Ending 2009 with a bang! A Neogenix Supremacy and GT-Stack Log!

[Ecnewyx]

Introduction:
First, I'd like to thank donoh and the entire Neogenix crew for the opportunity to do this sponsored Supremacy log. Supremacy is a synergistic matrix of specialized herbal extracts designed to optimize endogenous hormone levels for enhancing muscle growth while accelerating fat loss. This is systematically done by modulating estrogen levels, indirectly increasing testosterone production, freeing bound inactive testosterone, and reducing cortisol and prolactin levels while improving nutrient utilization. More information on Supremacy can be seen here: http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/neo/sup.html

About Me:
I've always been very, very skinny. You probably wouldn't believe it but there was a time when I was skinnier than I am now... and I didn't even notice until college when I went to the university gym and stepped on the scale... and it said 127 lbs! Well, over the years I've spent countless hours in the gym, read countless magazines, and was swamped by countless advertisements and promises... for all the good that's done me. I've been lifting planlessly and while I'm certainly in better shape now than I was... I'm not yet at the point when I can tell people "I workout" without getting "Oh really?" in response.

Plan & Goal:
I'll be running two 4-week cycles of Supremacy alongside the GT-stack for a total of 8-weeks. My goal is to finally put on some noticeable size. To that end, I'll be working a 8-week Max-OT-style workout with the primary focus on working sets of the big three: Deadlifts, Squats, and Barbell Bench. There'll be a slight change in exercises used every 4 weeks. Instead of logging the weights used every workout, I'll log the improvement from week to week in my final work set.

(Example: If my barbell bench press improves from 135 to 155 for the same number of reps, I'll log it as +20) Calculations will be done via the Bodyspace 1-rep max calculator.

Core Supplements:
Neogenix Stack:
Supremacy
BodyForge http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/neo/bodyforge.htm
CryoShock http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/neo/cryoshock.htm

Additional Supplements:
Mutlivitamin
Animal Flex
Fish Oil
Whey + Casein Protein

Diet will be around 3,000-3,500 calories per day on a slight carb cycle. I'm not going to be overly concerned about keeping the calories clean but I will do my best to avoid garbage calories ?€“ priority #1 is making sure I'm never in a calorie deficit and putting on as much lean mass and increasing strength as much as possible!

Let's get it on!

(P.S. If anyone has any suggestions or comments on how to make this log even better please share!)

[RooRooTJ]

Subbed. Good luck

[Ecnewyx]

Initial Impressions:
I started with a dose of Supremacy before lunch and dinner. About 30 minutes before my first workout I took my first dosage of Bodyforge and Cryoshock, but I ended up mixing the two together since I was heading to the gym with just one bottle of water. The review is for the both of them taken together.

Taste: 7/10
When mixed together, it had a very sweet taste. I didn't expect it but it ended up tasting like a mouthful of Jolly Ranchers. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing ? depends on whether you like Jolly Ranchers I suppose. I had no problems drinking it, but it was almost too sweet. Still, I don't expect or need my supplements to taste good, the only thing that matters is that they work! Being enjoyable is just a nice bonus, and the Bodyforge and Cryoshock mix at least passes that test. (For my next workout I'll take them both separately.)

Mixability: 9/10
No problems mixing in a BB.com shaker bottle. I didn't have any clumps at the end even though I had two scoops in with 18oz of water. The consistency wasn't too thick either so there wasn't any left at the bottom when I finished drinking. No wasted supplements!

Energy & Focus: 10/10
I had a GREAT workout, despite not having lifted anywhere close to as heavy in the past few weeks. For my first workout I was very impressed with how much focus I had and I was able to push what was close to a personal best for me.

The best thing for me was that there was no crash whatsoever. I lifted around 8:00-9:00 p.m., and it gave me the energy to finish the workout but then afterwards when I got to bed I had no problems falling asleep. A HUGE plus for people who have to train late at night.

