Last night was the beginning of my 5th week on my new routine.

[bodyhard]

I started doing a routine similar to 5x5 where I do Squats, Deadlifts, BOR, bench and OHP 3x a week, Mon, Wed, Fridays 4 weeks ago. But instead of 5x5 I do 3 sets of 5 reps and I do all 5 movements every workout but only do 1 set of 5 reps for deads, but we do them every workout.

I am happy with the increase thus far on each movement for both my son Chris (my other 3 sons gave up ) and I.

For me:
Squats up 40lbs
Deadlifts up 40lbs
BOR up 20lbs
Bench up 20lbs
OHP up 30lbs

Chris:
Squats up 60lbs
Deadlifts up 50lbs
BOR up 30lbs
Bench up 30lbs
OHP up 20lbs

I told my son we would do this routine for 3 months and see where we get both in strength and in size. I will update again in 4 more weeks.

[Paulie_G]

I started doing a routine similar to 5x5 where I do Squats, Deadlifts, BOR, bench and OHP 3x a week, Mon, Wed, Fridays 4 weeks ago. But instead of 5x5 I do 3 sets of 5 reps and I do all 5 movements every workout but only do 1 set of 5 reps for deads, but we do them every workout.

I am happy with the increase thus far on each movement for both my son Chris (my other 3 sons gave up ) and I.

For me:
Squats up 40lbs
Deadlifts up 40lbs
BOR up 20lbs
Bench up 20lbs
OHP up 30lbs

Chris:
Squats up 60lbs
Deadlifts up 50lbs
BOR up 30lbs
Bench up 30lbs
OHP up 20lbs

I told my son we would do this routine for 3 months and see where we get both in strength and in size. I will update again in 4 more weeks.

Glad you are seeing results from a routine like that. I can never recover from doing the big 3+ for 3x per week. More than 2x per week, and my CNS shuts down my gains after about 3 weeks. I DID however see pretty good gains from almost the same program, 2x per week, minus the bent over rows, adding in dips, pullups and Kroc rows.

[bodyhard]

Glad you are seeing results from a routine like that. I can never recover from doing the big 3+ for 3x per week. More than 2x per week, and my CNS shuts down my gains after about 3 weeks. I DID however see pretty good gains from almost the same program, 2x per week, minus the bent over rows, adding in dips, pullups and Kroc rows.

You know, the first 3 weeks were brutal, I and my son felt like we were not going to be able to sustain it, but ironically at the end of last week and yesterday we both felt stronger and the workout doesn't seem as hard.

In the first 3 weeks we were f'cking exhausted by the time we got to the bench. But last week and especially yesterday by the time we got to the bench we were good, in fact we both felt that we could have gone heavier or done more reps, but we are sticking to the plan.

[Requitor]

Do you follow the same type of weight progression as a normal 5x5 program? At least as much as you can?

[bodyhard]

Do you follow the same type of weight progression as a normal 5x5 program? At least as much as you can?

I don't even know what the progression is on 5x5 I only know that it is 5 sets of 5 reps. I don't follow programs I typically do my own routines and I go by feel.

[Karl_Hungus]

I told my son we would do this routine for 3 months and see where we get both in strength and in size. I will update again in 4 more weeks.

I always thought that you didn't care about strength -- but that is great to see that you are progressing on such a plan. I don't think my body could handle that workout 3 times per week, but if it is working, keep going. Will be interesting to see where things are at in 4 weeks.

[induced_drag]

I was thinking you were out of commission until you had shoulder surgery?........ How are you managing the benching...heavy OHP? That was less then 2 months ago. I thought it was beyond the point of even rehab?.... Confused.

[bodyhard]

I always thought that you didn't care about strength -- but that is great to see that you are progressing on such a plan. I don't think my body could handle that workout 3 times per week, but if it is working, keep going. Will be interesting to see where things are at in 4 weeks.

Is not that I don't care about strength it is just not my priority. I would not want strength if I was fat or skinny like you see in some folks.

But I also don't want to be muscular but weak and we all know that lifting heavy weights adds mass to the body and that is my goal, to gain mass So let me apologize if I communicated any or some form of disdain towards strength. As I have said, i have a hard time articulating myself correctly in my writing.

I was thinking you were out of commission until you had surgery?........ How are you managing the benching? That was less then 2 months ago. I thought it was beyond the point of even rehab?.... Confused.

ID you are going to think I am the dumbest person you have met (and I probably am when it comes to this) but my shoulder is all f'cked up and getting worse. I train trough the pain.

I wrap it after every workout, I also brought a sleeve and a wrist wrap to but on my elbows/wrist as the pain has gone down to my elbow and wrist. As I type this the back of my neck is killing me because the pain has also went to my neck.

