AJ's Big Arms => Big Paychecks journal

I figured I would start a journal since I kicked off a fresh new 12 week lifting cycle yesterday. Not really sure what my goals are, just maintaining current mass and getting stronger. Maybe drop some BF. Keep in mind, I am also a home gym guy with dumbbells that only go up to 60 pounds (in case some exercises seem light). I still do them for form and maintenance.

Week 1
Day 1 (Shoulders/Biceps)

Pre-Workout: N.O. Xplode (Grape flavor) 1.5 scoops

Seated Military Press (barbell)
180x12
180x12
195x8
195x8

Seated Military Press (dumbbell)
60x12
60x12
60x12

Seated Preacher curls (EZ bar)
125x8
125x8
125x8

Standing Dumbbell curls
55x9 (each arm)
55x9 (each arm)
55x9 (each arm)

Upright Row (EZ bar)
175x10
175x10
175x10

Pull-ups
3 sets of 10

Trunk Rotators (with 45 pound plate)
3 sets of 50

Reverse Curls (EZ bar)
95x10
95x10
95x10

Resistance Tube bands-OHP
3 sets of 15

Resistance Tube bands-Bent over row
3 sets of 15

Resistance Tube bands-Bicep curls
3 sets of 15 (each arm)

Post-workout: Phase8 (milk chocolate flavor) One scoop mixed with water

Time of workout: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (2 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

Subbed...right off the top. Damn. Why don't you lift something?

Some serious pressing, upright rows and curls. Nice work.

[QUOTE=bradandblake;1292018761]Subbed...right off the top.[/QUOTE]

Not following this comment?????

What?

[QUOTE=Plateauplower;1292020051]Some serious pressing, upright rows and curls. Nice work.[/QUOTE]

Thanks. For my core lifts (Military Press, Bench Press, Incline Bench Press) I do 4 weeks of lighter weight/higher reps (8-12), then 4 weeks of medium weight/medium reps (5-8), then 4 weeks of heavier weight/lower reps (3-5). Then I start all over with a new 12 week cycle. I was taught this system/cycle by my old strength coach in high school when I was 16 (he was a former Olympic shot-putter), and I've been using it close to 20 years now and continue to get bigger/stronger.

[QUOTE=ajdahlheimer;1292020341]Not following this comment?????

What?[/QUOTE]

Subscribed, the button at the top.

[QUOTE=bradandblake;1292022111]Subscribed, the button at the top.[/QUOTE]

Oh cool. Didn't know you could do that.

In for big arms and paychecks.

In.....ur a strong dood! Looking forward to following along!

[img]http://media.giphy.com/media/a166mWLKePCFO/giphy.gif[/img]

In


:D

[QUOTE=mirroroferised;1292103891][img]http://media.giphy.com/media/a166mWLKePCFO/giphy.gif[/img]

In


:D[/QUOTE]

No TML gifs in my journal, broseph. This is supposed to be motivating, not vomit-inducing...

Ouch

Okay fine lol


In on journal of guy who preacher curls almost as much as I bench. That works :)

You still 6 days a week with this new 12 week cycle?

[QUOTE=mirroroferised;1292113031]

You still 6 days a week with this new 12 week cycle?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it's not a "new" program or anything. I am simply starting over on a fresh 12 week cycle now (like I do every 12 weeks).

Day 1: Shoulders/biceps
Day 2: Chest
Day 3: Accessory Day (triceps, traps, lats)
Day 4: Cardio (3.5 mile run)
Day 5: Off day
Day 6: Short minimal chest/abs day
Day 7: Cardio (3.5 mile run)

I was running 3 days a week but it simply became too much since I started coaching my son's football last month.

Nice. I gotta start running a bit more.

[QUOTE=ajdahlheimer;1292118261]Yeah, it's not a "new" program or anything. I am simply starting over on a fresh 12 week cycle now (like I do every 12 weeks).

Day 1: Shoulders/biceps
Day 2: Chest
Day 3: Accessory Day (triceps, traps, lats)
Day 4: Cardio (3.5 mile run)
Day 5: Off day
Day 6: Short minimal chest/abs day
Day 7: Cardio (3.5 mile run)

I was running 3 days a week but it simply became too much since I started coaching my son's football last month.[/QUOTE]

Where do the legs fit in there?