Pump: 5/10
I didn't experience a very significant "pump" during my workout, chest and triceps blew up a little bit but it wasn't anything insane.

Overall:
I was pleased that I was able to kick off the plan with a good start. I was able to workout with more focus despite having a rough morning and I was able to move more weight than I had in the past -- despite the long layoff! Definitely happy so far.

Workout #1: Chest + Triceps (10-24-2009)
Sets and reps listed do no include Max-OT warmup sets

Barbell Bench: 3 sets x 4-6 reps, 4 x 235 (best set of the night) = 257 Max*
Incline Dumbell Bench: 2 x 4-6 @ 80 lbs
Decline Bench: 1 x 4-6 @ 245 lbs
Cable Crossovers: 1 x 6-8 @ 80 lbs
Cable Pressdowns: 3 x 6-8 @ 130 lbs
Triangle Pressdowns: 2 x 6-8 @ 130 lbs
Cable Crunches: 3 x 6-8 @ 190-200

*I don't think I could actually push 257 once but that's what the Bodyspace calculator says and for strictly tracking purposes, that's what I'll go with.

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
WOW. That's all I can say... wow. If this is what I can expect from the weeks ahead, I can't wait. Energy and focus were dialed in (despite the fact that I had worked out the evening before) and on my heavy lifts I was able to really zone in and block out the doubts that usually say 'go ahead and stop you can't do any more reps'.

Now it's the morning after and I'm sore as hell everywhere though, so we get to see how BodyForge deals with the recovery process.

Workout #2: Back + Biceps (10-25-2009)
Sets and reps listed do no include Max-OT warmup sets

Deadlifts: 2 sets x 4-6 reps, 4 x 295 (best set of the night) = 322 Max*
V-bar Pulldown: 2 x 4-6 @ 190 lbs
V-bar Seated Row: 1 x 4-6 @ 170 lbs
Farmers Walk + Shrugs: 4x @ 160 lbs + bar
Cable Curls: 3 x 6-8 @ 140 lbs
EZ-Bar Curls (Wide & Inside): 2 x 6-8 @ 60 lbs + bar
Dumbbell Hammer Curls: 1 x 6-8 @ 35 lbs

[RooRooTJ]

Looking really good so far.

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
Had really bad DOMS on Monday, took BodyForge as recommended on off days. I don't know if it helped exclusively but the soreness was gone enough for me to lift today. Got off of work late so really needed the focus that the CryoShock + BodyForge mix gave me. On a side note, the taste of the two mixed together is starting to grow on me!

Workout #3: Shoulders (10-28-2009)
Sets and reps listed do not include Max-OT warmup sets

Seated Dumbbell Press: 3 x 4-6 @ 55 lbs
Seated Lateral Dumbbell Raises: 2 x 6-8 @ 35 lbs
Seated Front Dumbbell Raises 2 x 6-8 @ 35 lbs
Rear Delts/Pec-Deck: 2 x 6-8 @ 120-130 lbs
Machine Dips (Tricep Grip): 3 x 6-8 @ 180 lbs
Cable Pulldowns (Tricep): 2 x 6-8 @ 120 lbs

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
Had an allergy or bronchitis thing going on the past couple of days which made it difficult to breathe. So I was dreading leg day more than usual... squats have always been the weakest of my three lifts for some reason. I'm hoping with hard work, proper nutrition, and the GTR stack that'll no longer be the case in a month!

