Old Man - Keepin' it going

[ljimd]

Wednesday 9/24/14 Bwt 179.2

OHP

barx5
95x5
115x3
125x5,5,5

Wide grip DOH rack pulls

135x5
185x3
225x5,5,5

Bentover rear laterals - 10# plates

10,10,10

CGBP

135x5
165x5,5,5

Incline db hammer curls

25x10,10,10

Not much new. Got some work in. Was dabbling with a cut for a few days but my
heart isn't in it right now. Kinda enjoying the little bit of size I've been able to put
back on. 4 pack for the win!!!!!

[ljimd]

Friday 9/26 Bwt 181.4

Squats

barx5
135x5
185x5,5,5

Bench press

135x5
185x5,5,5

Deadlift

135x5
185x5
205x5,5,5

E-z bar skullz

90x5,5,5

BB curls

70x5
80x5
90x5

Squats - set up my box at 2" below parallel and paused touching the
box. This slow deliberate cadence was kinda tough.

Bench - paused reps.

Deads - reset for form on all reps.

Mostly light form work today.

[EjnarKolinkar]

Yeah, sometimes cutting is overrated lol.

Good to see the steady work in here though

[fittofattofit]

Not much new. Got some work in. Was dabbling with a cut for a few days but my
heart isn't in it right now. Kinda enjoying the little bit of size I've been able to put
back on. 4 pack for the win!!!!!

Well 178-180 looks good on you and there's nothing wrong with a 4 pack ... most guys of any age are carrying a keg

How are your joints faring now that you're back doing the heavy squats, OHPs and benching after your rest weeks?
Strong lifting in all of your workouts Larry

[HoustonTXMuscle]

Agree with fittofattofit, much prefer to have a solid 4 pack with nice obliques. At least that way one doesn't have to deal with remarks regarding being too skinny which seems to happen every time that I lean out. Still envious of your E-z bar skullz; as much as I work triceps it bugs me that I can't get over 3 sets of 5 with 80's.

[mirroroferised]

When I get a 4 pack I'll probably never wear a shirt again lol

[ljimd]

Yeah, sometimes cutting is overrated lol.

Good to see the steady work in here though

Thanx Robert.

Had a little convo with myself this weekend about the cutting. Me and "the self" concluded that the search for size and strength has been a pretty convenient cover for letting the b/f get a tad out of hand. As much as I hate to admit it, I think at this stage of my training career I've got 'bout all I'm gonna get. The cut is back on the table.

Well 178-180 looks good on you and there's nothing wrong with a 4 pack ... most guys of any age are carrying a keg

How are your joints faring now that you're back doing the heavy squats, OHPs and benching after your rest weeks?
Strong lifting in all of your workouts Larry

Ran across Bill Starr's Strength Training for the Ageless Athlete this weekend that has me rethinking my training going forward. All the heavy pounding over the years has taken a toll. And as I told Robert ^^^, not sure how much is left in the tank.

Agree with fittofattofit, much prefer to have a solid 4 pack with nice obliques. At least that way one doesn't have to deal with remarks regarding being too skinny which seems to happen every time that I lean out. Still envious of your E-z bar skullz; as much as I work triceps it bugs me that I can't get over 3 sets of 5 with 80's.

You know Bob, the majority of the comments I got after winning my class in '11 were, "damn man, you been sick? You're so skinny." Go figure.

When I get a 4 pack I'll probably never wear a shirt again lol

Yes you will. When your bodyfat gets low, you're cold all the time.

[Lou1se]

Oh lawd. Took a week off to rest my joints and it felt so good I took
another one.

Oh you!




Life has been hectic my way so I've been busily observing the way a body atrophies. It's surprisingly slow but strength drops off mighty fast. Legs go faster than arms and fat displaces into those blasted areas you fought so hard to shift. In the end you become a small blob. Thinking back I remember reading and was told by a few here, that once the waist thickens from deads, those thick oblique muscles won't wither away. DO NOT believe them Larry!!!! This is a lie. Oh and ribs are not a good look at all..


Carry on

[ljimd]

Oh you!




