A Martial Artist dives into Hell (SOLO HRT)

[huafist]

Week 2 - Thursday, 03/01/2012 ; Session III - Chest & Triceps

Since I was out to another office location this morning, I decided to take my lunch hour and hit the gym. Man I felt good today! Could definitely tell an improvement over last week in nearly every area. I'm liking this more and more as I go.
Here is today's rundown:

Decline Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/155lbs, 175lbs
Flat Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/185lbs
Incline Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/155lbs, 175lbs
Barbell Skull Crushers: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/65lbs
Seated Dumbbell Tricep Extensions: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/55lbs

Notes: I tried using the Smith machine to do the bench presses. Although I could move more weight (no fear of killing myself without a spotter), I found that I did not like the path that it made me travel, and I think it put extra stress on my shoulders. I simply can't do declines without a spotter I've found, as the way the bench sits, I can lift the weight, but can't move it out over the hooks. Fortunately, the other guys at the gym are more than willing to help a guy out with this. Triceps were on FIRE! By the time I finished, I felt like my tris were the size of tractor trailers lol.

Pre-Workout: 1 scoop Muscletech NaNoVapor
PWO: 42g protein shot, followed by a MRP for lunch (on the road).

[huafist]

Week 2 - Friday, 03/02/2012; Session IV - Back, Traps, Delts & Calves

Weekly weigh in: 175lbs (+2)

Wide-grip lat pulldown: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/80lbs
Seated Row: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/90lbs
T-Bar Row: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/115lbs
Barbell Shrug:2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/225lbs
Rear Delt Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/15lbs
Seated Calf Raise: x 8 + 6 Neg w/270lbs, 320lbs
Calf extensions on leg press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/450lbs

Notes: Definitely getting stronger. I have my weights pretty well dialed in now, and the workouts are getting more intense. Looking forward to week 3!

Pre-Workout: 1 scoop Muscletech NaNoVapor
PWO: 2 scoops body fortress protein (52g protein).

[huafist]

Week 3 - Monday, 03/05/2012; Session I - Shoulders & Arms

Seated Front Press: 2 x 8 + 6 w/95lbs
Dumbbell Side Lateral Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 w/20lbs
Barbell Front Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 w/45lbs
Barbell Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 w/55lbs
Reverse Barbell Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 w/55lbs, 45lbs
Reverse Barbell Wrist Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 w/25lbs
Barbell Wrist Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 w/45lbs

Notes: Felt great going into the Gym today, but wasn't really on "kill". Still, I felt like I had a good day. I hate working shoulders, make me feel like a wuss haha.

Pre-Workout: 1 scoop MuscleTech NaNoVapor
PWO: 2 scoops Protein (52g), with 2tbsp of Natural Peanut Butter, and 8 oz Almond Milk.

Macros: 2200kcal, 192g Protein, 80g Fat, 170g Carbs.

[huafist]

Week 3 - Tuesday, 03/06/2012; Session II - Quads & Hamstrings

Leg Press: 2 x 8 + 6 w/410lbs
Hack Squat: 2 x 8 + 6 w/230lbs, 180lbs
Leg Extension: 2 x 8 + 6 w/200lbs
SLDL: 2 x 8 6 w/ 185lbs
Lying Leg Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 w/160lbs

Notes: We have a hack squat rack now - and I am humbled haha. I the first set of hack squats, I used 230lbs like I had before, but form suffered greatly. 180 worked pretty well. Felt REALLY good during this workout, and my quads felt like tree trunks - I had to be careful walking when I left the gym haha.

Pre-Workout: 2 scoops MuscleTech NaNoVapor (trying to use this product up before I move on to something else)
PWO: 2 scoops Protein w/2 tbsp Natural Peanut Butter & 8 oz Almond Milk (450kcal, 60g P, 22.5g F, 38g C)

Macros: 2200kcal, 192g Protein, 80g Fat, 170g Carbs.