Workout #4: Legs (10-31-2009)
Sets and reps listed do not include Max-OT warmup sets

Squats: 3 x 4-6 @ 215 lbs; 5 x 215 (best set of the night) = 242 Max
Leg Press: 2 x 4-6 @ 510 lbs
Stiff-legged Deadlifts: 2 x 4-6 @ 195 lbs
Seated Calf-Press: 2 x 6-8 @ 200 lbs
Standing Calf-Raise: 1 x 6-8 @ 215 lbs

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
Starting the second week now. Strength gains should be coming in soon, eh? Although to be honest I'm just thankful I haven't LOST any strength since recovering from bronchitis. I managed to increase the weight on my incline dumbbell bench by 5 lbs, though I really had to dig deep to get them done. And I bumped up the weight on the tricep exercises even though I didn't have a spotter/assist on the final reps... definitely a plus! Have a little elbow soreness at the moment though, so I'll keep an eye on that.

Really like the CryoShock/BodyForge combo. There've been a lot of potential setbacks in this week alone that might've caused me to mail it in and call off the workouts but instead it's given me the energy and focus to lift harder and better than before.

Workout #5: Chest + Triceps (11-01-2009)
Sets and reps listed do no include Max-OT warmup sets

Barbell Bench: 3 sets x 4-6 reps, 4 x 235 (best set of the night) = 257 Max*
Incline Dumbell Bench: 2 x 4-6 @ 85 lbs (+5)
Decline Bench: 1 x 4-6 @ 245 lbs
Cable Crossovers: 1 x 6-8 @ 80 lbs
Cable Pressdowns: 3 x 6-8 @ 140 lbs (+10)
Triangle Pressdowns: 2 x 6-8 @ 140 lbs (+10)
Cable Crunches: 3 x 6-8 @ 190-200

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
It's been about a week (1/2 way through the second week?) so I'm looking forward to really putting on some strength for these lifts. Getting over a bit of a cough that made me feel weaker than normal but NO EXCUSES!

The big surprise today was that even though I felt REALLY out of it heading to the gym, once the CryoShock and BodyForge kicked in it almost didn't matter how badly I felt, I was able to center myself and move those weights! That was a great feeling because honestly I was worried about losing some strength from being sick... what a relief to have actually gained some strength instead!

Workout #6: Back + Biceps (11-03-2009)
Sets and reps listed do no include Max-OT warmup sets

Deadlifts: 2 sets x 4-6 reps, 5 x 295 (best set of the night) = 332 Max* (+10)
V-bar Pulldown: 2 x 4-6 @ 200 lbs (+10)
V-bar Seated Row: 1 x 4-6 @ 170 lbs
Farmers Walk + Shrugs: 4x @ 160 lbs + bar
Cable Curls: 3 x 6-8 @ 140 lbs
EZ-Bar Curls (Wide & Inside): 2 x 6-8 @ 60 lbs + bar
Dumbbell Hammer Curls: 1 x 6-8 @ 35 lbs

[donoh]

I totally missed this! lol

Awesome start man things are looking great!

[RooRooTJ]

Nice I like seeing those weights go up.

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
A few days behind on workouts, but I'm almost all caught up! Finishing up the second week; I realize that the process of putting on quality size and strength is a long one but I'm really excited about what's to come in the next few weeks.

Shoulders have always been one of my problem areas. I just can't seem to hit them effectively and make them grow!

Workout #7: Shoulders (11-04-2009)
Sets and reps listed do not include Max-OT warmup sets

Seated Dumbbell Press: 3 x 4-6 @ 55 lbs; Best set of the night 4 x 60 lbs
Seated Lateral Dumbbell Raises: 2 x 6-8 @ 35 lbs
Seated Front Dumbbell Raises 2 x 6-8 @ 35 lbs
Rear Delts/Pec-Deck: 2 x 6-8 @ 130-140 lbs (+10)
Machine Dips (Tricep Grip): 3 x 6-8 @ 180 lbs
Cable Pulldowns (Tricep): 2 x 6-8 @ 130 lbs (+10)

[donoh]

Nice numbers man. I like higher reps for getting my delts to grow. Keep it up!

[Ecnewyx]

Originally Posted by donoh

Nice numbers man. I like higher reps for getting my delts to grow. Keep it up!

Thanks! I might have to try that, it's always been the hardest body part for me to train.

