific questions

[MarkVI]

Since it was a bad bulk, should i assume all fat gains then?

Nope - but you should correct it ASAP.

Option #1: cut for 12 weeks and lose 10 lbs -- get on a better program and learn how to track everything.

Option #2: Maintain for now focusing on a GOOD weight routine where you get a lot stronger and can add muscle while being at maintenance calories.

You need to learn to track your diet and also learn how to workout properly




isn't worth wasting time on unless they are paying you as a client.

:confused: Yikes.

[NaLLa8705]

How does one go about progressively lifting more? I always see people suggest "just add 5 pounds on here or there"... is it really that simple?

[ven33]

in b4 mannydawg posts your home address and mother's maiden name in response

inb4 you post another idiotic thread bashing a kid who had an eating disorder and is making an amazing comeback.

[JasonDB]

How does one go about progressively lifting more? I always see people suggest "just add 5 pounds on here or there"... is it really that simple?

Yes, and hince why I made such harsh statements. He is eating enough to gain 1+ lbs a week, is starting from a very low strength point. All he had to do was add 5 lbs to the bar every week and his 135x5 bench would be 185+x5 today. This is why I was such a dick. He didn't read the stickies in any of the training forums, and did not add weight to the bar. He did not try to gain any strength. At this point in the game it is 100% linear progression for him. All he had to do was add weight every week.

I don't think it is unreasonable to expect that at some point in the first month of his bulk he would have stopped and read some basic information on novice level training and learned about the principle of progressive overload. Just like every one of you would be harsh, given that we all have read the stickies if someone posted here "I have been eating chicken, brown rice and broccoli for 6 meals a day for the past 12 weeks and I don't have ripped abs, failed cut?"

You guys would ask "So what did your macros and calories look like" and you very well might be dicks about it... especially if he then said "What's a calorie and what's a macro?" You would expect that at some point in that 12 weeks that person might have thought "Maybe I should go read up on basic nutrition and learn what carbs, protein and calories are." If they did not we would all be perfectly justified and blowing them off. In this case he didn't read even the most basic of info available in the stickies and in complete novice books like Starting Strength or he would have known that as a novice with a low amount of strength that he should be adding weight to the bar every week. Not knowing that, and still not having read this kind of think anywhere 12 weeks into a failing bulk rather says a lot.

[drewzon87]

inb4 you post another idiotic thread bashing a kid who had an eating disorder and is making an amazing comeback.

it was one sentence and had nothing to do with his eating disorder

i'd like to bash you that's for sure

pizza is not a vegetable

but you would be

[MITCHAPAL00ZA]

You should have done a full body heavy training method instead of a split at your size and bodyweight. You did not push yourself at all. A 235 lbs deadlift and a 145 bench x5 is completely unacceptable for a healthy male who has been working out for 12 whole weeks. Your progress indicated that you probably did not gain more than a lbs, if any, muscle mass, and it appears that you didn't even bother to add weight every week. Not to be a dick but someone who is training this lazy (gaining over 1 lbs of bodyweight per week, starting at a low strength level and not adding 5 lbs to the bar every week on his bench and squats) isn't worth wasting time on unless they are paying you as a client.

Totally reminds me of this:
H9kpTvm6CYA&NR=1

i bet OP is all like:

3bImBBTaPDY

[illiniStrive]

How does one go about progressively lifting more? I always see people suggest "just add 5 pounds on here or there"... is it really that simple?

er yeah

This is why people are often told to go on professionally written programs... the good ones actually TELL you when to increase the weight. And especially if you're on a bulk, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to add at least 5-10lbs to your squat/deadlift each week.

Obviously you know you did something wrong, which is why you made this thread. Now you can only look forward. MarkVI had some good options. Pick one and lift heavy.

Good luck!