I know I am an idiot but right now I have no insurance (I am out of work) and can not get the surgery. I tried Obamacare and that is a joke. So until I land a job and get some insurance I am not going to stop training I know my shoulder is worse now than ever. Every rep hurts, but sadly I am learning to "deal" with it

[ajdahlheimer]

Way to bend the bar, brah!

[Karl_Hungus]

So let me apologize if I communicated any or some form of disdain towards strength. As I have said, i have a hard time articulating myself correctly in my writing.

Oh, I never thought you were disdainful of strength .... Just thought you didn't really care whether you were strong or not. But that is good to see your routine is working for you -- It is definitely a tough one.

ID you are going to think I am the dumbest person you have met (and I probably am when it comes to this) but my shoulder is all f'cked up and getting worse. I train trough the pain.

I wrap it after every workout, I also brought a sleeve and a wrist wrap to but on my elbows/wrist as the pain has gone down to my elbow and wrist. As I type this the back of my neck is killing me because the pain has also went to my neck.

I know I am an idiot but right now I have no insurance (I am out of work) and can not get the surgery. I tried Obamacare and that is a joke. So until I land a job and get some insurance I am not going to stop training I know my shoulder is worse now than ever. Every rep hurts, but sadly I am learning to "deal" with it

Honestly, I can identify with this. Years ago, I was doing incline presses, and when I went to set down the weights at the end of the set, something popped in my shoulder and I had immediate intense pain. It hurt so bad that I could not even lift my arm. So what did I do? I went to do weighted dips with a 100 lb DB. Since I could not raise my arm, I grabbed my bad arm with my good arm and put it on the dip bar. Did the set, and made my shoulder 10 times worse in the process. I used to have chronic shoulder problems (left shoulder), and no matter how bad it hurt, I always had to do my regular routine at full intensity. I knew it was dumb at the time, but I did it anyway. So I completely understand the mentality. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.

That said, you don't want to damage it so severely that you will need a shoulder replacement. That will put you out of commission for a good while. Maybe you should try to find an alternative to heavy benching or other exercises that cause significant pain.

[ajdahlheimer]

That said, you don't want to damage it so severely that you will need a shoulder replacement.

Is that what you ended up having to do, broseph?

[Karl_Hungus]

Is that what you ended up having to do, broseph?

No, although I had a lot of pain (for about 2 years), I don't think my shoulder was too badly damaged. I was able to rehab it OK. Part of my problem is that I also had a shoulder strength imbalance which also contributed to my shoulder issues. I did a bunch of things to help out my shoulders: corrected the strength imbalance, did external rotator cuff exercises religiously, and modified my bench press technique to a powerlifter style. My shoulders have healed up nicely since then and now they are 100% pain-free.

[Phattso]

^^Karl, I hurt my R/C years ago on the BB incline press. Bad. No surgery, but took a year to rehab on my own. Never have done BB incline press since. If I do incline presses, it is with either DBs or machine.

Nice work, BH.

[induced_drag]

ID you are going to think I am the dumbest person you have met (and I probably am when it comes to this) but my shoulder is all f'cked up and getting worse. I train trough the pain.

I wrap it after every workout, I also brought a sleeve and a wrist wrap to but on my elbows/wrist as the pain has gone down to my elbow and wrist. As I type this the back of my neck is killing me because the pain has also went to my neck.

I know I am an idiot but right now I have no insurance (I am out of work) and can not get the surgery. I tried Obamacare and that is a joke. So until I land a job and get some insurance I am not going to stop training I know my shoulder is worse now than ever. Every rep hurts, but sadly I am learning to "deal" with it

Why did not use your COBRA from your last job? You get a full years coverage of the same policy. Sure you would have to pay for it, but if you needed surgery, the coverage would be well worth it, even if you just paid a few months.

Regardless.....I would back off the shoulder. Not sure about your pain threshold, but when my shoulder hurts badly, I cant lift my arm only let alone bench press. I need to get my wife to help me put a shirt on and take it off as I cant raise my arm up. I have a pretty high pain tolerance but no way I could do that!

Hope it works out OK.... Do what you must, but you are not getting any younger. Sometimes it is smarter to back off.

[mslman71]

You really wouldn't be in a position for a replacement unless there was significant damage to the bony structure, namely the glenohumeral joint. A replacement is not warranted for soft tissue damage.

[Stevebaby]

[QUOTE=bodyhard. I haven't been to this side of the forum in a spell. Saw your profile shot. You really have gotten very muscular. I mean I was impressed a year ago... But now. Beast. Well done sir

[ajdahlheimer]

Why did not use your COBRA from your last job?

Because it is ridiculously expensive. Especially if his wife and any of his kids were on his insurance. Last time I switched jobs, my new coverage didn't kick in for 30 days and to continue my old coverage on COBRA for ONE month was $600. Told them to find some other sucker. $600 buys a lot of dress shirts that don't fit right .