Life has been hectic my way so I've been busily observing the way a body atrophies. It's surprisingly slow but strength drops off mighty fast. Legs go faster than arms and fat displaces into those blasted areas you fought so hard to shift. In the end you become a small blob. Thinking back I remember reading and was told by a few here, that once the waist thickens from deads, those thick oblique muscles won't wither away. DO NOT believe them Larry!!!! This is a lie. Oh and ribs are not a good look at all..


Carry on

Hi Lou. Long time no see.

I had to laugh at the oblique comment. (I instinctively grabbed the roll of fat hiding mine)



Monday 10/10/14 Bwt 179.4

Chest/delts/tri's


Bench press

135x5
185x5,5,5

Db flys

25x8,8

OHP

95x5
115x5,5,5

Db laterals

15x8,8

E-z bar skullz

90x7,7,7

1 arm tricep press downs(Pakulski style)

15x8,8,8


W/o's have been spotty for a few weeks. A one week layoff morphed
into 2 and then last week I lost my brother. Trying to get things back on
track.

[fittofattofit]

Had a little convo with myself this weekend about the cutting. Me and "the self" concluded that the search for size and strength has been a pretty convenient cover for letting the b/f get a tad out of hand. As much as I hate to admit it, I think at this stage of my training career I've got 'bout all I'm gonna get. The cut is back on the table.



Ran across Bill Starr's Strength Training for the Ageless Athlete this weekend that has me rethinking my training going forward. All the heavy pounding over the years has taken a toll. And as I told Robert ^^^, not sure how much is left in the tank.

What is the gist of Bill Starr's book: does he propose shifting to lower weights/more volume as you get older or something else? There are plenty of very strong guys in their 70s so it's nice to assume that you can still gain strength and therefore size but our connective tissue has to be the barrier to going heavy. Still strong lifts today
Sorry to hear about your brother. Was it unexpected?

[Lou1se]

I had to laugh at the oblique comment. (I instinctively grabbed the roll of fat hiding mine)

pfft.


You always come back for the iron. Nice work above.

And I'm very sorry to hear of your brother's passing. My thoughts are with you and the family.

[ljimd]

What is the gist of Bill Starr's book: does he propose shifting to lower weights/more volume as you get older or something else? There are plenty of very strong guys in their 70s so it's nice to assume that you can still gain strength and therefore size but our connective tissue has to be the barrier to going heavy. Still strong lifts today
Sorry to hear about your brother. Was it unexpected?

Yes, he says the wear and tear on joints and connective tissue should not be overlooked to the point of further damage. Not sure I agree with all he espouses as to increased frequency and lighter weight/higher reps, even though I've been doing some of that. As a matter of fact, today's workout was just that. Didn't feel as satisfied post w/o though. I'll probably go back to my regular progressions, but today I did give in to some achy spots.

My brother's passing was totally unexpected but he was hypertensive and a smoker and had given up training some years ago. Thanks for your thoughts.

pfft.


You always come back for the iron. Nice work above.

And I'm very sorry to hear of your brother's passing. My thoughts are with you and the family.

I always come back because I suppose I don't know any better. Beside jacked old geezers get the best gawkers at the doctor's office. Hehehe!!!

Thanks for your thoughts on my brother's passing.




Monday 10/13/14 Bwt 179.4


Squats

135x10,10,10

Db floor press (with a twist and squeeze)

40x12,12,12

Chest supported rows

115x12,12,12

OHP

85x12,12,12

BB curls

65x12,12,12

E-z bar skullz

85x12,12,12

Played around with some higher reps today. Hips and shoulder
were tight, was hoping to loosen them up. Worked for the shoulder,
the hips not so much. Joints are starting to let me down.

[ljimd]

Wednesday 10/15/14 Bwt 178.4

Single leg bb step-ups

95x8,8,8 (8 reps per leg)

BB squat 185x6,6

Bench press

135x5
185x5,5,5

BOR

135x5
165x5,5,5

E-z bar skullz

95x5,5,5

BB curls

70x5
80x5
90x5

Step-ups with a barbell were ugly. I have terrible balance.
Think I'll stick with regular squats. I'd read several articles
about single leg training. Thought I would try it. Oh well.

