Universal AWO stack: hittin new levels!

[grape-ape]

I was generously chosen to test log this sweet stack. I am trying a new heavy, negative rep routine to add some serious size, hopefully adding 50 pounds to my bench, 100 to deadlift and 100 to squat. Here is my breakdown
Mon. - Chest/Tri's
Tues - Cardio
Wed - Back/Bi's
Thurs - Shoulders/Tri's
Fri - Off
Sat - Legs/Bi's/light Tri's

I need to add some size to my bi's , so I will be hitting those extra heavy twice a week. I have avoided DL's and heavy squats due to bad knees, but I have slowly strengthened the ligaments and tendons and I am looking forward to blasting these to new levels!

[WrkHrd_PlyHrdr1]

Sweet stuff! I can't wait to get this stack. Good luck with your log, I'll be following along

[grape-ape]

same here bro, I'll be checkin in with ya to see how your routine is doin, looks brutal, gotta love it!

[Country Mike]

Congrats and I will be riding along with ya bro

[B Con]

SUBBED. I love this stack and looking forward to seeing how it reacts with you.

[grape-ape]

Haven't received the stack yet, but here is a little more info on me:

Height: 6'
Weight: 298lbs

For diet, I am a fairly clean eater, but I want to be able to give this trial total commitment, so I will be eating CLEAN, with a cheat day on Sundays.

My biggest gaol with this is to strengthen my legs and add size to them. I have bad knees due to football injuries, but I have been focusing on strict movement more than weight for them. I will also be really focusing on my forearm developement and hand strength. I have tried to all but eliminate the use of straps unless ABSOLUTELY neccessary.

This is my first log, so any veterans at doing this, please feel free to let me know if I should include something that I am not. I will be posting before pics this week as well as after when I am finished with the trial.

[Mr. ESPN]

Hopefully yours shows up soon . I'll be following along with you're log.

[WhirlyBird]

Looks good grape-ape. Can't wait to see you start. I think this one should be good. O yeah subbed

[donoh]

Looking good in here big man. Can't wait to see some workouts. Give it hell.

[grape-ape]

Well boys and girls...today was the day! Just as I was gettin ready for the gym, I heard that santa-like knock on the door and low and behold, The Fedex guy was holdin in his hands the best thing I've seen since the birth of my girls...A box with Universal on it! I greedily snatched the box up and brought it inside. Now the nitty-gritty:

Packaging - There is nothin better than the lovely black canisters filled with goodness.

Shock Therapy( Blue Raz)
First Impression 9/10: It smelled and looked very similar to the Blue Raz Superpump 250.

Mixability:9/10 - I used one scoop with about 12 ounces of water. After shaking for about 10-15 seconds, everything was pretty well dissolved. There were a few white flakes left at the bottom, but nothing to complain about.

Taste: 9/10 - Taste was very similar to Super Pump 250 for me as well. Not bad at all, very tolerable.

Effectiveness: 10/10 - I did not wait the full 30 minutes before hittin the gym, so it kicked in about 10 minutes, and when it did....Whoa! Being Sup free for almost a month definitely made a diff. I felt my heart rate kick up and on my last set of bench, the pump I had was insane! Felt like my chest was gonna split open. This is the real deal gents!


Intra-Aid (Blue Raz):

First Impression:9/10 - Smelled sweeter than the Shock Therapy and appearance was similar to ST. Very pleasant aroma.

Mixability: 10/10 - I mixed one scoop with 20 ounces of water and shook for about 10 seconds. Everything dissolved completely with no traces of granules at the bottom.

Taste: 10/10 - I could drink this stuff all the time! Very good taste with no funky aftertaste like I had with some other intra workout supps. Very smooth flavor.

Effectivness: 8/10 - I definitely felt a diff but not what I wanted, BUT the main problem with that was my nutrition for the day, which I will get to in a minute. I was able to recover faster though, only taking 20-30 seconds between sets instead of the 1-2 minutes like I normally do.

