Ask a teen who's been lifting for almost 3 years anything

[JohnnyOhhh]

Age: 18

Lifting experience: around 3 years, since junior year

Powerlifter or bodybuilder?: both, but with an emphasis on low-rep, heavy training

Weight: maintaining around 160; started out at 130, was at 175 at one point (winter of senior year)

Bodyfat: 10% currently; slowly dropping

Diet: Intermittent fasting (1-2 meals a day, eaten in an 8 hour block from afternoon to evening

Best lifts: Bench: 235 x 1, 100 db's x 3; Deadlift: 410 x 1; Squat (atg): 245 x 3; Barbell Overhead Press: 155 x 3, 75 db's x 5; Hang clean: 205 x 1; Pullups: 23 BW, +55 lbs x 8; Dips: 30 BW, +90 lbs x 8





I used to hang around the teen forums quite a bit in high school. I'm a freshman in college now so I don't have as much time to misc/piss away time in the wasteland that is much of bbing.com, but I thought I'd come back and share some things I've learned along the way. I'm not huge nor am I massively strong, I'm just your average bro who started off weak as fuk and wanted to get both bigger and stronger. I've come a long ass way and learned a lot, in particular I've learned not to trust everything you read- i know every trainer and his brother says this, but everybody is very different and you have to learn what works for you. That said, I'll offer up some quality advice to anyone who'll listen.

As for my background, I started off for pure aesthetic purposes. Got a bit chunky and at one point I was 175 lbs, a bit too large for my frame IMO. Got back down to 160 where I am now, mainly working on increasing strength as opposed to just size. I incorporate a lot of bodyweight and Olympic lifts because I think they work to build a more athletic, functional looking physique as opposed to simply being big and blocky. I've been eating around maintenance for the last year and a half while training hard (5-7 days a week: 4-5 heavy workouts, the rest are light workouts with mainly bodyweight exercises). Been intermittent fasting for about a year, and I love it. Getting gradually leaner while not having to worry about eating during the day and pigging out at dinner.

inb4 tl;dr...any questions, shoot!

edit: previous log here: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=135029251

[spiderman997]

3 years to get a 245x3 squat
why would I listen to what you say?

[comps]

3 years to get a 245x3 squat
why would I listen to what you say?

This.

You look pretty good OP.
For 3 years though... not so much.

[comps]

It is easy as phuck to get a 300+ lb squat in a few months.

[Gaate]

It is easy as phuck to get a 300+ lb squat in a few months.

Don't be an ass.

One of your 'unaccomplished goals' says squat 315.
Don't judge others for where they are.

[spiderman997]

One of your 'unaccomplished goals' says squat 315.

x5*

[dblock548]

3 years to get a 245x3 squat
why would I listen to what you say?

I agree, I squat that at age 15 weighing 145

[XxxOneMoRepxxX]

Don't be an ass.

One of your 'unaccomplished goals' says squat 315.
Don't judge others on something you cant do yet.

hIs goal says 315x5 squat. He will be repping it, not a max out. And 300lbs isnt 315....

[Gaate]

hIs goal says 315x5 squat. He will be repping it, not a max out. And 300lbs isnt 315....

I know, I was just saying, clearly he isn't a weightlifting god either. This guy put himself out there to try to help people, even if he isn't super qualified, there's no reason to try to make him feel bad about himself.

[comps]

I know, I was just saying, clearly he isn't a weightlifting god either. This guy put himself out there to try to help people, even if he isn't super qualified, there's no reason to try to make him feel bad about himself.

I'm not a weightlifting god at all.
I have wasted a fair amount of time and I know that. I've been training for only a year though, and I will most likely hit 400 before my second year of training is done.

Op's strength progression is slow and I would like to hear an explanation for it.

[XxxOneMoRepxxX]

I know, I was just saying, clearly he isn't a weightlifting god either. This guy put himself out there to try to help people, even if he isn't super qualified, there's no reason to try to make him feel bad about himself.

otay

[XxxOneMoRepxxX]

I'm not a weightlifting god at all.
I have wasted a fair amount of time and I know that. I've been training for only a year though, and I will most likely hit 400 before my second year of training is done.

Op's strength progression is slow and I would like to hear an explanation for it.

Subbed for answer. OP you got some explaining to do.

[Betheas]

I'm not a weightlifting god at all.
I have wasted a fair amount of time and I know that. I've been training for only a year though, and I will most likely hit 400 before my second year of training is done.

Op's strength progression is slow and I would like to hear an explanation for it.

Im with this guy.

