After Madcow Intermediate

PumaKrieg · 05-07-2009, 03:29 PM

Im probably going to stall soon on madcow intermediate so i just wanted to know what to do next

Should i do something like HST for a month and a change of pace THEN try madcow advanced?

Should i do something like Max OT then do madcow advanced?

Should i do something entirely different?

Note: I am going to start cutting weight after im done with Intermediate probably in 2-3 weeks, so keep that in mind. Also, I am looking to gain muscle and strength, rather then single out one, although if i had to choose i would go the strength route.

Thanks!

dopamine72 · 05-07-2009, 04:18 PM

make sure you don't finish too early, If you are not able to add weight on the majority of your exercises for around 2 weeks then stop. I personaly would do a completely different routine for a while to keep the body guessing. Then maybe later go back to the 5x5 routine if it worked well for you. How well did it work anyways?

Is it really time for you to cut? Whats your BF? I have been on a 8 month bulk and still can see my upper 4 abs flexed so I'm going to keep on going. I think its bad to cut often because it slows down the muscle building process. But if you have around 15-16% or more then start.

PumaKrieg · 05-07-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dopamine72

make sure you don't finish too early, If you are not able to add weight on the majority of your exercises for around 2 weeks then stop. I personaly would do a completely different routine for a while to keep the body guessing. Then maybe later go back to the 5x5 routine if it worked well for you. How well did it work anyways?

Is it really time for you to cut? Whats your BF? I have been on a 8 month bulk and still can see my upper 4 abs flexed so I'm going to keep on going. I think its bad to cut often because it slows down the muscle building process. But if you have around 15-16% or more then start.

i can JUST barely see the top 4 abs (as in barely any definition just lines when flexed)

I started this bulk at the low 140s with 6 pack and now im high 170s/low 180s. I definently added fat, probably about 17-18% when i was 8-11 before.

As far as results thus far, im on week 8 (friday being the last one) and it seems like i can go up indefinently on deads but my squat has already seemed to have stalled (feels SO heavy and hurts a lot, the negative portion doesn't feel smooth), i doubt ill get my OH press next week. So overall, im very happy with the dead and bench results, the OH has been okay and squat has been disappointing to be honest, i think i do something wrong on squats and will likely post videos soon.

jgrube · 05-07-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PumaKrieg

i can JUST barely see the top 4 abs (as in barely any definition just lines when flexed)

I started this bulk at the low 140s with 6 pack and now im high 170s/low 180s. I definently added fat, probably about 17-18% when i was 8-11 before.

As far as results thus far, im on week 8 (friday being the last one) and it seems like i can go up indefinently on deads but my squat has already seemed to have stalled (feels SO heavy and hurts a lot, the negative portion doesn't feel smooth), i doubt ill get my OH press next week. So overall, im very happy with the dead and bench results, the OH has been okay and squat has been disappointing to be honest, i think i do something wrong on squats and will likely post videos soon.

reset your squats. take it 20% down and advance from there. i can almost guarantee that it will work for you.

UNLESS your real problem lies with form or nutrition/rest. which you said u dont think it does.

PumaKrieg · 05-07-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgrube

reset your squats. take it 20% down and advance from there. i can almost guarantee that it will work for you.

UNLESS your real problem lies with form or nutrition/rest. which you said u dont think it does.

i think i might have a squat form problem (i go parallel if not lower) but some of my friends say im not straight when i do it, as in my back is stretched one way or the other.

I don't get A LOT of sleep, about 5-9 hours depending upon the day, but right now im all out bulking so nutrition isnt a problem.

jgrube · 05-07-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PumaKrieg

i think i might have a squat form problem (i go parallel if not lower) but some of my friends say im not straight when i do it, as in my back is stretched one way or the other.

I don't get A LOT of sleep, about 5-9 hours depending upon the day, but right now im all out bulking so nutrition isnt a problem.

simple solution. lower the weight and use the valsava maneuver (a breathing method.. google it). also make a conscientious effort to keep your back straight

dopamine72 · 05-07-2009, 08:53 PM

yeah if its only your squats that are stalling, reset that like said above. You got to milk this program to the last drop. Then once you stall on the majority of the lifts I would start a slow cut trying to not loose any muscle, good luck bro.

Darkmind · 05-07-2009, 09:35 PM

If your back is the problem, first make sure you're looking forward or slightly up. When you go down, and are about to come back up, drive your neck into the bar, push knees out slightly (if you have a problem with your legs bowing in, but I find pushing my knees out slightly helps activate my glutes more to get out of the hole), and drive your feet into the ground. You might want to reset your squat though and work on form first.