[QUOTE=Plateauplower;1292133091]Where do the legs fit in there?[/QUOTE]

They don't. I don't have a squat rack in my home gym. My only leg workout is running. I have an Oly lifting and college football background though, so I have enough lower body mass maintained to still look relatively proportioned.

Week 1
Day 2 (Chest)

Pre-Workout: N.O. Xplode (Grape flavor) 1.5 scoops

Flat Bench Press (barbell)
265x12
265x12
280x8
280x8

Dumbbell Flies
50x12
50x12
50x12

Incline Bench Press (barbell)
185x12
185x12
200x8
200x8

Incline Bench Press (dumbbell)
60x10
60x10
60x10

Dips
3 sets of 20

Raised push-ups
3 sets of 20

Weighted Decline sit-ups (with 45 pound plate)
3 sets of 20

Trunk rotators (with 45 pound plate)
3 sets of 50

Resistance Tube bands-Butterflies
3 sets of 15

Resistance Tube bands-Pulls
3 sets of 15 (each arm)

Post-workout: Phase8 (milk chocolate flavor) One scoop mixed with water

Time of workout: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (2 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

You've got some great strength .. I like your programme and if it's working for you for the last 20 years I don't see any need to change. Your strength coach was well ahead of the curve with that training programme btw. Cool that your 'lighter weight, higher reps' weeks include 195 x 8 seated MPs and 280 x 8 flat bench ;)
Do you do any deadlifts or oly lifts in your programme now?

[QUOTE=fittofattofit;1292341981]You've got some great strength .. I like your programme and if it's working for you for the last 20 years I don't see any need to change. Your strength coach was well ahead of the curve with that training programme btw. Cool that your 'lighter weight, higher reps' weeks include 195 x 8 seated MPs and 280 x 8 flat bench ;)
Do you do any deadlifts or oly lifts in your programme now?[/QUOTE]

It is the same same program for 20 years in the concept of 4 weeks light weight/high reps, 4 weeks medium weight/medium reps, and 4 weeks heavy weight/low reps. But during those years I have added, removed, and changed around the exercises several times. The first 5-6 years I was doing Olympic lifts as part of it. I used to do skull crushers, but stopped due to elbow problems. I also took a 5 year break from OHP at one point. When I got my new bench a few years ago, I felt comfortable doing them again with a sturdy back rest. Then since joining this site (2 years ago?) I have added some more efficient assistant lifts and got rid of some that weren't really doing anything (but I wasn't aware of).

No Olympic lifts for me now. I would love to get back into them but I simply have no more room for equipment. My next house I want to have an actual fitness room made for it. I've got an Olympic bench, pull-down machine, decline bench (for sit-ups), second flat bench, a rack of dumbbells, and a power tower all crammed into a basement area that is maybe 10x10. Next house I will get a power rack. I want to get back into squats and some oly lifts, as my legs are still big and I have never had any lower body injuries either. Would like to strengthen them back to where they were.

Here are a few vids where you can see my setup:

[youtube]dvroCGX1ecI&list[/youtube]

[youtube]5doKP_5YJDY&index[/youtube]

[youtube]Cmi51yx-BSQ[/youtube]

[QUOTE=ajdahlheimer;1292251731]They don't. I don't have a squat rack in my home gym. My only leg workout is running. I have an Oly lifting and college football background though, so I have enough lower body mass maintained to still look relatively proportioned.[/QUOTE]

Gotcha, no rack would make squats pretty tricky. There are some pretty effective things you could do without a rack like DB sissy squats or BB hack squats. I didn't train legs for a long time my first go round in lifting, and when I finally started I noticed I nice bump in upper body mass that was unexpected, so that is why I mentioned it. Running no doubt will give you some leg work, my hams and quads get sore everytime I go, would do more of it, but anytime I start working up to decent mileage my knees start hurting.

Strong chest work for reps. How do you like the N.O. xplode? I tried some a while back and it gave me good energy but tore my stomach up. I have some C4 that I take now when needed, and like Gaspari Superpump pretty well, they all work for a short time until the tolerence overcomes the dose. Killing it in here, owning those shoulder press.

