Huntermc6 Bulking in 2012 and Beyond

[Sen8or]

Sounds similar to me.

Does your knee "collapse" under you from time to time (IE your leg go all funky for no reason?), if so, sounds like ligamint damage. You will possibly need a scan, but at the very least, a visit to a sports physio may be in order.

My knee is still iffy 15+ years after damaging it, cracks and clunks all the time, got it looked at but was never operated on, told just to do some exercises to restrenghten the knee. Is ok most of the time now, although heavy deadlifts do leave it feeling a little off, but squats aren't an issue.

[Woody-5]

Strong OHP and nice deads!
What's your OHP PR?
Sucks about the knee pain, give it a few days and see if it works itself out.

[HunterMC6]

Yeah, maybe try a different exercise like a leg press or something else that is similar in sature to a squat.

I was thinking if squats don't work out tomorrow I might go for leg press and see how that works out. I hate to but I need something to work legs, although I might just skip them all together for the rest of the week and just go for the exercises I can do. Working on it 10-12 hrs a day is not helping any.

Whats up Hunter.

Sry to hear bout the knee pain. Just dropping in to say your determination is awesome. Love to see that you never quit

Thanks man was looking through your log the other day hoping you would come back to it some day soon. How are things going? Haven't seen many updates on your youtube channel either.

Sounds similar to me.

Does your knee "collapse" under you from time to time (IE your leg go all funky for no reason?), if so, sounds like ligamint damage. You will possibly need a scan, but at the very least, a visit to a sports physio may be in order.

My knee is still iffy 15+ years after damaging it, cracks and clunks all the time, got it looked at but was never operated on, told just to do some exercises to restrenghten the knee. Is ok most of the time now, although heavy deadlifts do leave it feeling a little off, but squats aren't an issue.

Ohh boy I haven't had that problem as of yet. Well if by "go all funky" you mean just give out or break to the center? I don't have that problem with my knees at all but my ankles tend to roll from time to time. I am going to wait this out for a bit before I go into a doctor. Can't really get the time off right now for it and I am hoping this clears up on its own.

Strong OHP and nice deads!
What's your OHP PR?
Sucks about the knee pain, give it a few days and see if it works itself out.

OHP PR is 120. Should be able to get to that at least. Would love to hit 1 plate that would be impressive to me anyways. That's the plan regarding the knee pain I think it will get better eventually just got to give it time.

[HunterMC6]

Recovery Week 10 Day 2

PR
Failed


Weight 157.75 (gym scale pre workout)

Squat
1x8 45
1x5 95

Notes: No dice, left knee still feels like chit, its less sharp and more numbing now not sure if that’s good or bad. Not even going to try squats on Friday unless I magically heal over the next 2 days.

Bench
1x7 45
1x5 95
1x3 135
1x2 160
3x5 worksets 180

Notes Yeahhhhhhhhhh buddy! If I can’t squat and go after that PR I am just going to chase down my bench PR and destroy it. Thanks Woody for convincing me to go after 180 again. 185 will match a PR for reps without help. I should get this 180 wasn’t easy this time either but I pushed through it.

Rows
1x8 45
1x5 95
1x5 115
3x5 worksets 135

Notes: Little reset here working on not dipping my hips to get the weight into full ROM and hitting my back with better form. Seemed to be pretty easy for the most part, played around with angles a bit trying to see what worked the best. Closer to parallel hits my back the best for sure.

Kneeling Cable Crunches
3x10 50,60 then 70


Poundstones
1x19

Summary

Well was really pissed off after squatting with warm up weight and not being able to go any deeper than 95 but instead of being a bull headed ******* I just decided to hang It up. Went to bench and crushed 180 which felt awesome after not being able to squat. Resetting rows seemed like a smart plan my form was going downhill quickly on these.

Since I cant squat I am going to throw in abs every session to attempt to bridge the gap with my core not getting hit at all. I know it’s not going to do much but it can’t hurt. Poundstones were just a spur of the moment idea since the bar was right there and empty of rows.

Also no squats = no video, can't film bench very well same with rows. Miss my home gym

[Woody-5]

Nice work on the bench! Almost PR time!

[aaronuconn]

Nice work on the bench! Almost PR time!

Agreed! Awesome work man.

[HunterMC6]

Nice work on the bench! Almost PR time!