Torrent ( Green Apple):

First Impression: 10/10 - Upon crackin this open the aroma is very strong and mouth watering. Smell reminds me of CL's Green Mag. Couldn't wait to down this.

Mixability: 10/10 - I used the recommended 3 scoops with 20 ounces of water, shook for about 15 seconds and everything was completely dissolved.

Taste: 10/10 - IMO one of the best PWO powder I have tried yet. This stuff tastes like a green apple Jolly Rancher. Like the Intra, I could drink this all day long.


Here's the rub: Nutrition

I got yanked into a 6 hour meeting today, I was only able to eat 1 cup of oatmeal for breakfast with no lunch. about 1 hour before the gym, I had 1 cup of oats with a protein shake, but it was not enough. Had it not been for the Shock and Intra, I probably would not have made it through the workout. Strength was better than what I counted on though, which surprised me:

Chest:
Flat:
135x10, 225x10, 315x10, 365x5,405x2,225x15

Incline:
225x10,275x8,315x4, 365x3

cable flys:
75x10,90x10,110x10,150x8

decline:
225x10,275x8,315x6,315x6

Tri's:

Skull crushers:
75x10, 95x10,135x8, 135x8, 135x8

Pushdowns(elbows flared out):
150(stack)x20, 150x20,150x20

Rope:
100x10,120x10,150x10

Overhead extensions(one arm)
25x10,40x8,50x5

All in all it was a good workout, tomorrow I will be BRINGING all my food with me from room to room to make sure I get my protein on time. That's all for now boys and girls, tomorrow is a new day!

[Austin109]

insane weight! awesome workout bro! keep it up

[Mr. ESPN]

Taste: 10/10 - IMO one of the best PWO powder I have tried yet. This stuff tastes like a green apple Jolly Rancher. Like the Intra, I could drink this all day long.

Honestly I couldn't agree more. I actually enjoy the taste of this, and today found myself kind of dissapointed that it was an off day cause I was kinda craving it. It taste delicious, especially when it's ice cold.

[eixtc]

Originally Posted by Mr. ESPN

Honestly I couldn't agree more. I actually enjoy the taste of this, and today found myself kind of dissapointed that it was an off day cause I was kinda craving it. It taste delicious, especially when it's ice cold.

Only tasted a sample of it but DAMN! was it good ICE COLD. I decided to take a sample one night when I felt thirsty and was seriously bummed when I ran out and realized I didn't have more. haha.

[B Con]

Thanks for the initial feedback G. Nothing beats having the day of arrival for supplements. Like a kid on Christmas.

[ncangey0513]

great start! awesome weights you're pushing, too!

[grape-ape]

Alright gang,
Today was one heck of a day. I nailed my meals:
Cup of oatmeal for breakfast,
BP on wheat for snack,
3 chicken breasts with salsa for lunch
1/2 cup oats mixed with protein shake 1 hour before the gym

1/2 hour before the gym I took the Shock Therapy. I definitely noticed a huge difference today. about 20 minutes after taking it, I started to get the nervous(in a good way) energy.
Today was cardio day, so I mixed up my Intra-Aid, grabbed my Ipod and jump on the treadmill. Normally, I am NOT a big cardio lover, but today I did 30 minutes, at 4.2, with a 2 incline, and did not keel over at the end. I actually felt like I was ready for more.
After the treadmill, I did some warm up curls and pushdowns, to get the blood goin, feelin out my chest and tri's from yesterday. I was tender but not near as sore as I should have been, so I decided to do some "light" bench. I ended up doing:
Chest:
4 sets of 20 with 225 on flat
3 sets of 30 with 60 on the cable crossovers,
Tri's
6 sets of 20 pushdowns at an angle.

I had one of the best skin splittin pumps I have had in months. After finishing up, I eagerly mixed up my torrent and slammed it like a fat kid slurpin a chocolate shake and headed home. 30 minutes after arriving home, I ate 2 chicken breasts and 2 cups of rice. Almost two hours after working out, I still feel pumped and full.