[JasonDB]

In the instructions of the routine:

"This is an intermediate program. It is not appropriate for rank beginners. " OP did not read

"The program should be done across 6-8 week blocks of training." 12 weeks =/= 6-8 weeks

Reading over the program the progressive overload is quite weak, which makes it inappropriate for the rank novice they need a far more aggressive rate of progressive overload than this program provides... but again OP selected a program that was inappropriate for his level of experience, size and strength.

Op do this:
Monday

Squat 3x5
Deadlift 2x1
Bench 3x5
Barbell row 3x5
Standing press 3x5
Barbell curl 2x10

Wednesday
Squat 3x5
Bench 3x5
Barbell row 3x5
Standing press 3x5
Barbell curl 2x10

Friday
Squat 3x5
Bench 3x5
Barbell row 3x5
Standing press 3x5
Barbell curl 2x10

Every week add 5 lbs to the bar on everything but the standing press and curls, on those try to add 5 lbs every 2 weeks on the standing press and every 4 weeks on the curls.

[JeffyDOS]

er yeah

This is why people are often told to go on professionally written programs... the good ones actually TELL you when to increase the weight. And especially if you're on a bulk, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to add at least 5-10lbs to your squat/deadlift each week.

Obviously you know you did something wrong, which is why you made this thread. Now you can only look forward. MarkVI had some good options. Pick one and lift heavy.

Good luck!

But at what point should they stall around?

For me, I stalled around 315, but trying 320 next time.

Mind you, I went from 225 -> 245 -> 265 -> 285 -> 300 -> 315 (4 reps) -> 315 (4 reps) -> 315 (5 reps)

[JasonDB]

^ Why not 1x5 or 1x3 deadlifts instead of 2x1?

Noobs can't maintain form on deadlifts for reps without someone standing there instructing them in person. They touch and go, without any resetting, and run a risk of injury, better to have them do a couple max effort singles for better neural gains which will carry over into their other lifts to some extent.

[mannydawg]

Op do this:

Every week add 5 lbs to the bar on everything but the standing press and curls, on those try to add 5 lbs every 2 weeks on the standing press and every 4 weeks on the curls.

Would it not be beneficial for Wednesday to cut back a bit on the weight, maintain the same rep range but lower the weight and on Friday go for a new pr which will be the same weight used on the following Monday. So if squat on Monday is 150 on that Friday go for 155 and use 155 for Mondays workout of the next week and so on.

[illiniStrive]

Noobs can't maintain form on deadlifts for reps without someone standing there instructing them in person. They touch and go, without any resetting, and run a risk of injury, better to have them do a couple max effort singles for better neural gains which will carry over into their other lifts to some extent.

Hmm, I see your point, though I will respectfully disagree :D

My first impression of a deadlift is that it's called "dead"lift for a reason. I never bounced reps as a newb. 3-5 reps seems like a good number for the heavy sets since the reps are low enough to be heavy, and high enough to work on form. Pulling heavy heavy singles is the last thing I'd want a newb to do.

[JasonDB]

Would it not be beneficial for Wednesday to cut back a bit on the weight, maintain the same rep range but lower the weight and on Friday go for a new pr which will be the same weight used on the following Monday. So if squat on Monday is 150 on that Friday go for 155 and use 155 for Mondays workout of the next week and so on.

I would have backoff days if he were more advanced, but at his strength level and overeating he should be able to plow through 3 heavy days without issues.


Hmm, I see your point, though I will respectfully disagree :D

My first impression of a deadlift is that it's called "dead"lift for a reason. I never bounced reps as a newb. 3-5 reps seems like a good number for the heavy sets since the reps are low enough to be heavy, and high enough to work on form. Pulling heavy heavy singles is the last thing I'd want a newb to do.

I am assuming he at least watched a video for proper form... however given that he did not know about progressive overload your point concerning his safety doing heavy singles on deads may be valid. OP go watch form videos and do warmup sets on everything.

