Possible to grow w/o the calorie intake?

bigpumper · 08-29-2006, 05:27 AM

I seem to have a sticking point in my chest development. After 5-6 months I am not seeing any gains whatsoever (it seems like).

I am at 197lbs right now. I'm actually trying to slim down to about 185-190. Is it still possible to get significant chest growth w/o all the food intake or will I have to pack on the food to gain mass in my chest, b/c as mentioned I'm really trying to get to around 190lbs.

My chest routine varies as I try to switch it up every couple of weeks, but basically they consist of these exercises: (not all performed in one workout BTW)

DB Flat, BB Flat,BB incline,DB incline,Flye Machine,DB decline,Cable Crossovers,Iso Incline machine.

I train chest twice a week, w/ 3-4 rest in between chest workouts. I alternate between heavy / low reps (4x6) the first workout, and low-moderate / high reps (3x8-12) the second workout.

There are some items that I haven't posted such as my current diet, etc. but for the sake of not typing an 8 page newsletter, I will respond to any questions as they come.

matthor · 08-29-2006, 06:02 AM

i'd suggest keeping lower calories except for the day u train u chest - carb cycling would allow this, so u low carb on other training days, no carb on rest days and then high carb on chest day to promote growth

plik · 08-29-2006, 06:50 AM

Sometimes less is more.

Twice a week is a lot, in my opinion. I recommend you train your chest less often and allow some time for those mucle fibers to heal. Try only doing chest once a week, or ever once every two weeks.

Mike Metzner (1979 Mr. Olympia - http://www.bodybuilders.com/ment.htm) wrote a few books, Heavy Duty 1 and Heavy Duty 2, that explained how to train less and get good gains. I tried his methods and I saw a lot of increase of strength, but not as much increase in mass.

Anyway, my point is, you can train chest less than twice a week and still get gains.

And, to answer your question, you can get good gains on a low-calorie diet, but I agree with matthor that you should try carb-cycling. Pete Ciccone wrote a good book on carb cycling, it's good it has meal plans and everything.

ScrillaKeith · 08-29-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpumper

I seem to have a sticking point in my chest development. After 5-6 months I am not seeing any gains whatsoever (it seems like).

I am at 197lbs right now. I'm actually trying to slim down to about 185-190. Is it still possible to get significant chest growth w/o all the food intake or will I have to pack on the food to gain mass in my chest, b/c as mentioned I'm really trying to get to around 190lbs.

My chest routine varies as I try to switch it up every couple of weeks, but basically they consist of these exercises: (not all performed in one workout BTW)

DB Flat, BB Flat,BB incline,DB incline,Flye Machine,DB decline,Cable Crossovers,Iso Incline machine.

I train chest twice a week, w/ 3-4 rest in between chest workouts. I alternate between heavy / low reps (4x6) the first workout, and low-moderate / high reps (3x8-12) the second workout.

There are some items that I haven't posted such as my current diet, etc. but for the sake of not typing an 8 page newsletter, I will respond to any questions as they come.

BP, it is very unlikely that you will put on mass while in a caloric deficit, much less significant growth. If your energy intake is high enough right now to put on mass, I would recommend switching up your workout routine.

bigpumper · 08-29-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrillaKeith

BP, it is very unlikely that you will put on mass while in a caloric deficit, much less significant growth. If your energy intake is high enough right now to put on mass, I would recommend switching up your workout routine.

ScrillaKeith,

what would you suggest for starters?

Benk · 08-29-2006, 10:55 AM

BP, Take a look at this Fit Show episode on Chest Training, I had similar issues with chest development, I started implementing the techniques in this segment and definetly can tell a difference in the 4/5 week timeframe.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/fitshow3.htm

\S/ · 08-29-2006, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpumper

ScrillaKeith,

what would you suggest for starters?

For starters, decide what you want to do. If you're gonna cut, cut. If you want to bulk, then bulk. Trying to do both at the same time is futile.

ScrillaKeith · 08-29-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpumper

ScrillaKeith,

what would you suggest for starters?

I will leave it up to you where to go with this, but some basic principles for adjusting training are altering one or more of these variables:

Frequency, Intensity, Type and Time, aka FITT.

Without knowing you're current routine, statistics and training history, it's hard for me to make a specific recommendation, but usually that is where we would start. You may want to add or eliminate certain exercises based on which ones you feel are working and which ones maybe aren't working as much.

BodySculpting · 08-29-2006, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthor

i'd suggest keeping lower calories except for the day u train u chest - carb cycling would allow this, so u low carb on other training days, no carb on rest days and then high carb on chest day to promote growth

NO. This is horrible advice. Do you think a good surplus diet only on chest days will help his chest grow? Forget about the rest of the days right?

And let's imagine that this was the case...so maintain all bodyparts but let the chest grow? My GOD.

BodySculpting · 08-29-2006, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpumper

I seem to have a sticking point in my chest development. After 5-6 months I am not seeing any gains whatsoever (it seems like).

I am at 197lbs right now. I'm actually trying to slim down to about 185-190. Is it still possible to get significant chest growth w/o all the food intake or will I have to pack on the food to gain mass in my chest, b/c as mentioned I'm really trying to get to around 190lbs.

My chest routine varies as I try to switch it up every couple of weeks, but basically they consist of these exercises: (not all performed in one workout BTW)

DB Flat, BB Flat,BB incline,DB incline,Flye Machine,DB decline,Cable Crossovers,Iso Incline machine.

I train chest twice a week, w/ 3-4 rest in between chest workouts. I alternate between heavy / low reps (4x6) the first workout, and low-moderate / high reps (3x8-12) the second workout.

There are some items that I haven't posted such as my current diet, etc. but for the sake of not typing an 8 page newsletter, I will respond to any questions as they come.

Contrary to the ridicoulous wannabe "hardcore" bull**** rhetoric that goes on in these forums...you CAN GROW AND LOSE FAT. Eat clean, eat plenty and keep your cardio in check. You will see the magic that most say is impossible....gaining muscle and losing fat.

matt555 · 08-30-2006, 02:57 AM

The thing that amazes me nowadays is looking at gymnasts and their body composition. They don't eat much (and the ones I talked to don't even follow a strict "5 or 6-meals a day with lots of protein" regime), but they still have incredibly muscular upper bodies. Is that purely a question of myofibrillar hypertrophy vs. sarcoplasmic hypertrophy? In other words..It seems you CAN gain muscle even if eating less and lose fat at the same time. But I think it just takes more time.