Training has been uninspired lately caused by some real
life issues. Slowly getting back after it.

[fittofattofit]

I now what you mean about going light weight and high rep and not being 'satisfied' ... I really enjoy deads, squats and rows because I can go heavier but I get almost no satisfaction out of my pressing days because they are so light. We do have to take care of our joints but keeping them moving is the single biggest thing that keeps them lubricated and functioning and keeping the muscles strong is what will support the joints and keep the pain at bay
It's good to see the step ups but don't ditch the BB .. it is really hard initially but it forces you to focus on keeping the core and hips tight and getting the body position right. It took me a while to get used to them but I think that they are a great exercise ... along with BB walking lunges
Interesting to see those DB floor presses in there as well (a favourite of Halfway) .. I haven't seen you do those before .. how do you like them?

[EjnarKolinkar]

I thought the volume thing was not for me, until it started to give me some good results because I couldn't do otherwise. I don't know what I think about it for sure. It's just good to be training.

[ljimd]

I now what you mean about going light weight and high rep and not being 'satisfied' ... I really enjoy deads, squats and rows because I can go heavier but I get almost no satisfaction out of my pressing days because they are so light. We do have to take care of our joints but keeping them moving is the single biggest thing that keeps them lubricated and functioning and keeping the muscles strong is what will support the joints and keep the pain at bay
It's good to see the step ups but don't ditch the BB .. it is really hard initially but it forces you to focus on keeping the core and hips tight and getting the body position right. It took me a while to get used to them but I think that they are a great exercise ... along with BB walking lunges
Interesting to see those DB floor presses in there as well (a favourite of Halfway) .. I haven't seen you do those before .. how do you like them?

I feel like a total klutz on bb step-ups.

I really like floor presses but struggle with getting the heavier db's into position
training alone. I like the sqeeze at the top. Maybe doing single db's a la Halfway
would cure that.

As to rep schemes, I've had success with all different ones and have observed
others do well with all types also. IDK what is best.

I thought the volume thing was not for me, until it started to give me some good results because I couldn't do otherwise. I don't know what I think about it for sure. It's just good to be training.

Nailing down the right amount of volume is the Holy Grail Robert. For me it seems
to fluctuate all the time.

Totally agree with the ability to keep training. Sure hope I can keep going.



Saturday 10/18/14 Bwt 178.8


Squat

barx5
115x5
135x5
155x5
175x5
195x8

Bench

135x5
165x5
185x3
205x5

BOR

115x5
135x5
155x5
175x5

E-z bar skullz

95x5,5,5

BB curls

70x5
80x5
90x5


Training got bumped to Sat. Yesterday was time to winterize the
camping trailer/campsite. Summer is over.

Squatting was sorta ok. Can't get rid of tight achiness in my
hips.

Bench was good. Used pauses on all reps but the last 3
of 205. Touch and go on those.

Diet is on auto. 1900/2100. Carbs usually less than 100, high fat.

[doughnutgut]

Still finding my (what works) button Larry. Rep ranges, deloads, works, doesn't. Will take me a while.

Interesting find on the Starrs my man.

Weight being bumped still?

[ljimd]

Still finding my (what works) button Larry. Rep ranges, deloads, works, doesn't. Will take me a while.

Interesting find on the Starrs my man.

Weight being bumped still?

It's foolhardy for me to not pay attention to what Bill Starr has to say. Even so, I find the
high rep/high frequency stuff borderline boring. It would be easier on my ego if I didn't
have a history. Bottom line, I just love the fact I can still train. Most of the details are just
white noise.

I'll bump when I can. When I can't, I'll coast.




Monday 10/20/14 Bwt 178.8


Squat

95x5
115x5
125x5
135x5
160x5
180x5


Bench

115x5
135x5
160x5

BOR

115x5
135x5
160x5

E-z bar skullz

97.5x5,5,5

Seated db curls

25x6
30x6
35x6


Generic training day. No new ground. Moved hvy bench
day to Fri.