[QUOTE=Plateauplower;1292361541]
Strong chest work for reps. How do you like the N.O. xplode? I tried some a while back and it gave me good energy but tore my stomach up. I have some C4 that I take now when needed, and like Gaspari Superpump pretty well, they all work for a short time until the tolerence overcomes the dose. Killing it in here, owning those shoulder press.[/QUOTE]

The first time I took it, I got a little bit nauseous about 50 minutes into my workout, but that isn't really out of the norm for me. This is my 2nd week on it and I think my body is more used to it now. I went through a container of C4 last year, but wasn't a big fan. I know a lot of people don't like jitters, but if I don't get some of them--it just doesn't seem like it's doing anything. I've also used the cheapo Muscletech stuff you can get at Sam's Club, and I actually like that better than C4. Nothing will ever match up to Driven Sports Craze though. I only had one container of the stuff before it was outlawed, but I could honestly lift heavy for an hour and a half--then run 5 miles immediately after and not be tired. Not surprising there ended up being illegal substances in that stuff. LOL.

I really like Phase8 for protein btw.

Impressive lifting, as usual bro.

Those are some very impressive lifts in those vids! Great range and form and very controlled. I can see what you mean with that rack ... I'd feel much more confident with those lifts in a power rack, let alone the squats. I wouldn't want to miss the hooks trying to rerack that 300 on the inclines

[QUOTE=fittofattofit;1292370861]Those are some very impressive lifts in those vids! Great range and form and very controlled. I can see what you mean with that rack ... I'd feel much more confident with those lifts in a power rack, let alone the squats. I wouldn't want to miss the hooks trying to rerack that 300 on the inclines[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I very rarely have a spotter. Once in a blue moon when I am one rep maxing in something like that 250 OHP vid. I never have a spotter for my normal workouts, so I really have to recognize my limits. That skin-head dude who spotted me is a neighbor buddy of mine. Nice guy, but getting him to walk two houses down to spot me for 5 minutes is like pulling teeth. When you are too lazy to even spot another dude, good luck ever not being too lazy to actually lift yourself. LOL.

Strong as hell lifts AJ. 300 lb incline bench is like a very distant pipe dream to me lol. I've seen some others in here post about using pre workout supps too but I've never used any. Do you notice a big difference between a pre workout and a coffee? If you even drink coffee that is lol

Week 1
Day 3 (Accessory Day)

Pre-Workout: N.O. Xplode (Grape flavor) 1.0 scoops

Tricep kick-back (dumbbell)
40x10 (each arm)
40x10 (each arm)
40x10 (each arm)

Lateral raises (dumbbell)
50x10
50x10
50x10

Single arm tricep pulley
50x12 (each arm)
50x12 (each arm)
50x12 (each arm)


Shoulder shrugs (barbell)
275x15
275x15
275x15

Shoulder shrugs (dumbbell)
60x25
60x25
60x25

Pull-ups (hammer-grip)
3 sets of 10

Front raises (dumbbell)
35x10 (each arm)

Resistance Tube bands-Lateral raises
3 sets of 15

Resistance Tube bands-Behind head tricep extensions
3 sets of 15

Behind head tricep extensions (dumbbell)
60x15
60x15
60x15

Post-workout: Phase8 (milk chocolate flavor) One scoop mixed with water

Time of workout: 1 hour

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (3 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

[QUOTE=mirroroferised;1292506971]Strong as hell lifts AJ. 300 lb incline bench is like a very distant pipe dream to me lol. I've seen some others in here post about using pre workout supps too but I've never used any. Do you notice a big difference between a pre workout and a coffee?[/QUOTE]

You notice a huge difference initially, but your body builds up a tolerance to it where you don't feel it as much. I like taking it because it also provides creatine.

[QUOTE=mirroroferised;1292506971]If you even drink coffee that is lol[/QUOTE]
Oh yes, coffee is definitely our friend (as I am an early-starter everyday at work). I got myself down to just one big one in the morning though. I work out right after work typically, so it's easier to just down a PWO than to start drinking coffee again midway through the day.

