The Official Stupid Question Thread

[wygdwicfy]

How wide should my benchpress grip be for SS?

Depends on your height. I feel most comfortable with my ring finger on the outside rings. You might want your pinky on them instead.

[Marc936]

How wide should my benchpress grip be for SS?

22-28" depending on your frame.

[Leeds001]

Quick question... so people say that ****types are a myth but surely you cant argue that body composition (height/width ect.) plays a huge part in how thin someone can look?

[jarekd1234]

Quick question... so people say that ****types are a myth but surely you cant argue that body composition (height/width ect.) plays a huge part in how thin someone can look?

ectomorphs dont eat enough
endomorphs eat too much
mesomorph idk

they are a myth

[Leeds001]

ectomorphs dont eat enough
endomorphs eat too much
mesomorph idk

they are a myth

however some peoples physical build lends itself to looking thin

[Strength.Honor]

however some peoples physical build lends itself to looking thin

It's bone structure/frame.

[Supreme617]

1) How would I know when I stalled?
2)If I burn off 200 cals from running around a track field and then later on that I eat something thats over 200 cals, will I gain fat or will I just gain the cals back that I lost??
3) Whats the difference between power and strength?

[Strength.Honor]

1) How would I know when I stalled?
2)If I burn off 200 cals from running around a track field and then later on that I eat something thats over 200 cals, will I gain fat or will I just gain the cals back that I lost??
3) Whats the difference between power and strength?

When you don't up the weight or reps in 2-3 consecutive workouts. That is when you need to make a change whether it be your rest time, your eating, or lastly your workout.

It really depends in how much you go over your total maintenance cals for the day. It could go either way.

Power = explosion. Strength = slow and steady for low reps.

[wygdwicfy]

ectomorphs dont eat enough
endomorphs eat too much
mesomorph idk

they are a myth

I completely disagree.

[Strength.Honor]

I completely disagree.

As do I to an extent.

[geoffreytracy]

I'm new to this site, and hope I found the right place to ask a stupid question :P

In terms of bodybuilding (gaining mass), is it generally recommended to lift heavy as possible-- while doing a solid 6-8 reps with good if not perfect form?

I ask this, because I'm doing this new method, where I go to the gym once a week for my arm day (Bi's and Tri's) and when I curl, I curl about 100 pounds with an EZ-curl bar. I started this method about a few weeks ago, and each time I go for arm day, I add 10 pounds (5 lbs per side) each time (once a week).

Does this sound like a good idea? Or is lifting this much for an 18 yearold that's 6'3 sound dangerous?

I just want bigger arms, and I figured since I could do a clean 8~ reps with good form, it would allow my biceps to break through a plateue and get bigger.

I do notice I'm sore the day after, since I'm upping the weight, but I obviously won't be able to continue this 10 lbs. increase every week, because it will eventually become too heavy.

Sorry if this post is too long and/or confusing. Any ideas though?

Thank you all

Oh and I weigh about 180 lbs.

[wygdwicfy]

I'm new to this site, and hope I found the right place to ask a stupid question :P

In terms of bodybuilding (gaining mass), is it generally recommended to lift heavy as possible-- while doing a solid 6-8 reps with good if not perfect form?

I ask this, because I'm doing this new method, where I go to the gym once a week for my arm day (Bi's and Tri's) and when I curl, I curl about 100 pounds with an EZ-curl bar. I started this method about a few weeks ago, and each time I go for arm day, I add 10 pounds (5 lbs per side) each time (once a week).

Does this sound like a good idea? Or is lifting this much for an 18 yearold that's 6'3 sound dangerous?

I just want bigger arms, and I figured since I could do a clean 8~ reps with good form, it would allow my biceps to break through a plateue and get bigger.

I do notice I'm sore the day after, since I'm upping the weight, but I obviously won't be able to continue this 10 lbs. increase every week, because it will eventually become too heavy.

Sorry if this post is too long and/or confusing. Any ideas though?

Thank you all

Oh and I weigh about 180 lbs.

Mass rep schemes tend to be in the range of 8-15.
I dont think there is such a thing as using a "dangerous amount of weight" if you can maintain perfect form.

Hope youre working the whole body and not just your arms.

[geoffreytracy]

One other quick (dumb) question hehe..

Why does everyone seem to block their face out of their pictures? I don't see why everyone seems to do it!

[N4J4R]

One other quick (dumb) question hehe..

Why does everyone seem to block their face out of their pictures? I don't see why everyone seems to do it!

Mainly for privacy issues I'd assume. Might not make sense to some, but to others (the actual user whose photo it is), it does. Doesn't worry me haha
Hope this helps

[wygdwicfy]

One other quick (dumb) question hehe..

Why does everyone seem to block their face out of their pictures? I don't see why everyone seems to do it!

Can help one to look like they're not a douchbag.

[morandop1]

I have a few questions about my program. I am just going to get started and was wondering if barbels can be substituted with the dumbbell exercises. Also, whenever i start school again, I will not be able to eat other than my lunch period because food isnt allowed. What can I do?

Also, with my plan that was selected, do i just repeat the workouts week after week?

[N4J4R]

I have a few questions about my program. I am just going to get started and was wondering if barbels can be substituted with the dumbbell exercises. Also, whenever i start school again, I will not be able to eat other than my lunch period because food isnt allowed. What can I do?

Also, with my plan that was selected, do i just repeat the workouts week after week?

Too easy, bro!
Yes, some barbell exercises can be substituted for dumbbell ones like bench, calf raises, shoulder press, bent over rows, lunges etc etc. IMO, try to use a barbell for things like squats and deadlifts though, especially on deads.