[bodyhard]

Oh, I never thought you were disdainful of strength .... Just thought you didn't really care whether you were strong or not. But that is good to see your routine is working for you -- It is definitely a tough one.



Honestly, I can identify with this. Years ago, I was doing incline presses, and when I went to set down the weights at the end of the set, something popped in my shoulder and I had immediate intense pain. It hurt so bad that I could not even lift my arm. So what did I do? I went to do weighted dips with a 100 lb DB. Since I could not raise my arm, I grabbed my bad arm with my good arm and put it on the dip bar. Did the set, and made my shoulder 10 times worse in the process. I used to have chronic shoulder problems (left shoulder), and no matter how bad it hurt, I always had to do my regular routine at full intensity. I knew it was dumb at the time, but I did it anyway. So I completely understand the mentality. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.

That said, you don't want to damage it so severely that you will need a shoulder replacement. That will put you out of commission for a good while. Maybe you should try to find an alternative to heavy benching or other exercises that cause significant pain.

Kool man, just confirming it, as I said sometimes I write things out of context even though I think I am writing what my mind is thinking.

I am glad you know where I am coming from, although I still train through the pain and I know it is dumb I try to be as cautious as possible.

Way to bend the bar, brah!

Thanks AJ.

Why did not use your COBRA from your last job? You get a full years coverage of the same policy. Sure you would have to pay for it, but if you needed surgery, the coverage would be well worth it, even if you just paid a few months.

Regardless.....I would back off the shoulder. Not sure about your pain threshold, but when my shoulder hurts badly, I cant lift my arm only let alone bench press. I need to get my wife to help me put a shirt on and take it off as I cant raise my arm up. I have a pretty high pain tolerance but no way I could do that!

Hope it works out OK.... Do what you must, but you are not getting any younger. Sometimes it is smarter to back off.

Hard for me to do so, backing off the shoulder I mean. As for cobra I read it but did not follow through. I just suck with sh!t like that.

I have talked to Patty, my daughter and my sons, as they know how bad my shoulder is and I told them I am hoping to get the surgery soon. I know I am being stubborn but the gym is my life.

. I haven't been to this side of the forum in a spell. Saw your profile shot. You really have gotten very muscular. I mean I was impressed a year ago... But now. Beast. Well done sir

Thanks man, this year I am the biggest and leanest I have ever been. I did some comparison shots when I was at my best and while I was heavier I did not appear as big. My legs have grown a lot as well and that has helped.

[Xscoot]

In on 2 Star thread.

[bodyhard]

In on 2 Star thread.

You must be new around here

[Corbi]

Way to bend the bar, brah!

[induced_drag]

Because it is ridiculously expensive. Especially if his wife and any of his kids were on his insurance. Last time I switched jobs, my new coverage didn't kick in for 30 days and to continue my old coverage on COBRA for ONE month was $600. Told them to find some other sucker. $600 buys a lot of dress shirts that don't fit right .

If you think paying $600/month is expensive with a family, you have been living under a rock. Regardless, continuing and paying a few months would be cheap compared to paying for the surgery.....

BH, I am not sure, but check with your old HR dept. You may still be able to pick it up. I think they are required to carry you for a year. (not sure is there is an enrollment deadline). Basically you have to pay whatever it cost them to insure you, but you get the same coverage.

Get that thing worked on and then drop it if you want.....

[ajdahlheimer]

If you think paying $600/month is expensive with a family, you have been living under a rock.

Compared to the $150 it costs me for one month while employed for them? Yes--I would call 4 times the premium I was paying--expensive.

And again, that's just to carry/continue the plan (premium) any deductibles/copays/out-of-pockets I would have had that month would have been on top of the $600, broseph. Not to mention we are now talking paying with after-tax money versus pre-tax.

[induced_drag]

Compared to the $150 it costs me for one month while employed for them? Yes--I would call 4 times the premium I was paying--expensive.

And again, that's just to carry/continue the plan (premium) any deductibles/copays/out-of-pockets I would have had that month would have been on top of the $600, broseph. Not to mention we are now talking paying with after-tax money versus pre-tax.

Yep...that is damn cheap. You are getting the benefit of a nice group rate. Go out and see what individual policies cost. Back 10 years ago it was cheaper. I think I paid 700/month. (which was awesome) Then it just seemed to go up and up. Stabilized at just over $1000/month. With new healthcare laws, it will continue to go up. (as I am not allowed to drop pregnancy coverage, and I lose the preferred rates I had for good health...they are not allowed to do that anymore)

[ajdahlheimer]

Go out and see what individual policies cost.

Brah, I'm a software engineer for a large healthcare company. I know how much individual policies cost cuz I configure them. They are ridiculous. But I didn't tell BH to purchase an individual plan, I told him I elected to go without coverage for that month (as he has chosen to do for the immediate future) rather than pay 4 times my normal premium.

Also, healthcare cost varies dramatically by state--FYI.