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
Finally all caught up with workouts. LEG DAY... (shakes a fist) So frequently ignored by bodybuilders and lifters. Ah well. I'll confess to not loving leg day, since it makes it difficult to navigate stairs for at least a day or two afterward.

Workout #8: Legs (11-05-2009)
Sets and reps listed do not include Max-OT warmup sets

Squats: 3 x 4-6 @ 225 lbs; 4 x 225(best set of the night) = 244Max (+2)
Leg Press: 2 x 4-6 @ 510 lbs
Stiff-legged Deadlifts: 2 x 4-6 @ 205 lbs (+10)
Seated Calf-Press: 2 x 6-8 @ 200 lbs
Standing Calf-Raise: 1 x 6-8 @ 215 lbs

[donoh]

I don't like leg day as well but it has to e done. Hit them squats hard and you'll appreciate it later!

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
Oof, this is the first time I felt a little weaker than normal. Guess that cough caught up with me... starting off the third week now. I feel as if I'd be much stronger if I hadn't come down with that bronchitis or whatever it was... even though I managed to workout still (thank goodness for friends with basement gyms) it's catching up to me.

Progress pics updated, not much change in size/appearance, but with improvements in strength those should follow.

The back injury isn't anything serious, just a little tender. Spent a little bit of time with the foam roller and since I have a few days off before my next workouts (which won't impact the back too much) I fully expect it to be fine in time for the next update.

Workout #9: Chest + Triceps (11-07-2009)
Sets and reps listed do no include Max-OT warmup sets

Barbell Bench: 3 sets x 4-6 reps, 4 x 235
Incline Dumbell Bench: 2 x 4-6 @ 85 lbs
Decline Bench: (Skipped)
Cable Crossovers: 1 x 6-8 @ 80 lbs
Cable Pressdowns: 3 x 6-8 @ 140 lbs
Triangle Pressdowns: 2 x 6-8 @ 150 lbs (+20)
Cable Crunches: 3 x 6-8 @ 200

Workout #10: Back + Biceps (10-25-2009)
Sets and reps listed do no include Max-OT warmup sets

Deadlifts: (Tweaked my back on the warmup set)
V-bar Pulldown: 3 x 4-6 @ 200 lbs (+10)
V-bar Seated Row: 1 x 4-6 @ 160 lbs (-10)
Farmers Walk + Shrugs: 4x @ 180 lbs + bar (+20)
Cable Curls: 3 x 6-8 @ 140 lbs
EZ-Bar Curls (Wide & Inside): 2 x 6-8 @ 70 lbs + bar (+10)
Machine Curls: 2 x 12 @ 100 lbs

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
Switched my workout order around so I have an extra day in between legs and deadlifts. Going into week 3 of Supremacy and the GT-stack and today was the first day where I just FELT strong. It's tough to describe, but definitely a good thing and it has me very excited about finishing up the next two weeks.

CryoShock + BodyForge works out pretty well for me since I often find myself in the gym late after work. It starts to work pretty fast, I can feel it dialing in after about 15-20 minutes, with the full effects settling in after 45 minutes (after which I'm finished with my warmups, etc.) I really like the boost of energy it provides and the fact that it doesn't keep me from sleeping later... and I haven't observed any crashes from it so far either. However: I would note that for people who work out early in the morning, or who NEED a real jolt of energy, then the CS/BF combo may not be enough. It gives a solid boost, and has provided me with very good focus while at the weights... but it's not going to wake you up if you're half-asleep.

(To be fair, I haven't experienced with the dosages too much since 1-1.25 scoops has been more than adequate for me.)

Really excited about the progress with legs, although yes, yes... I know my squat is still pathetic, and will continue to be pathetic until I load up 3 plates up on that there barbell. I am working at it though.