[huafist]

Week 3 - Thursday, 03/08/2012; Session III - Chest and Triceps

Decline Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/185lbs, 175lbs
Flat Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/155lbs
Incline Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/155lbs, 135lbs
Barbell Skull Crushers: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/65lbs, 55lbs
Seated Tricep Extension: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/55lbs, 65lbs

Notes: **** Jack3d. I decided to try it today. I felt great hitting the declines, but by the time I hit my 2nd set of inclines, I felt gassed. I literally hit failure on the 4th negative rep and had to have the spotter get the bar, and it got worse from there. I had to do inclines before flat, because the flat was occupied when I finished declines. My flat press suffered a lot; I couldn't get more than 3 reps of 185lbs before failure. I dropped back to 155, and it was VERY difficult, but I got it. I'll either go back to the NaNoVapor tomorrow, or maybe try C4 Extreme. I'm disgusted enough that I'll probably try to re-run Chest & Tris on Saturday.

Pre-Workout: 2 scoops Jack3d
PWO: 2 scoops Protein w/ 1/2cup of Oats, 1tbsp Olive Oil, & 8oz Almond Milk (570kcal, 58g P, 23g F, 49g C)

Macros: 2200kcal, 192g Protein, 80g Fat, 170g Carbs.

[huafist]

Had a really good cardio session at the kung fu school last night. This morning, I ordered the HRT stack from BB.com. The only reason I was willing to drop that much coin on something I've never tried is because I know the reputation Universal has for the Animal products. I can't wait to get started on it. Session IV to come later today, as I'm on-site at one of our offices waiting on a copier to be delivered right now.

[huafist]

Week 3 - Friday, 03/09/2012; Session IV - Back, Traps, Delts & Calves

Weekly weigh in: 173lbs (-2)

Wide-grip lat pulldown: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/80lbs
Seated Row: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/90lbs
T-Bar Row: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/140lbs
Barbell Shrug:2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/225lbs
Rear Delt Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/20lbs
Seated Calf Raise: x 8 + 6 Neg w/360lbs, 410lbs
Calf extensions on leg press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/450lbs

Notes: Felt GREAT today, although I hate doing back and traps haha. My rows and lat pulldowns are getting better, but I'm still not ready to move up in weight yet on them. I was surprised that I was able to move up to 20's on my rear delt raises, and my calf raises went up as well. I also did another calf set with a calf sled machine, and maxed it out at 400lbs haha. I used 2 scoops of C4 Extreme today, and it worked great - I'm looking forward to getting my Animal HRT stack next week so I can try Rage. Also considering moving my macros up to 2500kcal instead of 2200.

Pre-Workout: 2 scoops Cellucor C4 Extreme
PWO: 2 scoops Protein, 1/2 cup oats, 8 oz Almond Milk

Macros: 2200kcal, 192g P, 80g F, 170g C

[huafist]

Man, I've slacked this week haha.
Week 4 - Monday, 03/12/2012; Session I - Shoulders and Arms

Seated Front Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/95lbs
Dumbbell Side Lateral Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/20lbs
Barbell Front Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/45lbs
Barbell Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/55lbs
Reverse Barbell Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/55lbs
Reverse Barbell Wrist Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/25lbs
Barbell Wrist Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/45lbs

Notes: Workout felt good; I think I'll be able to raise the weight on the front press next week. I have to really watch shoulders due to an old rotator cuff injury, but it's ok.

Pre-Workout: 2 scoops Cellucor C4 Extreme
PWO: 2 scoops Protein

[huafist]

Week 4 - Tuesday, 03/13/2012; Session II - Quads & Hamstrings

Leg Press: 2 x 8 + 6 w/450lbs
Hack Squat: 2 x 8 + 6 w/180lbs
Leg Extension: 2 x 8 + 6 w/200lbs
SLDL: 2 x 8 6 w/ 185lbs
Lying Leg Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 w/160lbs

Notes: Legs is still brutal! Leg extensions & lying leg curls are a little easier this week ; I think I'll move weight up a tad next week. An hour of Kung fu after this REALLY hurt lol.

Pre-Workout: 2 scoops Cellucor C4 Extreme

PWO: 2 scoops Protein, 1/2 cup oats, 8oz Almond Milk.