Agreed! Awesome work man.

Thanks guys, chest feels damn good today. Looks like it's upper body/back for the next few sessions going to give the knee a break, although I might go after DL's they don't seem to bother it at all.

Pro tip on ways to activate the knee without putting to much stress on it? resistance bands maybe?

[Sinaku5]

Thanks man was looking through your log the other day hoping you would come back to it some day soon. How are things going? Haven't seen many updates on your youtube channel either.

Things are going alright. I'm planning to upload some vids tomorrow or sat. actually, going for 315x5 squat and 245x5 bench tomorrow and I was thinking id upload em if I get it.

sux to see the pain in the log tho - u ever see a doctor bout the knee pain? Maybe i jsut didn't look back in ur log far enough

[HunterMC6]

Things are going alright. I'm planning to upload some vids tomorrow or sat. actually, going for 315x5 squat and 245x5 bench tomorrow and I was thinking id upload em if I get it.

sux to see the pain in the log tho - u ever see a doctor bout the knee pain? Maybe i jsut didn't look back in ur log far enough

I have not, this is the first time I have had a serious knee problem. It's a long way from the heart so It should heal eventually. Going to look into some stretching a light exercises to do as a rehab effort. Lets see those lifts man. Hope to see you logging again soon.

[HunterMC6]

Recovery Week 10 Day 3

PR
Failed


Weight 157.7 (gym scale)

Squat

Notes: Didn’t even try, thank you left knee!

Over Head Press
1x8 45
1x5 55
1x3 85
1xw 105
3x5 worksets 115

Notes Ugly as f*** but I got it, last set was actually pretty solid last rep went up fast and I held it for a bit. Pretty happy with OHP overall after reset. I do need to get micro plates since this is going to become real tough very soon for me.

Dead lift
1x5 135

Notes: I think I have to stop doing these as well until I get my knee straightened out. It doesn’t hurt during the ROM so much as it does if the bar even touched my knee cap. Last rep on the pull through I hit my knee cap and it hurt like a mother so I had to stop doing these.

Chins
1x8 BW
3x5 BW + 10lbs

cable crunches
3x10 70,80,90

Summary

Bro session right here gents. Legs and lower body are going to be real tough to do until I get this knee issue resolved. Going to work on some stretches and such to go through before bed and when I wake up. OHP is going well which is a plus let’s see if I can get 185 and 190 bench this week! 185 will match my previous PR.

[Valhallabound86]

Regarding the knee situation, squatting should not impact it basically at all. If your form is perfect, then it could be inflammation. One thing you can substitute is box squatting for your regular squats, and do it sumo style so that the pressure lands on your posterior chain. Could at least attempt those to see if that keeps the pain away. If not, then you'll probably want to ease up totally.

I wouldn't go too nuts trying to PT it on your own, maybe some gentle stretching and Joint Force (if you have some). If it's minor, then 5% cissus tends to help.

[Woody-5]

Strong OHP! Hopefully the weekend will help the knee

[aaronuconn]

Regarding the knee situation, squatting should not impact it basically at all. If your form is perfect, then it could be inflammation. One thing you can substitute is box squatting for your regular squats, and do it sumo style so that the pressure lands on your posterior chain. Could at least attempt those to see if that keeps the pain away. If not, then you'll probably want to ease up totally.

I wouldn't go too nuts trying to PT it on your own, maybe some gentle stretching and Joint Force (if you have some). If it's minor, then 5% cissus tends to help.

Very good advice here.

And very nice job on the OHP!

[HunterMC6]

Regarding the knee situation, squatting should not impact it basically at all. If your form is perfect, then it could be inflammation. One thing you can substitute is box squatting for your regular squats, and do it sumo style so that the pressure lands on your posterior chain. Could at least attempt those to see if that keeps the pain away. If not, then you'll probably want to ease up totally.

I wouldn't go too nuts trying to PT it on your own, maybe some gentle stretching and Joint Force (if you have some). If it's minor, then 5% cissus tends to help.

Awesome post VB, I might give it a whirl on Monday. I can tell you at the moment I can feel the pain just walking around so I feel as though it is not just induced by my squat form seems to be a little more than that. Inflammation sounds like it might be correct. Going to rest up hit it with some ice etc...