Workout #11: Legs (11-11-2009)
Sets and reps listed do not include Max-OT warmup sets

Squats: 3 x 4-6 @ 235 lbs; 5 x 235 (best set of the night) = 265 Max (+23)
Leg Press: 2 x 4-6 @ 510 lbs
Stiff-legged Deadlifts: 2 x 4-6 @ 235 lbs (+40)
Seated Calf-Press: 3 x 6-8 @ 210 lbs (+10)
Standing Calf-Raise: (Skipped)

[donoh]

Great detail man

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
I added an extra set of dumbbell raises to really try and force some increases there. But, I'm happy to report that the strength increases keep on coming! It'd make me sad that I only have 1.5 weeks of Supremacy left (since I seem to hitting the initial phase of strength increases) but then I remembered that I have an 8-week supply.

Workout #12: Shoulders (11-12-2009)
Sets and reps listed do not include Max-OT warmup sets

Seated Dumbbell Press: 3 x 4-6 @ 65 lbs; Best set of the night 3 x 65 lbs
Seated Lateral Dumbbell Raises: 2 x 6-8 @ 35 lbs
Standing Lateral Dumbbell Raises: 2 x 10-12 @ 25 lbs
Seated Front Dumbbell Raises 2 x 6-8 @ 35 lbs
Rear Delts/Pec-Deck: 2 x 6-8 @ 150 lbs (+10)
Machine Dips (Tricep Grip): 3 x 6-8 @ 180 lbs
Cable Pulldowns (Tricep): 2 x 6-8 @ 150 lbs (+30)

[/QUOTE]

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
Keep the good workouts coming Neogenix! Hitting personal bests on all major lifts, and I'm in a good mood at the gym too because I know when I get in I'll be making improvements. I'm particularly happy with the deadlifts... I know it's not much compared to some of the other guys on here -- routinely pulling 400-500 for reps -- but it's progress for me! Someday I'll get there... maybe by the end of this 8-week cycle.

It felt great also, on the first rep I was like, "Holy **** I can't believe I'm lifting this so easily" and then by rep 5 I was like, "Holy **** I'm STILL going" and then I lost the focus and couldn't get the 6th rep up. Still, it's better than I've ever done before. Full stop with deadlifts of course, so no momentum cheat. 3 plates for reps by the end??! We'll see, if I manage it I'll definitely be impressed (both with myself and with Supremacy) since really it's only been 3 weeks. That's really not a lot of time in the grand scheme of iron lifting.

Anyway, one more week to go with the log though I'll probably keep on updating throughout with progress pics at least, so there's something to compare.

Workout #13: Chest + Triceps (11-14-2009)
Sets and reps listed do no include Max-OT warmup sets

Barbell Bench: 3 sets x 4-6 reps, 4 x 235
Incline Dumbell Bench: 2 x 4-6 @ 90 lbs (+5)
Decline Bench: 1 x 4-6 @ 245
Cable Crossovers: 1 x 6-8 @ 80 lbs
Cable Pressdowns: 3 x 6-8 @ 150 lbs (+10)
Triangle Pressdowns: 2 x 6-8 @ 150 lbs (+20)
Cable Crunches: (Skipped)
Weighted Decline Crunches: 3 x 6 @ 15 lbs behind the head

Workout #14: Back + Biceps (11-15-2009)
Sets and reps listed do no include Max-OT warmup sets

Deadlifts: 2 sets x 4-6 reps, 5 x 305 (best set of the night) = 343 Max* (+21)
V-bar Pulldown: 3 x 4-6 @ 200 lbs (+10)
V-bar Seated Row: (Skipped)
Farmers Walk + Shrugs: 4x @ 200 lbs + bar (+40)
Cable Curls: 3 x 6-8 @ 150 lbs
EZ-Bar Curls (Wide & Inside): 2 x 6-8 @ 70 lbs + bar (+10)
Machine Curls: 2 x 12 @ 100 lbs

Edit: The hardest part of all this is the EATING. I'm staring at my postworkout meal (I took my shake already) and I just want to throw up, lol.