[huafist]

Week 4 - Thursday, 03/15/2012 ; Session III - Chest & Triceps

Decline Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/185lbs
Flat Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/155lbs
Incline Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/155lbs
Barbell Skull Crushers: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/45lbs
Seated Dumbbell Tricep Extensions: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/60lbs

Notes: Today was my first experience with Animal Rage. I read the directions, and thought to myself "I've been taking 2 scoops of Jack3d, C4, etc ; this will be fine." I took 2 scoops ~25 minutes before my workout, and I realized two things:

1) Holy **** this stuff is strong!
and
2) 25 minutes is way too early to take for me ; I was feeling it in 10.

I LOVED this stuff during my workout. It felt great. I had a friend watch my skull crushers, and he noticed I was flaring my elbows on the way down with 65lbs. I moved back to 45, and was able to keep my form correct. I'll work my way on up slowly, making sure I keep my form correct. I can see visible changes in my body now, even though I'm not dropping weight as quickly.

[huafist]

For the record, I'm scaling back to 1 scoop of Rage haha ; I was still feeling it when I went to bed last night lol

[huafist]

Week 4 - Friday, 03/16/2012; Session IV - Back, Traps, Delts & Calves

Weekly weigh in: 172lbs (-1)

Wide-grip lat pulldown: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/90lbs,80lbs
Seated Row: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/90lbs
T-Bar Row: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/140lbs
Barbell Shrug:2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/225lbs
Rear Delt Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/20lbs
Seated Calf Raise: x 8 + 6 Neg w/450lbs
Calf extensions on leg press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/450lbs

Abs: 3 sets of decline situps (15 regular + 10 slow negative), 2 sets of 15 hanging knee pulls, 1 set of hanging leg lifts (legs straight, feet to the pullup bar).

Notes: Scaled back to one scoop of Rage 10 minutes or so before my workout, and that worked beautifully. Felt a little stronger on my pulldowns, so I upped the weight 10lbs on the first set. Had to move back to 80lbs for the second set, though. I think I can move my shrugs up next week to 250lbs, but I think I'm gonna need straps - my grip lets go before my traps do. By the time I finished abs, I was done for! I've been doing abs on Monday an Friday, but haven't been documenting it. Saw Rage doing it in his thread, so I decided to as well.

Pre-Workout: 1 scoop Rage
PWO: 2 scoops Protein (270kcal, 52g Protein)

One month in, progress pics!



Current Supplement stack:

[huafist]

Week 5 - Monday, 03/19/2012; Session I - Shoulders and Arms

Seated Front Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/115lbs (+20 from last week, used smith machine)
Dumbbell Side Lateral Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/20lbs
Barbell Front Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/45lbs
Barbell Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/60lbs (+5lbs)
Reverse Barbell Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/55lbs
Reverse Barbell Wrist Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/25lbs
Barbell Wrist Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/45lbs

Abs: 3 sets of 25 decline situps (15 + 10 Neg), 2 sets of hanging knee pulls, 1 set of hanging leg lifts (feet to hands).

Notes: Felt GREAT going in yesterday! Had good energy & focus throughout my workout - I didn't wanna leave to go back to work lol

Just to give everyone an idea of how far I've come, I took a pic this morning wearing a pair of pants that were getting tight on me back in Jan. 2011:

[huafist]

Week 5 - Tuesday, 03/20/2012; Session II - Quads & Hamstrings

Leg Press: 2 x 8 + 6 w/450lbs
Hack Squat: 2 x 8 + 6 w/185bs
Leg Extension: 2 x 8 + 6 w/220lbs
SLDL: 2 x 8 6 w/ 185lbs
Lying Leg Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 w/180lbs

Notes: Took two scoops of Rage 10 minutes before my workout today - holy **** I was ready to go! Had a really good session today, and I think I've talked one of the gym employees/trainers into diving into Hell haha. Also, I raised the weight on the leg extensions & lying leg curls this week. Hurt like hell. Kung Fu is gonna SUCK tonight lol.