Also assuming his form is decent I don't feel deadlift singles will be an injury issue as I prefatigued his legs and glutes with heavy squats first, so his pulling will be suboptimal and shouldn't overtax his back... again unless his form is horrific, but if it is his destiny is already injury... and there isn't much we can do about it through the computer.

Oh and Hali I will be sure and red you back on the recharge or will you need a video to prove that also?

[illiniStrive]

I would have backoff days if he were more advanced, but at his strength level and overeating he should be able to plow through 3 heavy days without issues.

^^This

[Lvisaa2]

How does one go about progressively lifting more? I always see people suggest "just add 5 pounds on here or there"... is it really that simple?

Eh, pretty much. Although there are other ways to increase workload aside from just weight increases, but unless you are more advanced or have a relatively good grasp on your body then I wouldn't suggest experimenting.

[mannydawg]

Eh, pretty much. Although there are other ways to increase workload aside from just weight increases, but unless you are more advanced or have a relatively good grasp on your body then I wouldn't suggest experimenting.

to add to this more reps also counts. if you manage to lift 5 reps this week and your goal was 8 then next week keep the same weight and go for 8. once you get to 8 then increase the weight on the bar for the nexxt week.

[ven33]

it was one sentence and had nothing to do with his eating disorder

i'd like to bash you that's for sure

pizza is not a vegetable

but you would be

http://ompldr.org/vNzgwYg/miz%20laughing%202.gif

You aren't even worth the effort.

[JasonDB]

to add to this more reps also counts. if you manage to lift 5 reps this week and your goal was 8 then next week keep the same weight and go for 8. once you get to 8 then increase the weight on the bar for the nexxt week.

Again if he were stronger I might agree with this, increasing workload through increased reps, but this will be slower progression, and at his current strength levels his most rapid gains will be achieved my simply increasing the weight on the bar.

[mannydawg]

Again if he were stronger I might agree with this, increasing workload through increased reps, but this will be slower progression, and at his current strength levels his most rapid gains will be achieved my simply increasing the weight on the bar.

this was directed at nalla8705 not op. he asked about how to progress other than adding weight on the bar.

[drewzon87]

http://ompldr.org/vNzgwYg/miz%20laughing%202.gif

You aren't even worth the effort.

i know dude its too easy

like taking candy from a baby or playing volleyball against women

[JasonDB]

this was directed at nalla8705 not op. he asked about how to progress other than adding weight on the bar.

Ah ok.... basic methods of increasing overload, some are more suited for certain goals than others:

1)increase intensity: add weight to the bar... primary method
2) increase basic workload: add a rep(s) to each set.
3) increase volume: add more set(s) of a given lift or add new lifts
4) increase workload density: do the same work in less time... meaning reduce time slightly between sets using the same weight and reps.

[ven33]

i know dude its too easy

like taking candy from a baby or playing volleyball against women

Oh I'm sorry which sports have you played professionally? Oh that's right nothing.

BRB professional baseball player that can compete at the highest level in every sport he plays.

Thanks for trying phaggot.

[midcoastking33]

Ah ok.... basic methods of increasing overload, some are more suited for certain goals than others:

1)increase intensity: add weight to the bar... primary method
2) increase basic workload: add a rep(s) to each set.
3) increase volume: add more set(s) of a given lift or add new lifts
4) increase workload density: do the same work in less time... meaning reduce time slightly between sets using the same weight and reps.

or increasing time under tension for each rep

[NaLLa8705]

Ah ok.... basic methods of increasing overload, some are more suited for certain goals than others:

1)increase intensity: add weight to the bar... primary method
2) increase basic workload: add a rep(s) to each set.
3) increase volume: add more set(s) of a given lift or add new lifts
4) increase workload density: do the same work in less time... meaning reduce time slightly between sets using the same weight and reps.

foreverhelpful

foreveronspread


I read posts like this and don't want to end my bulk and be like.... uhhh... i dun goofed. Makes me start double thinking my training. I know I dont pussy foot around in the gym and go hard on my lifts, training just isn't my knowledge strong point like I feel nutrition is (even then my knowledge is very limited, I just feel confident in what i 'know')






On a side note... anyone wanna takes bets on ven vs drew? sh!ts getting interestingly funny

[drewzon87]

Oh I'm sorry which sports have you played professionally? Oh that's right nothing.