Strong OHP! Hopefully the weekend will help the knee

Thanks Woodman we will see come Sunday or Monday

Very good advice here.

And very nice job on the OHP!

Agreed VB coming through in the clutch. Thanks hunting down that 1 plate OHP

[aaronuconn]

Agreed VB coming through in the clutch. Thanks hunting down that 1 plate OHP

I never realized how awkward at first OHP's are. I did them for the first time yesterday, and wow.

[HunterMC6]

I never realized how awkward at first OHP's are. I did them for the first time yesterday, and wow.

Have you always done Seated? because I find those awkward as ****

[Nexxus]

subbing back will read through log a bit later when I'm less busy

[HunterMC6]

subbing back will read through log a bit later when I'm less busy

Right on man, looking for big things in your journal. That was a hell of a read!

[Nexxus]

Right on man, looking for big things in your journal. That was a hell of a read!

thx man, been through your log a bit. Hope recovery and everything goes well for you. I'm sure back and knee pains aren't any fun to deal with...

We all have our own little injury problems I guess lol.

[HunterMC6]

thx man, been through your log a bit. Hope recovery and everything goes well for you. I'm sure back and knee pains aren't any fun to deal with...

We all have our own little injury problems I guess lol.

It probably looks like an excuse not to squat but man I really want to get back under that bar. Was closing in on a PR there.

[aaronuconn]

Have you always done Seated? because I find those awkward as ****

I've always done seated, and honestly, only to 90 degrees on elbows.

[HunterMC6]

Recovery Week 11 Day 1

PR
Failed


Weight 158.0 gym scale

Box Squat
1x7 45
1x3 95
1x2 135
1x2 155
1x2 175

Notes: Knee is doing better, still hurts in the mornings, probably due to not moving most of the night. Decided to take VB’s advice and go for some box squats, went with a wide (sumo style) stance but I don’t know exactly what dictates a sumo box squat. These are way harder than I thought. 175 was actually really tough to get off the box and explode up. Decided also not to really push it so I will progress from here maybe go for some heavier singles as the week goes on. I’m going to film these next time I will need some feed back for sure on my form. Also I watched Icecreamfitness on youtube, (cant remember his handle or his name) but he suggests not doing higher reps box squats since they are more taxing and more difficult to do that’s why I went with a low rep range on these. Anyone disagree with that?

Bench
1x7 45
1x5 95
1x3 135
1x2 165
3x5 worksets 185

Notes Matched PR although not that excited about it. Had a spotter for it and he followed me on the way up and down every rep I don’t think he touched the bar at all he kept saying all you I’m not doing a thing but I am always skepticalhippo.jpg. Also rep 5 set 1 my butt came off the bench and my heels hit the floor, actually felt a slight pinch in my lower back due to this but nothing I am concerned about. Then set 3 rep 1 was crap I dropped the bar way to quickly and got the bounce effect going. Not a pretty PR at all but it really wasn’t that difficult.

Rows
1x5 45
1x5 90
3x5 worksets 140

Notes: Easy, nothing more to add here.

Cable Crunches
3x10 90lbs

Summary

No chins today by the time I got to them every single chin up bar in the gym had people at it, I haven’t seen this many people in this gym since the first week I was there. I don’t have a lot of free time so I just left instead of waiting for an open bar to use. Going to try to get these on Thursday and Saturday this week instead.

Knee is doing better still far from 100% but I got a compression wrap for it which is helping. Also stretching and ice seem to be working well, box squats didn’t have any side effects of pain so I think I can trudge forward with these until I feel fully recovered and ready to his squats again. I am going to try to DL next session and see how the warm ups go and make a decision from there on a work set.

Also so much dat ass in the gym today, normally there is some and it’s not that distracting but today hollllyyy fuarrkk, and she was doing rows on the bench right in front of the bench press. Lost my focus a few times. One good thing about gyms but I still miss my home gym.

[aaronuconn]

Nice job on the bench! By saying your heels hit the floor, are you feet not typically on the ground when benching?

[HunterMC6]

Nice job on the bench! By saying your heels hit the floor, are you feet not typically on the ground when benching?

I use a "powerlifter" form I believe, Heels do not sit on the floor I'm arched with my balls of my feet touching the floor and driving my heels down towards the floor without touching it. I think if you watch so you think you can bench Dave Tate covers the form to a T.