Pre-Workout: 2 scoops Rage

PWO: 2 scoops Protein, 2tbsp Natural PB, 8oz Almond Milk.

[huafist]

Week 5 - Thursday, 03/22/2012 ; Session III - Chest & Triceps

Decline Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/185lbs
Flat Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/155lbs
Incline Bench Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/135lbs
Barbell Skull Crushers: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/45lbs
Seated Dumbbell Tricep Extensions: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/60lbs

Notes: I've pretty well talked another guy in the gym who works there into trying HRT ; as a result, I have a spotter now and I can push through until complete failure and not have to worry about how to get the weight off of me haha. I have also noticed that I can press more weight using the smith machine than free weights, and I suspect it's because my left arm gives out before my right, and when using the smith, I can push more with my right without tipping the bar over. I don't like "cheating" like that, so now that I have a spotter, I'm gonna do all of my flat and incline presses with free weights and drop the weight some (have always done my declines with free weights). My chest and tris are sore as **** today, also haha.

Pre-Workout: 1 scoop Rage
PWO: 2 scoops protein, 2tbsp Natural PB, 8oz Almond Milk.

[russ d]

Lookin good Keep up the good work!

[huafist]

Week 5 - Friday, 03/23/2012; Session IV - Back, Traps, Delts & Calves

Weekly weigh in: 169lbs (-3)

Wide-grip lat pulldown: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/90lbs
Seated Row: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/90lbs
T-Bar Row: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/155lbs
Barbell Shrug:2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/225lbs
Rear Delt Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/20lbs
Seated Calf Raise: x 8 + 6 Neg w/450lbs
Calf extensions on leg press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/450lbs

Abs: 3 sets of decline situps (15 regular + 10 slow negative), 2 sets of 15 hanging knee pulls, 1 set of hanging leg lifts (legs straight, feet to the pullup bar).

Notes: Weight goal exceeded 10 days early! My goal was 170lbs by April 1, so I'm really stoked! Had a really good session today. I found that during my shrugs, my grip was beginning to fail through my second set. I'm going to work on strengthening my grip, but in the meantime, I've picked up a set of lifting straps so I can concentrate completely on my traps and not worry about dropping the bar.

Pre-Workout: 1 scoop Rage
PWO: 2 scoops Protein, 2tbs PB, 8oz Almond Milk

[huafist]

Week 6 - Monday, 03/26/2012; Session I - Shoulders and Arms

Seated Front Press: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/115lbs (used smith machine)
Dumbbell Side Lateral Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/20lbs
Barbell Front Raise: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/45lbs
Barbell Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/60lbs
Reverse Barbell Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/55lbs
Reverse Barbell Wrist Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/25lbs
Barbell Wrist Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 Neg w/45lbs

Abs: 3 sets of 25 decline situps (15 + 10 Neg), 2 sets of hanging knee pulls, 1 set of hanging leg lifts (feet to hands).

Notes: Really stoked this week as it's the week of HRT solo comp selection, so I'm hitting it hard!

Pre-Workout: 1 scoop Rage.
PWO; 2 scoops protein, 2tbsp PB, 8oz 2% Milk

[huafist]

Week 6 - Tuesday, 03/27/2012; Session II - Quads & Hamstrings

Leg Press: 2 x 8 + 6 w/450lbs
Hack Squat: 2 x 8 + 6 w/185bs
Leg Extension: 2 x 8 + 6 w/220lbs
SLDL: 2 x 8 6 w/ 190lbs (+5lbs)
Lying Leg Curl: 2 x 8 + 6 w/180lbs

Notes: I was dying to get in the gym today ; couldn't wait! Legs are brutal as always, but they're actually one of my strong points.

Pre-Workout: 1 scoop Rage

PWO: 2 scoops Protein, 2tbsp Natural PB, 8oz Almond Milk.

[huafist]

Not sure what we'll do about this thread now ; I will be hitting the reset button now, as I was chosen for the second HRT solo competition! I'm stoked and ready to buckle down and kick some ass.

[ThatGalZoey]

Errr can HRT be done solo? I thought they were supposed to be in pairs because you're partner is the spotter?