Universal, so far I am more than impressed with this stack. Tomorrow will be the big test for me, BACK DAY! I normally do back until I get nautious, so we'll see how it goes, but I am definitely looking forward to it!

See you tomorrow gang!

PS. I will be posting pics tomorrow as well.

[Universal Rep]

Originally Posted by grape-ape

I had one of the best skin splittin pumps I have had in months. After finishing up, I eagerly mixed up my torrent and slammed it like a fat kid slurpin a chocolate shake and headed home. 30 minutes after arriving home, I ate 2 chicken breasts and 2 cups of rice. Almost two hours after working out, I still feel pumped and full.

Universal, so far I am more than impressed with this stack. Tomorrow will be the big test for me, BACK DAY! I normally do back until I get nautious, so we'll see how it goes, but I am definitely looking forward to it!

So... Do ya like the stack? Haha. Nice work, GA.... Crush it.

[grape-ape]

Wednesday: Back Day

I was able to get all my meals in again, so I was happy about that. Up to the workout it was:

1 cup oatmeal
1 BP sammy on multigrain
Turkey sub from Subway
1/2 cup oats/protein shake

I tried to mix it and put the ST in with some ice and threw it on the 'ol migic bullet. Not too bad, but the little bit at the end was a bit rough to get down. It seemed to separate the flakes from the mixture a little more than just adding water.

I started to sip the intra one the way to the gym. gettingmyself psych'd up for back day. I have felt that lately I was relying too much on straps and a belt for support, so I have tried to eliminate them from my training until ABSOLUTELY necessary. Here is the rundown:

Wide grip pulldowns:
170x20
190x14
220x10
250x10(stack)
250x10(stack)
170x20

Close grip pulldowns:
190x12
210x10
240x10
250x8
250x8

Seated Rows:
200x16
230x12
250x10
250x10

Bent over rows:
135x14
225x12
315x10
315x8
135xfailure(about 10.5)

At this point a normally get a little nautious. I was pleasantly surprised to feel like I was ready for more and not dreading the next exercise

Deadlifts: ( this is a new one for me. because of bad knees and not wanting to appear "weak" in the gym, I have avoided these with all my might in the past. But I have reached a point where it's "shut up and do it" fopr me, so the weight may not be a whole lot yet, but I WILL be soon.)

135x20
225x12
315x10
315x10
315x8

AT this point, my back so was pumped I looked like the kid from a Christmas Story " I can't put my arms down!"

Bi's:

Alternating standing curls:

45x15
55x12
65x10
75x8

Preacher curl:
80x10
90x10
100x8
100x8
90x6

Hammer curls:
70x10
80x8
90x6

Cable curls:

50x12
60x10
70x9
80x6

This was one of the best Back/bi's days I have had yet. I was a little dissappoointed with the deadlifts, but I gotta start somewhere. The Torrent is really a nice treat after the workout. ALthough I did get some BG's ( bubble guts) after the torrent tonight. About an hour after the torrent, I had 2 chicken breasts and 1.5 of brown rice. My back was definitely fried, so I crashed right after eating, which is why I had to update today.

Question to the REP's:
Todya is my day off. Should I take any of the supps on off days? and if so, how much?


Thanks in advance

[Universal Rep]

Originally Posted by grape-ape

Question to the REP's:
Todya is my day off. Should I take any of the supps on off days? and if so, how much?


Thanks in advance

Ya mean Shock, Intra-Aid or Torrent on off days? Nah. You're fine.

[WhirlyBird]

Damn what did you not do in the gym man? That is one hell of a workout.

[grape-ape]

I love doin back, nothin better than feeling your tris rubbin on your lats as you walk.

[illilian]

Holy crap, incredible workouts! You are my new motivation (no homo)

[grape-ape]

Thx bro...trust me I am in no shape to be anyone's motivation. I still need to get my cardio down to lean out this keg I got, but I'm gettin there.