BRB professional baseball player that can compete at the highest level in every sport he plays.

Thanks for trying phaggot.

i think you mean semi-professionally

when people say professional baseball player they mean MLB

[JasonDB]

or increasing time under tension for each rep

I do not believe in this method, although yes many people do... I am not one of them. I cannot see how it could possibly induce strength or hypertrophy to intentionally slow a rep down... and my own observations are that people who use this method to any large degree are tiny and weak even when on grape juice... although there are exceptions to every rule. I've never worked with slow reps other than reps that were so heavy I could not move it... I would never actually reduce the force generated in order to lift is more slowly. That sounds like Mike Mentzer quackery.


As to Ven vs Drew... we do not know much about Drew's fighting background and maybe he studied jujitsu for 12 years... however given any formal martial arts background I have seen both lift. Ven is a lot stronger and previously a very serious athlete. In my experience serious athletes (college level and up) when they go toe to toe with an individual without any formal fighting background, tend to just destroy them. On the other hand Drew did make some mean gay crossfit videos, and crossfitters claim to be like a cross between a navy seal, a ninja and a triathilon athlete... so maybe just maybe if he could get Ven in the right hold he might try to piitb.

[Lvisaa2]

foreverhelpful

foreveronspread


I read posts like this and don't want to end my bulk and be like.... uhhh... i dun goofed. Makes me start double thinking my training. I know I dont pussy foot around in the gym and go hard on my lifts, training just isn't my knowledge strong point like I feel nutrition is (even then my knowledge is very limited, I just feel confident in what i 'know')

TBH, I don't even worry about progression. I push myself to my limits on every lift. In my experience, doing that yields both strength and size. I question whether people who state they 'go hard' really do, though(not speaking personally about you). What is hard? Is hard when it hurts? Is hard when you are a little sore? Nah, hard is when the bar literally falls from your hand due to exhaustion. Hard is when in-between sets you're barely standing from exhaustion and would be hurling if you could manage to walk yourself to the can. Hard is when you are light-headed and literally have to lay/sit down or pass out. Then you get right back up and add another rep to the next set. That is hard.

IMO, most don't do that. Most don't want to either so it is easier for them to follow some progressive load that tells them put on this much weight per session. Different strokes, yadig?

Edit: I agree mostly with Jason on the TUT. Although, I think slowing a rep can be used effectively, it can not be the only mechanism use to induce growth(imo)

[Phrak]

I do not believe in this method, although yes many people do... I am not one of them. I cannot see how it could possibly induce strength or hypertrophy to intentionally slow a rep down... and my own observations are that people who use this method to any large degree are tiny and weak even when on grape juice... although there are exceptions to every rule. I've never worked with slow reps other than reps that were so heavy I could not move it... I would never actually reduce the force generated in order to lift is more slowly. That sounds like Mike Mentzer quackery.

My mantra as well, slow sucks. Lifts should be explosive yet controlled. Moving the bar as fast as you can is a must. Bar speed naturally decreases as you increase %1RM which increases your TUT.

And to add to Lvisaa2, i only care about increasing my big three. I do most accessories to failure, and really never count reps as i tend to get into a zone. Usually my workout partners are left to count for me, or it ends up being a guesstimate. If i feel i did to many i simply add weight, if i didnt get in enough reps to fatigue the desired group ill do some drop sets.

[ven33]

i think you mean semi-professionally

when people say professional baseball player they mean MLB

That statement right there proves your ignorance.

Minor baseball players are still professional athletes.

Sorry. Nice try.