[Nexxus]

lower rep box squats sound good

gj with bench PR match

[Woody-5]

Fine box squats! Glad the knee is improving and you're able to do some sort of squat movement

Awesome job on the matched bench PR

[HunterMC6]

lower rep box squats sound good

gj with bench PR match

Thanks man, going to continue with them. Chest feels good today!

Fine box squats! Glad the knee is improving and you're able to do some sort of squat movement

Awesome job on the matched bench PR

Thanks Woody! Feelsgoodman.jpg

[aaronuconn]

I use a "powerlifter" form I believe, Heels do not sit on the floor I'm arched with my balls of my feet touching the floor and driving my heels down towards the floor without touching it. I think if you watch so you think you can bench Dave Tate covers the form to a T.

Gotcha, and that's the form I attempt to mimic as well, however I think I sometimes start to drive from my heels on occasion.

[HunterMC6]

Recovery Week 11 Day 2

PR
Failed


Weight 157.75



Box Squat
1x7 45
1x5 95
1x3 135
1x1 165
2x1 175

Notes: Didn’t really make much progress on these added another single of 175 to the mix, knee caved on it and I felt a little pain so I hung it up on these for the day. I can’t believe how hard these are coming off the box is so difficult after relaxing for even a split second. Video will be up and I will need some tips on these.

Over Head Press
1x7 45
1x5 65
1x3 95
1x2 105
3x5 worksets 120

Notes FUUUUU OHP! Damn I had no chance at this today. Try again next week qith 120, got to get some micro weights I guess. I need to get past 120 on OHP

Dead Lift
1x5 135
1x5 185
3x5 worksets 235

Notes: Scanned my log on my phone real quick but couldn’t find the last time I Dead Lifted. I know it has been a while since this knee thing but I decided 235 sounded about right. Some rounding on my back but nothing that looked real real bad. I need to review this a little more and see where I can improve. Weight moved pretty quickly.

Chins

1x8 BW
3x5 BW +10lbs
1x7 BW AMRAP

Summary

Not too bad, OHP is annoying but I knew I was going to have problems with this as 120 was near my sticking point from my previous attempts at SS. Micro weight are going to be added to my amazon check list along with a belt that I can hang weights from, the medicine ball trick doesn’t leave room for adding weight I am using the largest one I can hang on to and I even have problems with the 10lb ball from time to time.

Hoping to add in some regular squats coming up next week but we will see, knee was a slight problem today with box squats so I want to be sire I am ready to go. Might have to drop back on squats a bit when I start again and work my way to 200 and hopefully beyond.

Looking forward to bench Saturday going for a rep PR of 190 should be interesting!

[HunterMC6]

Recovery Week 11 Day 3

PR
Failed


Weight Didn’t weigh in today

Box Squat
1x5 45
1x5 95
1x3 135
1x2 165
1x2 175
1x1 185

Notes: I had way more than 185 today, I don’t know exactly what happened but on the 185 set I got tipped off to my left a bit and then the weights started to slide so I panicked a little and tried to fix it on the way up so I didn’t dump the bar. I caught it before that happened but I decided to stop these after that.

Bench
1x8 45
1x5 95
1x3 135
1x2 165
3x5 worksets 190

Notes Last set was filmed just for proof mostly but if my form looks like chit please let me know. 3rd set looked a lot easier than it was. I almost failed the 2nd set on the 5th rep and I was bound and determined not to let that happen on the 3rd set. Pretty physicked that I nailed 190!

Rows
1x8 45
1x5 95
3x5 worksets 145

Notes: Pretty easy I think I can hammer through this with pretty good form for a while before having another reset.


Summary

A little pressed for time so no chins and no abs today but got the big 3 for that day in.

I am curious if the bars I used at my old home gym are lighter than the ones at the gym. They seem like the standard 45lb bar but box squats were way easier and bench was a lot easier than I expect (although I thought I was going to get stuck). Box squats I was going to try to go past 200lbs today it felt that good until I almost dumped the bar and I decided to stop. I should have just kept going with singles until I couldn’t go any more.

I know the box setup was a little high but it was the best I could find out there, this is my buddies house and neither of us ever did these before today down there so I just had to use a random piece of furniture as my box.

Videos coming shortly