eddied27's More Muscle Madness journal

[eddied27]

Wow, Ed; you blew the T-Bar and HammerStrength rows away! Maybe you should try to trick yourself every workout!

You've gotta be happy with that workout--solid increases across the board.

Seriously, Ed; you don't give yourself enough credit. You make steady progress on at least something, at every workout. Good job.

Thanks Bill!

It's not so much not giving myself credit as it is staying humble.

[ironwill2008]

Thanks Bill!

It's not so much not giving myself credit as it is staying humble.

At any rate, you're nailin' it!

[givenr]

Sorry haven't been by in a while Ed. Looking good though, real good man. How's things going with the Skipinator?

[eddied27]

Sorry haven't been by in a while Ed. Looking good though, real good man. How's things going with the Skipinator?

Hey G! Good to see you around!

Things with Skip are going well. Lost 17 lbs. so far in the 6 months working with him. Slow and steady. Lost some strength around here about 1-2 months ago so working to get it back. Going higher with the reps than I'm used to but right now it's more about building my body than how much weight I can push/pull. Hard for me to think that way given DC and 5x5 routines I've done.

Stick around!

[eddied27]

Chest and Triceps - 1A (Rotation 4 -Week 5 - Day 1)
TT = this time
LT = last time

Barbell Incline Press
LT - 135 x 22
TT - 145 x 17

HS Decline Bench
LT - 210 x 15 / 210 x 9
TT - 210 x 16 / 210 x 7

Machine Shoulder Press
LT - 180 x 15 / 180 x 9
TT - 180 x 17 / 180 x 9

BTB Cable Side Laterals (each arm)
LT - 40 x 16
TT - 40 x 18

Hammer Strength Seated Dips
LT - 260 x 12 / 260 x 6
TT - 260 x 13 / 260 x 7

OH DB Extensions
LT - 80 x 18
TT - 80 x 19

Cardio:
None today......

Comments:
HS decline presses perplex me! I always think I'll get more than I actually do going into them and then........BAM.......I'll struggle with them. Might need to play around with seat placement and see if it helps.

Pleased with incline presses and shoulder work.

Think I would have gotten a couple extra reps on the OH extensions had I had someone spotting me back there. Did this workout last last night so no one around to spot.

<Supplements taken today>

True Protein Augment
True Protein Waxy Maize Starch
True Protein 'Xtend'
Acetyl L-Carnitine (during/post)
Vitamin B Complex, B12 and B6
Multi-Vitamin
True Protein Whey - Fruit Punch

Until next time.......Ed

[ironwill2008]

Hi, Ed. I'll agree with you about changing seat position on the declines. Some of us are very sensitive to even slight changes in machine adjustment.

Man, you're killin' the shoulder presses; keep up the hard work.

I liked your rack dead vid; I especially liked your effort on the last few hard reps. That's where the gains reside, in those last few that we'd rather not have to do.

[alkell]

17 pounds, wow that's awesome.

I don't see any strength loss, all I see are increases, great workout Ed, plenty of progress

[storm1507]

17 pounds, wow that's awesome.

I don't see any strength loss, all I see are increases, great workout Ed, plenty of progress

Congrats on the weight loss.

[givenr]

I concur Ed, 17lbs is a great feat!! Congrats!!!

[eddied27]

Legs - 2A (Rotation 4 - Week 5 - Day 2)
TT = this time
LT = last time

Barbell Squats
LT - 235 x 20 / 235 x 11
TT - 235 x 21 / 235 x 11

Hack Squats (machine)
LT - 260 x 20
TT - 260 x 15

SLDL
LT - 185 x 18 / 185 x 12
TT - 185 x 19 / 185 x 13

Standing Calves Raises
LT - 360 x 18 / 360 x 11
TT - 360 x 21 / 360 x 14

Seated Calves Raises
LT - 145 x 18 / 145 x 12
TT - 145 x 21 / 145 x 13

Cardio:
Elliptical
45 minutes

Comments:
Good workout. Squats had my legs quivering around rep 17 on that first set. Tried to get rep 12 on second set but only got halfway back up so to be safe I went back down and let the bar rest on the pins.