[Ecnewyx]

Impressions:
Another day another personal best.

I really upped the weight on the stiff-legged deadlifts... doing those after squats + leg presses were agonizing (my face was red like a cherry I'm sure) but I got through them. I'm hoping that it pays dividends with my regular deadlifts. I can't wait to crack 3 plates on deadlifts, and soon (hopefully) 3 plates with my squat as well since it's a little embarrassing at the moment.*

Workout #11: Legs (11-17-2009)
Sets and reps listed do not include Max-OT warmup sets

Squats: 3 x 4-6 @ 235 lbs; 4 x 245 (best set of the night) = 267 Max (+25)
Leg Press: 2 x 4-6 @ 510 lbs
Stiff-legged Deadlifts: 2 x 4-6 @ 255 lbs (+60)
Seated Calf-Press: 3 x 6-8 @ 260 lbs
Standing Calf-Raise: (Skipped)

*Very embarrassing.

[donoh]

Don't be embarassed, its all about growing and getting the feeling down man. Nice lifts!

[RooRooTJ]

Hell took me about a year to finally get over the 3 plate mark on squat. Keep at it

[NewYorkMets]

OP what kind of gym shorts you wear ?

[Ecnewyx]

Originally Posted by NewYorkMets

OP what kind of gym shorts you wear ?

rofl

Adidas track pants that I got from Target 8 years ago. Or sweats if it's cold/early in the morning.

That's why I need fashion help from Men's Health!

[donoh]

Originally Posted by Ecnewyx

rofl

Adidas track pants that I got from Target 8 years ago. Or sweats if it's cold/early in the morning.

That's why I need fashion help from Men's Health!

lol

[Ecnewyx]

Final Week 4 Impressions:
Well, after 4 weeks of running Supremacy and the GT stack, here are my final thoughts! Overall I'm very pleased with the stack -- I was definitely getting stronger, and the numbers back that up. Most significantly, I was able to put up increases for deadlifts and squats despite "plateauing" on those for quite some time previously.

The numbers might've been even better if I hadn't caught a cold at the start of week 2.

It took about 2 weeks I feel for Supremacy really to "kick in". Since then I've just felt stronger, and the hardest part is no longer lifting heavy weights -- it's actually (1) getting over the mindblock of how heavy it is and (2) eating. No complaints about the GT stack; it does the job at a fairly good value. I workout early in the day on weekends, and late at night on weekdays, and the GT stack has ensured that I've always had plenty of energy and focus to get those weights moving. Haven't experienced any crashes, and sleep has been unaffected.

The bottom line I suppose is this: 4 weeks is a very short amount of time to make progress, and really ANY progress would've been welcome. To finally get to 3 plates for reps on deadlift, and increase 25-30 lbs on squats and deadlifts feels amazing given the short time frame. My only complaint would be that a cycle of Supremacy only lasts 4 weeks... but that's why I ordered an extra bottle. If you're looking for a complete stack, give the GTR Stack a shot.

Thank you again Neogenix for giving me this opportunity, and for making a fantastic product. I'm looking forward to the gains that I'll be making in the next 4 weeks now that Supremacy seems to be going full bore! I can't wait to hit 3 plates on squats, and knowing that Neogenix is in my corner, that goal doesn't seem so far off anymore!

Results:
10-24-2009 (Start) --> 11-22-2009 (Week 4 Finish)

Barbell Flat Bench: 4 x 235; 257 max --> 4 x 235; 257 max* +0
Deadlift: 4 x 295; 322 max --> 5 x 315; 355 max +33 lbs
Squat: 5 x 215; 242 max --> 4 x 245; 267 max +25 lbs

*While I wasn't able to put on any more weight for flat bench, I was able to do more sets at the same weight (but BodySpace has no way of tracking that, hehe) and I did increase the weight on my incline bench press.