[midcoastking33]

I do not believe in this method, although yes many people do... I am not one of them. I cannot see how it could possibly induce strength or hypertrophy to intentionally slow a rep down... and my own observations are that people who use this method to any large degree are tiny and weak even when on grape juice... although there are exceptions to every rule. I've never worked with slow reps other than reps that were so heavy I could not move it... I would never actually reduce the force generated in order to lift is more slowly. That sounds like Mike Mentzer quackery.

I'm not a big fan either for the big lifts but I could see controlling the negative being useful for bicep curls or cable flyes. Of course none of this relates to the op forgetting about adding weight to the bar

[NaLLa8705]

]I question whether people who state they 'go hard' really do, though(not speaking personally about you). What is hard? Is hard when it hurts? Is hard when you are a little sore? Nah, hard is when the bar literally falls from your hand due to exhaustion. Hard is when in-between sets you're barely standing from exhaustion and would be hurling if you could manage to walk yourself to the can. Hard is when you are light-headed and literally have to lay/sit down or pass out. Then you get right back up and add another rep to the next set. That is hard.



Ok maybe I go 8/10 hard according to you :D. On most exercises I choose a weight I can do at least 6 of and no more than 10. If I can do 10 reps of good form then personally I up the weight. For me, I find the weight that feels best lets me do 3-6 reps with perfect form and the last few may not be perfect form, but still full ROM and I have to really push myself to finish. I work out alone so I try not to go to failure, maybe 1 or 2 reps shy


My mantra as well, slow sucks. Lifts should be explosive yet controlled. Moving the bar as fast as you can is a must. Bar speed naturally decreases as you increase %1RM which increases your TUT.

I like my lifts medium speed and controlled. Not necessarily 'explosive'. Am I doing it wrong? I do find myself more 'explosive' on the last few reps when I am trying hard to get the last few reps up.


This is also the first time in my life where I am eating above maintenance and lifting... so I am still learning as I go.

[NaLLa8705]

As to Ven vs Drew... we do not know much about Drew's fighting background and maybe he studied jujitsu for 12 years... however given any formal martial arts background I have seen both lift. Ven is a lot stronger and previously a very serious athlete. In my experience serious athletes (college level and up) when they go toe to toe with an individual without any formal fighting background, tend to just destroy them. On the other hand Drew did make some mean gay crossfit videos, and crossfitters claim to be like a cross between a navy seal, a ninja and a triathilon athlete... so maybe just maybe if he could get Ven in the right hold he might try to piitb.

lulz

[drewzon87]

That statement right there proves your ignorance.

Minor baseball players are still professional athletes.

Sorry. Nice try.

i could go out and get paid $100 to fight at some local show next weekend if i wanted

that doesn't make me a professional fighter

if someone came up to you and was like "see that guy over there, he's a professional football player!" you would think he meant that guy is in the NFL, not that he plays for the the Tempe Arizona Armored Armadillos arena football league

[Phrak]

I like my lifts medium speed and controlled. Not necessarily 'explosive'. Am I doing it wrong? I do find myself more 'explosive' on the last few reps when I am trying hard to get the last few reps up.


In my case n=1, when I fail a lift its usually from not generating enough bar speed. So practicing explosive lifting has help me progress my weights substantially. Ill do controlled/medium speed on warmup's and below 50% 1RM just so i dont get loose. But above that when reps are down between 1-5 i focus on popping the bar up as fast as possible.

[ven33]

i could go out and get paid $100 to fight at some local show next weekend if i wanted

that doesn't make me a professional fighter

if someone came up to you and was like "see that guy over there, he's a professional football player!" you would think he meant that guy is in the NFL, not that he plays for the the Tempe Arizona Armored Armadillos arena football league

football != baseball. Also, arena football players are PROFESSIONAL ARENA FOOTBALL PLAYERS. Understand that your argument lacks solid ground.