[JohnnyOhhh]

I know my squat is terrible. I've been working on it very intermittently for about year, but it hasn't seemed to improve much. Keep in mind that they are ATG (real atg...ass to calves) so they would naturally be lower. I would estimate my parallel squat to be about 275 for reps.

Anyhow, that doesn't explain why my squat is so low...honestly, I just hate squatting. It may be 'king' of lifts to some, but not to me. Having big legs and ass was never one of my goals, so I've never tried to bring up my squat specifically. A huge part of the reason that I train is because I enjoy it, not because I think I have to do it. Also, I've been eating around maintenance for a long time, not exactly conducive to squat gains.

Guys, you're all missing the point. I never claimed to be some training guru...I'm just an average kid who loves to train. Could I have made better gains? Absolutely- but in the end, it's all about how long you stay in the game, not how fast you start out. I love training and will most likely continue training for the rest of my life...I'm in no hurry to maximize my gains. I'm comfortable with the way I look right now, so I don't need the added stress of thinking about "oh ****, if I do this, I'll make 25% more gains". I'm serious about lifting, but I'm not anal.

Anyways, if anyone wants some decent advice, ask for it. Don't turn this into a pissing match, because idgaf about anyone's stats. Bottom line is, I've been around the block a few times when it comes to lifting, and there is a lot I can offer in the way of practical wisdom, especially to newbies. I may not be even close to the biggest or the strongest, but I've done pretty well for myself. I didn't make this thread to satisfy my ego.

[crosmanboy]

Have you been thorugh multiple cut/bulk cycles?

[JohnnyOhhh]

Have you been thorugh multiple cut/bulk cycles?

Yes, and they were all retarded. Brb, gaining 20 lbs and getting chubby just to cut a few months later and be right back down to where I started.

I much prefer eating at maintenance (maybe slightly above if you particularly want to add mass) and taking it slow. Intermittent fasting works great for this type of strategy.

edit: going to class for a few hours, I'll be back. I just hope this thread doesn't turn into yet another bbing.com ****show.

[crosmanboy]

Class? Im on spring break

[pagii]

raped...just because op is close to my size and gives good idea where ill be when i cut

nice tho

[spiderman997]

Yes, and they were all retarded. Brb, gaining 20 lbs and getting chubby just to cut a few months later and be right back down to where I started.

Eating a calorie surplus is retarded now? Say goodnight to any credibility you had.

[Jericoe]

Your lifts are pretty low for 3 years of training, but your hang clean is pretty good

[TebowFan15]

Do you have a sandwich named after you? If not, what would the sandwich name be?

[7399martyn]

it's all about how long you stay in the game, not how fast you start out.

so working out 1-2 a week intermittently for 10 years is better than dedicating a few years training seriously?

you said you incorporated a lot of olympic lifts, yet you only hang clean 205, is this a joke?

245x3 squat, tsk tsk. get your sh*t together OP and take yourself more seriously so other will.

[wwe101]

Guys, don't be ****s.

OP maybe wants aesthetics > strength.

He is in better shape than half the people on this thread anyway.

[gangstamuzik]

lol, you guys are d'icks.
he didn't brag about his damn lifts to anyone, he's just trying to help people out.
gtfo fgts

[7399martyn]

we're trying to help him by figuring out what he did wrong.

[Jericoe]

lol, you guys are d'icks.
he didn't brag about his damn lifts to anyone, he's just trying to help people out.
gtfo fgts

Well thats the thing, all the veteran lifters on here dont want someone with low lifts thats been working out for a while giving out advice when he doesnt have great results to back it up.

[comps]

Guys, don't be ****s.

OP maybe wants aesthetics > strength.

He is in better shape than half the people on this thread anyway.

"In better shape"

He might be leaner than a fair amount of people here, but he definitely has less mass. So when you say "in shape" what are you trying to say? His conditioning is better? He is stronger? His bf% is lower?

[jd007914]

3 years to get a 245x3 squat
why would I listen to what you say?

This^

OP you do look great man! But as far as numbers, I've been lifting 8 months and am already benching 215 (which isn't that great). Whereas you have been lifting 3 YEARS and only put up 235? It's not even like your weight is very low. You're still a big kid.

[Jericoe]

we're trying to help him by figuring out what he did wrong.

It probably had to do with his diet and his fear of going over 175lbs. He was probably barely eating in fear of gaining fat.


also, mirin' deadlift to weight ratio.

[spiderman997]

edit: going to class for a few hours, I'll be back. I just hope this thread doesn't turn into yet another bbing.com ****show.

OP is a wizard