[grape-ape]

My brutha's,

Yesterday was my day, and a much needed one at that. My back was ffrrriiieeedd. I stayed clean with the food, so I was happy about that. Today is shoulders day, so this should be a good one as well. I will post food and workout later today.

PEACE!

[grape-ape]

Yesterday was shoulders and arms day, but I got caught up at work late so I was rushed for time. I ran home slammed my oats and protein shake, waited a few minutes and slammed the ST. Tasted a little 'mediciny' today. I'm sure it was due to downing a protein shake right before. I mixed up my IntraAid, and put 3 scoops of the Cherry Berry Torrent(thank you Natural Guy) in a bag and hit the door. I only had about an hour before the gym closed, so I had to rush through the workout more than I would have like. All sets were done in fairly rapid succession:

Shoulder pressno spotters, so I used a machine instead of free weight)
160x20
180x16
200x13
220x12
250x10
250x8

Standing lateral raises:
32x16
47x12
57x9
57x8

laying rear raises:
37x10
37x10
37x10

upright rows:
105x12
135x10
155x8
155x8

seated lateral raises
37x8
37x8
37x8

Bi:
standing atl curls:
47x10(slow reps)
47x10(slow reps)
47x10(slow reps)

bent over concentration curls:
( I do these one arm after another, non stop)
32x10
32x10
32x8
32x8

Tri:
Pushdowns:
100x16
120x14
150x10
150x10

One arm overhead extensions:
25x12
30x10
35x8
35x8

I ran out of time at this point, but, due to the Intra, I felt I could have kept going. Here is the run down on the Cherry Torrent:

First Impression:
9/10 - Smell is reallly strong, almost overwhelming. Not unpleasant but definitely eye opening strong.

Mixability:
8/10 - This one took quite a while to mix up completely. I shook for a good 30 seconds and still had to shake every so often as I drank it.

Taste:
9/10 - Just like the Green Apple, this stuff is very tasty. Tastes alot like a cherry starburst. Going beyond the trial, I will be selling blood every month to make sure I can get this stuff!

My main concern at this point is the possibility of over-training with the Intra-Aid. So far, I have felt like I could keep going and going on this stuff. Not a hyper, jumping around energy, but a steady, energetic surge.

Today is the day that I have, to be honest, feared. Legs day. I have not done heavy legs since high school and the thought kinda makes me nuts. But I know that this is what has to be done to reach my goals, so I WILL do them. I WILL get bigger, stronger legs. There is other option. With the help of Universal(thank you again) , I will reach my potential.

[grape-ape]

Sorry about the delay in logging, had a hectic weekend with work.
Saturday was legs day. I Had some oat meal, waited roughly 30 minutes and grabbed my ST. This time I mixed it up right when I got up , put in some ice, and threw it in the freezer. I think this is the best for me. It tasted very smooth like this. I used 18 ounces of water as well, this is seems to be the sweet spot. After finishing the ST, I waited about 20 minutes and hit the door. I jumped on the treadmill for 10 minutes to get some blood goin to the legs and to get my mind right. Here is the run down of the workout, wan;t a whole lot because of it being the first time for squats in a vverrryyy long time.

Squats:
135x15
185x12
225x10
225x8
225x8
135x6

Leg Extensions:
100x10
120x10
120x10
120x8

Reverse Leg Extensions(one leg)
50x10
60x10
70x10
80x8

Lunges(BW)
20
20
20

my legs were fried at this point, so I crawled to the car and drove home. I sat in the shower and drank my torrent for about 45 minutes. finished up the day with some Ground turkey meatballs on wheat and protein pudding.

I can definitely say Sunday was um...fun. Every step I had to walk up reminded me of why I should not have waited so long to start doin legs again. It made an entertaining day for everyone around me though.


Today is Chest/Tris' again, so I am looking foward to gettin i there and seein how I feel. Will try to post later tonight.