[ljimd]

Thursday 10/23/14 Bwt 179.4

Squats - slight pause to a 12" box

barx5
95x5
115x5
135x5
160x5
180x5

Deads

135x5
165x5
185x5
205x5
225x5


Saturday 10/25/14 Bwt 181.2

Bench - with pause
115x5
135x5
165x3
185x3
205x3

Dead bench - 1" off chest

135x1
165x1
185x1
205x1
225x1
235x1


BB curls
65x5
75x5
85x5
95x5
105x5

Been a mish mash this week. Doctors, errands blah blah.

Went to the dead bench after having some balance problems with
reracking.(Don't know where that came from) Didn't want to get
caught without a spotter.

Took a couple pics Thursday eveing. Just got around to posting.

[fittofattofit]

Arms, shoulders and pecs are looking huge Larry ... 'Old man muscle'
Strong benching with the 235 dead bench following the paused reps and very strong on the BB curls = mass explained!

[ljimd]

Arms, shoulders and pecs are looking huge Larry ... 'Old man muscle'
Strong benching with the 235 dead bench following the paused reps and very strong on the BB curls = mass explained!

Ha, "Old man muscle". I like that.

Thanks Andrew.



Monday 10/27/14 Bwt 179.6


Squat to 12" box

95x5
115x5
135x3
145x3
170x3
190x5

Lt pause bench

115x5
135x5
165x5

BOR

115x5
135x5
150x3
170x3
185x6

E-z bar skullz

97.5x5,5,5

BB curls

80x5
90x5
100x5

Another one in the books.

[fittofattofit]

That's a nice bump on all of those big lifts Larry .. 10lbs on your squat, 5 on the benching and a whopping 25lbs on the rows

[Payton1221]

Dead bench - 1" off chest

135x1
165x1
185x1
205x1
225x1
235x1

I assume this is to take the stretch reflex out. Right? How often do you put these into your workouts and what benefit do you feel that it gives you?

Great journal!!!

[ljimd]

That's a nice bump on all of those big lifts Larry .. 10lbs on your squat, 5 on the benching and a whopping 25lbs on the rows

Thanks Andrew. Just been cycling up and down here lately trying to stay ahead of the aches and pains. Low back and hips have always held my rows down. Same with the squatting. Now and then the left leg gives out. I'm happy just getting up and down with them.

I assume this is to take the stretch reflex out. Right? How often do you put these into your workouts and what benefit do you feel that it gives you?

Great journal!!!

Thanks Payton. As for the dead bench, it is great for building explosive strength out of the bottom, but for me it's just a way I can still bench heavy(ier). I train alone with out a spotter and have had some problems losing tight shoulders on liftoff and wrist/elbow weakness on re-rack. I would not do them often if I didn't have to. Keeps me in the game.



Wednesday 10/29/14 Bwt 180.6


Deads

115x5
135x5
160x3
185x3
205x3
215x5

OHP

65x5
85x5
105x3
120x3
130x3
140x2

CGBP

115x5
135x5
155x5

Chins

bwtx5,5,5


Hips felt ok on deads. I'll start bumping those.

I could tell it's been a month since OHP's.
Wanted 3/4 at 140. Got 2!!!

[EjnarKolinkar]

Good session, press seems to gets hard so quickly with time away.

Got them up anyway!

[ljimd]

Good session, press seems to gets hard so quickly with time away.

Got them up anyway!

Ain't that the truth. Thanks.



Friday 10/31/14 Bwt 179.4


Bench

115x5
135x5
165x3
185x3
205x5

Squat

115x5
135x5
165x5

BOR

115x5
135x5
165x5

E-z bar skullz

100x5,5,5

BB curls

80x5
90x5
100x5

Happy Halloween weekend everyone.

[mirroroferised]

Took a couple pics Thursday eveing. Just got around to posting.

Inspirational as always.

[fittofattofit]

Happy Halloween weekend everyone.

Jelly of that Hallowe'en benching Larry!

[Bo_Flecks]

Just coming in for my usual inspiration. Your size is looking great, Larry!

[Bo_Flecks]

Not sure I'll be able to do it on Tuesday, so I wanted to stop in and wish you a happy Veteran's Day, Larry. I still think you are the only guy I have ever seen a picture of rockin' a bodybuilding pose in Vietnam! That pretty much puts you in godlike status for guys like me!