If a little guy like me can squat at the bench so can you. :D I only use a spotter(s) when it gets heavy.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/9Q536v9.jpg[/IMG]

I've been squatting like this for 4 years, it sucks and we aren't allowed to bring a rack in. I've actually just this week revamped my leg day to no longer include barbell squats, but now instead I'm doing dumbbell split squats (75-100lb.) to exhaustion. I can get deeper than that damn bench and I have some serious DOMS in my glutes to prove it, so I think this change will pay off for me.

I can't imagine not having a leg day. For me it's every Monday, hungover or not. :)

[QUOTE=highiso;1292721701]If a little guy like me can squat at the bench so can you. :D

I can't imagine not having a leg day. For me it's every Monday, hungover or not. :)[/QUOTE]

One day I will again. One fine day. (just never in this particular home gym, lol).

Week 1
Day 4 (Cardio)

Pre-Workout: None

3.5 mile run (outdoors)

Post-workout: None

Time of workout: 34 minutes

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (2 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

Week 1
Day 5 (secondary chest/ab day)

Pre-Workout: None

Decline Bench Press (barbell)
260x12
260x12
260x12

Close-grip Bench Press (barbell)
210x12
210x12
210x12

Leg raises (while hanging from pull-up bar)
3 sets of 20

Post-workout: Phase8 (milk chocolate flavor) One scoop mixed with water

Time of workout: 25 minutes

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (2 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

Week 1
Day 6 (Cardio)

Pre-Workout: None

3.5 mile run (outdoors, hell of a wind out there but I'll take it over humidity :D)

Post-workout: None

Time of workout: 35 minutes

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (2 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

Impressive when you're benching 260 x 12 on your 'secondary chest' day. Great bit of rapid volume in just 25 mins and a very good mile rate at a 3.5 miles in 35 minutes for a big guy. Great conditioning as well as strength

[QUOTE=fittofattofit;1293764471]Impressive when you're benching 260 x 12 on your 'secondary chest' day. Great bit of rapid volume in just 25 mins and a very good mile rate at a 3.5 miles in 35 minutes for a big guy. Great conditioning as well as strength[/QUOTE]

Thanks Fit! No one will ever confuse me with Usain Bolt during my runs (lol), but I think I keep a pretty steady pace the whole time and never slow down or walk. I run on a treadmill during the winter and actually go at a higher pace, because I think the machine does some of the work for you. Outdoor runs are the best.

Week 1
Day 7 (Day off bitches!)

Have to coach my son's football game this morning and then doing yard work the rest of the day.

Week 2
Day 1 (Shoulders/Biceps)

Pre-Workout: N.O. Xplode (Grape flavor) 1.5 scoops

Seated Military Press (barbell) ---these kicked my ass this morning
180x12
180x12
195x8
195x8

Seated Military Press (dumbbell)
60x12
60x12
60x12

Seated Preacher curls (EZ bar)
125x8
125x8
125x8

Standing Dumbbell curls ---killed these, felt like I could of done 60's
55x9 (each arm)
55x9 (each arm)
55x9 (each arm)

Upright Row (EZ bar) ---ditto, killed them
175x10
175x10
175x10

Pull-ups
3 sets of 10

Trunk Rotators (with 45 pound plate)
3 sets of 50

Hammer Curls (dumbbell)
40x10 (each arm)
40x10 (each arm)
40x10 (each arm)

Resistance Tube bands-OHP
3 sets of 15

Resistance Tube bands-Bent over row
3 sets of 15

Resistance Tube bands-Bicep curls
3 sets of 15 (each arm)

Post-workout: Phase8 (milk chocolate flavor) One scoop mixed with water

Time of workout: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (2 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

Post-lift pic:

[IMG]http://i60.tinypic.com/2w6xs39.jpg[/IMG]

I think my N.O. Xplode takes more than a half to kick in. I felt stronger as my workout progressed this morning.

I love running this time of year. I do a few 5k events a year and the ones during the summer always suck. Nice couple of workouts. Strong benching.