OHL hockey players are professional athletes
Arena football players are professional athletes
PBA Bowlers are professional athletes.

Fighting in someone's backyard for a video on youtube for $100 does not make you a professional athlete. It makes you a side show clown.

[drewzon87]

football != baseball. Also, arena football players are PROFESSIONAL ARENA FOOTBALL PLAYERS. Understand that your argument lacks solid ground.

OHL hockey players are professional athletes
Arena football players are professional athletes
PBA Bowlers are professional athletes.

Fighting in someone's backyard for a video on youtube for $100 does not make you a professional athlete. It makes you a side show clown.

but throwing a baseball in front of 12 people in the backwoods of Florida for $17 and a hot dog DOES make you a professional athlete? you are arguing that getting paid makes you professional right?

[ven33]

but throwing a baseball in front of 12 people in the backwoods of Florida for $17 and a hot dog DOES make you a professional athlete? you are arguing that getting paid makes you professional right?

Try again bud. Try again.

Minor league baseball draws more fans to each game then those mma fighting leagues underneath the UFC.

Deal with it.

[Haligonian]

It's funny that no one outside of the US gives a **** about baseball

Maybe a couple chinese

[drewzon87]

Try again bud. Try again.

Minor league baseball draws more fans to each game then those mma fighting leagues underneath the UFC.

Deal with it.

they also give away over 9000 free tickets

i live 2 minutes away from a minor league stadium

please tell me you have some chance of making this league

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberdeen_IronBirds

so i can hit you with a battery

[midcoastking33]

It's funny that no one outside of the US gives a **** about baseball

Maybe a couple chinese

it's an olympic sport. also everyone on the planet loves soccer but lettuce be real...

[Haligonian]

it's an olympic sport. also everyone on the planet loves soccer but lettuce be real...

Every single time I drive by a baseball diamond.. it's either empty or has people playing soccer baseball.

SOCCER BASEBALL, NOW THAT IS AN OLYMPIC SPORT!

[moneyrich]

Is it really that easy to progress? To simply just add 5lbs on the bar every week? I would have added weight if i could, but i didn't feel like i was able to.

[drewzon87]

Is it really that easy to progress? To simply just add 5lbs on the bar every week? I would have added weight if i could, but i didn't feel like i was able to.

at the most basic level, yes

its not going to always be perfectly linear though

but if you are bulking and at your level you should be at least adding reps or weight every week

[midcoastking33]

Is it really that easy to progress? To simply just add 5lbs on the bar every week? I would have added weight if i could, but i didn't feel like i was able to.

Depends on the lift and how many sets/reps you're doing, if the sets are linear or ramping up to a max, etc. I find that routines like SS, 5x5 and ws4sb make linear progression a lot easier to program in and focus on vs. more volume intensive routines like lyles but that's just me

[drewzon87]

i don't know how professionally (lolz) designed programs do it

but lets hypothetically say i do 5 sets of bench

and i did 155x8 165x8 175x8 180x8 first 4 sets then i try to put up 185 for 5 or 6 then next week i will try to ramp up to last week's max of 185 for 8 and then 190 for 5 or 6 and so on

[moneyrich]

i don't know how professionally (lolz) designed programs do it

but lets hypothetically say i do 5 sets of bench

and i did 155x8 165x8 175x8 180x8 first 4 sets then i try to put up 185 for 5 or 6 then next week i will try to ramp up to last week's max of 185 for 8 and then 190 for 5 or 6 and so on
What if 180x8 felt really heavy and you felt like you can't ramp up the weight, do you still go for it anyways?

[drewzon87]

What if 180x8 felt really heavy and you felt like you can't ramp up the weight, do you still go for it anyways?

i think you are mentally weak... sometimes if you think you can't lift it then you can't lift it

if you can get 180 up 8 times you should be able to put up 185 like 4-6 times

if you can only get it up 4 times then fine

can someone with more knowledge than myself answer this

in our 180 to 185 scenario

what would help you get 185x8 faster

doing more sets of 180x8 or working up to 180x10-12 or jumping right to 185x4? if that question makes sense?

higher volume of the slightly lower weight or lower volume of the target weight?