[WhirlyBird]

Yeah those leg days can be a real bastard sometimes. I found that if I do legs once a week and walk/powerwalk/run or something during the week it keeps them nice and loose and really not that sore like I used to be.

I used to not be able to walk for a couple of days and they were so sore sometimes that even if my son touched them it felt like he was taking a spoon and stabbing me with it. I still can remember that painful feeling.

Still man one hell of a workout. Especially your shoulder day damn.

[grape-ape]

Monday: Jan 26
Split: Chest/Tri's


Flat BB bench:
135x15
225x10
315x8
365x4
315x6
225x10

Incline BB bench:
135x14
135x14
225x10
225x10
275x8

DB flys:

45x10
55x10
65x10
80x8

Cable fly:

50x20
60x12
70x10
70x10
50x16

Tri:

E-Z curl bar pushdown
100x20
120x16
150x12
150x10
150x10

Rope extensions:
80x10
90x10
100x10

One arm ext:
35x10
35x10
35x10


I was kind of disappointed with the pump I got that day. Most of the time I feel like I am in control of the weight, but I did not on Monday. Everything felt alot heavier than normal. I tried 2 scoops of the ST, in the same amount of water(16 ounces) , taste was not too bad...vvererrrryyy nice rush though. The IntraAid has become a nice smooth treat through the workout. I bring the Torrent with me to the gym and have had quite a few people inquire as to what it is. I let some people try small amounts poured in a cup and every single person is looking to purchase this so , once again, nice job on the torrent guys.

[grape-ape]

Tuesday: Jan 27
Split: Back/Bi's

Pullups:
BWx6
BWx3
BWx3

WG pulldowns:

170x15
190x13
250x10
250x10

BB rows:
135x15
225x12
275x10
135x15

Seated machine rows:

220x12
250x10
250x10

Cable pullovers
150x10
150x10
150x10
150x10
150x10
150x10
150x10

Bi:
Alt curl:
45x12
55x12
65x10

machine preacher
70x12
90x10
110x8

standing E-Z curl
75x10
75x10
75x10
75x10
75x10
75x10
75x10

I have always thought I was successful training by "instinct" , but I have never gotten the results I wanted. Since starting this trial, I am determined to change whatever is necessary to finally become what I have wanted to: nutrition, workout, schedule. I was reading though some of the other logs and saw that ncangey0513 and Naturalguy mentioned FST-7 training. I looked up this method and found it to be close to what I wanted accomplish(adding size/shape/strength to hard to grow areas). The above workout is one I got off of the website and found it to be both quicker than my old one as well as more grueling. I woke up this morning and my lats felt like they were still pumped from the night before. This training may be what I was after the entire time. We'll see, but so far so good.

[grape-ape]

Tuesday: Jan 27
Split: Back/Bi's

Pullups:
BWx6
BWx3
BWx3

WG pulldowns:

170x15
190x13
250x10
250x10

BB rows:
135x15
225x12
275x10
135x15

Seated machine rows:

220x12
250x10
250x10

Cable pullovers
150x10
150x10
150x10
150x10
150x10
150x10
150x10

Bi:
Alt curl:
45x12
55x12
65x10

machine preacher
70x12
90x10
110x8

standing E-Z curl
75x10
75x10
75x10
75x10
75x10
75x10
75x10

I have always thought I was successful training by "instinct" , but I have never gotten the results I wanted. Since starting this trial, I am determined to change whatever is necessary to finally become what I have wanted to: nutrition, workout, schedule. I was reading though some of the other logs and saw that ncangey0513 and Naturalguy mentioned FST-7 training. I looked up this method and found it to be close to what I wanted to accomplish(adding size/shape/strength to hard to grow areas). The above workout is one I got off of the website and found it to be both quicker than my old one as well as more grueling. I woke up this morning and my lats felt like they were still pumped from the night before. This training may be what I was after the entire time. We'll see, but so far so good.