Week 2
Day 2 (Chest)

Pre-Workout: N.O. Xplode (Grape flavor) 1.5 scoops

Flat Bench Press (barbell)
265x12
265x12
280x8
280x8

Dumbbell Flies
50x12
50x12
50x12

Incline Bench Press (barbell)
185x12
185x12
200x8
200x8

Incline Bench Press (dumbbell)
60x10
60x10
60x10

Dips
3 sets of 20

Raised push-ups
3 sets of 20

Weighted Decline sit-ups (with 45 pound plate)
3 sets of 20

Trunk rotators (with 45 pound plate)
3 sets of 50

Resistance Tube bands-Butterflies
3 sets of 15

Resistance Tube bands-Pulls
3 sets of 15 (each arm)

Post-workout: Phase8 (milk chocolate flavor) One scoop mixed with water

Time of workout: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (3 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

Putting in the work. Heavy weights and pretty high volume. Those upright row numbers are mind boggling. I agree on the running it's easier to go faster. I always think of it as keeping up with the belt rather than actually propelling yourself forward. Idk. Much prefer outdoor cardio though...

[QUOTE=Plateauplower;1294849771]Putting in the work. Heavy weights and pretty high volume. Those upright row numbers are mind boggling. I agree on the running it's easier to go faster. I always think of it as keeping up with the belt rather than actually propelling yourself forward. Idk. Much prefer outdoor cardio though...[/QUOTE]

Thanks PP. I was worried nobody was actually reading this thing. LOL.

Outdoor runs are also better because chicks honk their cars at me (either because they think I am hot or think there is a bear running down the street. I haven't ascertained which, but will gladly accept either one :D).

in for stong lifts

Week 2
Day 3 (Accessory Day)

Pre-Workout: N.O. Xplode (Grape flavor) 1.0 scoops

Dumbbell Rows
60x10 (each arm)
60x10 (each arm)
60x10 (each arm)

Lateral raises (dumbbell)
50x10
50x10
50x10

Single arm tricep pulley
50x12 (each arm)
50x12 (each arm)
50x12 (each arm)


Shoulder shrugs (barbell)
275x15
275x15
275x15

Shoulder shrugs (dumbbell)
60x25
60x25
60x25

Pull-ups (hammer-grip)
3 sets of 10

Front raises (dumbbell) --- [b]these were fkn brutal today[/b]
40x10 (each arm)

Resistance Tube bands-Lateral raises
3 sets of 15

Resistance Tube bands-Behind head tricep extensions
3 sets of 15

Behind head tricep extensions (dumbbell)
60x15
60x15
60x15

Post-workout: Phase8 (milk chocolate flavor) One scoop mixed with water

Time of workout: 1 hour

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (3 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

Week 2
Day 4 (Cardio)

Pre-Workout: None

3.5 mile run (outdoors) ---Almost got hit by car at a crosswalk, soccer-mom not paying attention--thank God I slowed up/stopped at the last second. I basically ran into the side of her car.

Post-workout: None

Time of workout: 33 minutes

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (2 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

Is the car okay?

[QUOTE=mirroroferised;1295372661]Is the car okay?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I hit it with my forearms to stop myself. She didn't get out to see if I was okay....

Week 2
Day 5 (secondary chest/ab day)

Pre-Workout: None

Decline Bench Press (barbell)
260x12
260x12
260x12

Close-grip Bench Press (barbell)
210x12
210x12
210x12

Leg raises (while hanging from pull-up bar)
3 sets of 20

Post-workout: None

Time of workout: 25 minutes

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (2 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

Looks like you are making lots of that big money in here.

Week 2
Day 6 (Cardio)

Pre-Workout: None

3.5 mile run (outdoors, warm out there today. Over 80 degrees. Beautiful. )

Post-workout: None

Time of workout: 33 minutes

Other supps: Fish Oil/Omega-3's (3 soft gels) and a Multi-vitamin

You've got huge mass showing in that pic .. arms and delts especially are huge but you've got great chest size as well. It's not surprising when you're not only benching and pressing weights that are bigger than most of our 1RMs but your are doing 12 rep sets [img]http://www.runemasterstudios.com/graemlins/images/thumbsup.gif[/img]
Any idea of what your average food intake is to maintain your size and activity level?

AJ - Nice work! You are a beast. I have a 2 questions for you:

How many calories are you consuming per day?

Does the N.O. Xplode wear off after your workout? I'm considering trying it but I train late and go to bed 1.5 - 2 hours after. I don't want to take something that will keep me up all night.

Thanks.