As for the food 'problem'...Pack a more calorie dense lunch
Meal timing is essentially irrelevant so you don't have to eat every 2-3 hours especially if it doesn't fit your daily schedule.
Bring things like: homemade pasta or rice with chicken or tuna, tuna, turkey or chicken*sandwiches, some fruit (dates are quite calorie dense), nuts (almonds ftw). Maybe even make a weight gainer shake with oats, fruit, full cream milk, protein powder and whatever else you may want, the night before. Chuck it all in a pre-chilled thermos and take it out of the fridge in the morning before school. You may need to give it a quick shake before use, but It should be good to go!

As for your current workout plan, I'd suggest posting it here so we know what you're doing to give some better insight I'd assume you repeat the workouts each week as most routines seem to...*

Example (bad example, I know! lol):
week 1
Mon: training back/biceps
Wed: training legs/abs
Fri: training chest/triceps/shoulders

Week 2
Mon: training back/biceps
Wed: training legs/abs
Fri: training chest/triceps/shoulders

Hope this helps, brah

[kairouzj]

SS is called Starting Strength, its a workout program rolled out by Mark Ripptoe. For more details i'm sure there is a sticky for that.

cheers bro

[HeavyMetalLover]

Incoming stupid question.

Are there any differences between tofu, taufu and tauhu? lol.

[N4J4R]

Incoming stupid question.

Are there any differences between tofu, taufu and tauhu? lol.

Pretty sure Taufu is some sort of soy bean custard (from memory) and Tauhu is fried tofu if I'm not mistaken?
Seem to be pretty similar, I suppose. Sorry if this doesn't quite answer your question! Not very big on tofu, myself lol

[HeavyMetalLover]

Pretty sure Taufu is some sort of soy bean custard (from memory) and Tauhu is fried tofu if I'm not mistaken?
Seem to be pretty similar, I suppose. Sorry if this doesn't quite answer your question! Not very big on tofu, myself lol

It's okay, those 2 stuffs are really confusing anyway

[Ardhimas]

Stupid question: Will you make strength gains while cutting, even if you lose a bit of muscle mass?

[N4J4R]

Stupid question: Will you make strength gains while cutting, even if you lose a bit of muscle mass?

Not a stupid question at all
It IS possible to make or retain (to an extent) some strength gains whilst on a cut. Most people tend to recommend sticking to a strength program whilst on a cut. Obviously, you'll make better strength gains on a bulk, though.
Hope this helps, bro!

[Power_Strike92]

Stupid question: Will you make strength gains while cutting, even if you lose a bit of muscle mass?

Imo it varys from person to person. When I was cutting I was gaining strength every week. It also depends on your nutritional intake, I lowered my carbs and lost a great amount of strength, but when I added more I was gaining strength.

[Ardhimas]

Not a stupid question at all
It IS possible to make or retain (to an extent) some strength gains whilst on a cut. Most people tend to recommend sticking to a strength program whilst on a cut. Obviously, you'll make better strength gains on a bulk, though.
Hope this helps, bro!

Thanks a bunch. What kind of strength program do you mean? Madcows/SS or is there a split strength program?

Is this something a novice should be worrying about? I've only been lifting for 6 weeks now. I plan to start a cut on November/December depending on how long it takes until I get too fat.

Imo it varys from person to person. When I was cutting I was gaining strength every week. It also depends on your nutritional intake, I lowered my carbs and lost a great amount of strength, but when I added more I was gaining strength.

Thanks, so did you increase your caloric intake or did you replace another source of calories with carbs?

[Strength.Honor]

Thanks a bunch. What kind of strength program do you mean? Madcows/SS or is there a split strength program?

Is this something a novice should be worrying about? I've only been lifting for 6 weeks now. I plan to start a cut on November/December depending on how long it takes until I get too fat.


Thanks, so did you increase your caloric intake or did you replace another source of calories with carbs?

For only being 6 weeks in, I would look into SS if you are not already doing it, if your lifts are decent you could try Madcows or 5/3/1. For being a beginner, I would definitely not do a split, as you can grow with more frequency and your strength will shoot up a lot faster when using a full body/strength program.

Why do you want to cut after only 6 weeks of lifting? How high is your body fat % now?

And since he said he was cutting, I'd assume he did not increase his calories, but rather lowered fat and added in more carbs to equal the same amount of calories.

[Ardhimas]

For only being 6 weeks in, I would look into SS if you are not already doing it, if your lifts are decent you could try Madcows or 5/3/1. For being a beginner, I would definitely not do a split, as you can grow with more frequency and your strength will shoot up a lot faster when using a full body/strength program.

Why do you want to cut after only 6 weeks of lifting? How high is your body fat % now?

And since he said he was cutting, I'd assume he did not increase his calories, but rather lowered fat and added in more carbs to equal the same amount of calories.

I started with SS for a week then I read five hundred guys saying SS will get me strong but fat.

I said I'm planning on cutting around November/December. I'll be 4-5 months on a bulk by then.

He didn't specify exactly what he did, so I was curious if he lowered something else and increased carbs, or increased his caloric intake in general to cut slower but not lose as much progress.

[Strength.Honor]

I started with SS for a week then I read five hundred guys saying SS will get me strong but fat.

I said I'm planning on cutting around November/December. I'll be 4-5 months on a bulk by then.

He didn't specify exactly what he did, so I was curious if he lowered something else and increased carbs, or increased his caloric intake in general to cut slower but not lose as much progress.

No workout routine makes you fat. The caloric surplus you intake makes you fat.

Cut when you get near 18% body fat, that's the best IMO.

I doubt he upped his calories to cut slower. He most likely just re-arranged his macros.*

[Marc936]

This thread has slowed down a lot.......

PS damn your rep jumps SH, not fair

[Strength.Honor]

This thread has slowed down a lot.......

PS damn your rep jumps SH, not fair

hehe 4k by end of the month...maybe