[midcoastking33]

i think you are mentally weak... sometimes if you think you can't lift it then you can't lift it

if you can get 180 up 8 times you should be able to put up 185 like 4-6 times

if you can only get it up 4 times then fine

can someone with more knowledge than myself answer this

in our 180 to 185 scenario

what would help you get 185x8 faster

doing more sets of 180x8 or working up to 180x10-12 or jumping right to 185x4? if that question makes sense?

higher volume of the slightly lower weight or lower volume of the target weight?

Ramping up the weight

[Lvisaa2]

Ramping up the weight

This, but that can't be equated to every situation. I'd argue the efficacy of doing that if you could only bust singles(specifically for bench at those numbers).

IMO, I'd err on the side of pushing more weight and not less. So you try to put up more weight and don't, so what(assuming you do it safely)? You fail. You change weight and you have motivation to do it next time.

To try and fail is progress, to fail to try is stagnation. Write it down, kiddos.

[moneyrich]

So i should try to up the weight 5lbs every week no matter how i am feeling through the workout?

[ThatWei]

If you don't like pushing yourself, maybe you should consider a different hobby?
Just saying...If you didn't get good results the first time by not pushing yourself hard enough...Do something different the second time.

[JasonDB]

So i should try to up the weight 5lbs every week no matter how i am feeling through the workout?

At your level of experience and strength on all those primary lifts you should be able to add 5 lbs to the bar every week unless one of the following prevents it:

1) caloric/nutrition restriction.... however you are gaining a lbs a week so this seems to not be a problem
2) sleep deprevation... in which case you probably should not be training at all.
3) illness/medical issues... if you have the flu you probably will not be able to add 5 lbs however again why are you in the gym infecting everyone else when you should be in bed?

[foodpr0n]

I am training my complete newb friend. I've got him managing and adding 5lbs to main lifts and reps/sets to isolation movements every workout.

I have do doubt in my mInd he is NOT eating properly at all but newbs don't even need to do that to make progress.

I have a dIfferent methodology to lavissa though :o
I do not believe in balls to the wall, kill yourself on everything training. It doesn't work for ME but ... It obviously works for him (check his insane pics). I go nowhere if I do it and am obviously doing something right with my friend.

The above does NOT mean I half ass my gym sessions, you can be your bottom dollar I go to the gym to outdo my last performance every chance a can, but it's tempered regarding failure.

So I'm not really sure what is happening here with op as I could progress as a newb with failure training all the time but can't now so dont (my friend is also progressing a lot faster with me than my old partner and I did when we were newbs and training to failure)

Gotta find what works for you, op.
Drop the fat you gained. Jump on a routine such as the one suggested in here and push yourself some.

[Lvisaa2]

Gotta find what works for you, op.
Drop the fat you gained. Jump on a routine such as the one suggested in here and push yourself some.

^ This. Like I said in my post, different strokes. Experiment and find what works for you, but linear progression is relatively guaranteed to work. Other methods have efficacy, but require experience with finding what works for you and the best way to utilize that.

[Ashlei]

So i should try to up the weight 5lbs every week no matter how i am feeling through the workout?

You should always be focusing on progressive overload, be it in reps or by adding weight. If you're doing all the reps with perfect form, the weight is too light. That's not to say use sloppy form, but for example if you're doing 5 reps, the first 3 or so should be good form, and the last 1-2 form starts to break because the weight is heavy.

I always look at the previous weights/reps I was pushing the week before and my goal when I workout is to add at least 1 rep, if not more, and preferably per set. Once I hit a certain amount of reps I up the weight - varies depending on exercise.

Like others have said, get on a good lifting routine, and push yourself!