Very confused on hack squats. First, they felt like a ton from the very first rep. Second, I have no clue what the foot plate position has been so I'm thinking that may be it. This machine has you lying and you can adjust the foot plate out away from you or in towards you. As a result, your leg movement is different. I can't imagine, given all the other work I did, that I could have dropped 5 reps from last time. I made a note in my logbook of the plate position for next time and we'll see then what I have on my hands.

Calves responding very well.

If you're asking yourself, "How in the world did he do cardio after that?", let's just say it was a quiet, gingerly pace on the elliptical.

<Supplements taken today>

True Protein Augment
True Protein Waxy Maize Starch
True Protein 'Xtend'
Acetyl L-Carnitine (during/post)
Vitamin B Complex, B12 and B6
Multi-Vitamin
True Protein Whey - Fruit Punch

Until next time.......Ed

[eddied27]

Hi, Ed. I'll agree with you about changing seat position on the declines. Some of us are very sensitive to even slight changes in machine adjustment.

Man, you're killin' the shoulder presses; keep up the hard work.

I liked your rack dead vid; I especially liked your effort on the last few hard reps. That's where the gains reside, in those last few that we'd rather not have to do.

Real happy with the shoulder work Bill given my history of problems with them. Glad you liked the vid! My trainer suggests dropping the pins to just below my knee cap to get better back work so you'll probable see a repeat here of that 325 but from a lower pin position.

17 pounds, wow that's awesome.

I don't see any strength loss, all I see are increases, great workout Ed, plenty of progress

Congrats on the weight loss.

I concur Ed, 17lbs is a great feat!! Congrats!!!

Thanks guys! Not done yet but getting there. May need to get some updated pics in here soon but I think I'll wait until I hit 220.

[ironwill2008]

Glad you liked the vid! My trainer suggests dropping the pins to just below my knee cap to get better back work so you'll probable see a repeat here of that 325 but from a lower pin position.

That's where I set the pins, when I do them. that puts max load on the posterior chan, while taking the legs almost entirely out of the lift.

Barbell Squats
LT - 235 x 20 / 235 x 11
TT - 235 x 21 / 235 x 11

Good work; 32 reps/235 pounds. You've got to be building some quads with all the work you do!

SLDL
LT - 185 x 18 / 185 x 12
TT - 185 x 19 / 185 x 13

Good complementary work here.

Very confused on hack squats. First, they felt like a ton from the very first rep. Second, I have no clue what the foot plate position has been so I'm thinking that may be it. This machine has you lying and you can adjust the foot plate out away from you or in towards you. As a result, your leg movement is different. I can't imagine, given all the other work I did, that I could have dropped 5 reps from last time. I made a note in my logbook of the plate position for next time and we'll see then what I have on my hands.

It's like we said in the post about the decline presses; if the machine is adjusted differently, the results will likely be different, too.

In order to quantify, you have to qualify. Smart move, noting the machine adjustment.

[BuckSpin]

*stunned to read the adjective "gingerly" in THIS journal*

You are a freight train, man.....love it.

[eddied27]

Back / Biceps - 3A (Rotation 4 - Week 5 - Day 3)
TT = this time
LT = last time

WG Cable Pulldowns
LT - 180 x 12 / 180 x 8
TT - 180 x 16 / 180 x 9

Barbell Rows
LT - 165 x 15 / 165 x 10
TT - 165 x 18 / 165 x 12

Str8 Arm Cable Pressdowns
LT - 130 x 19 / 130 x 11
TT - 140 x 13 / 130 x 9

Trap Bar Shrugs (not including bar weight)
LT - N/A
TT - 50 x 20 / 50 x 15

Preacher Curls
LT - 65 x 18 / 65 x 7
TT - 65 x 19 / 65 x 8

Lying Bicep Cable Curls
LT - 100 x 20
TT - 110 x 17

Cardio:
Elliptical
40 minutes

Comments:
Everything, everything, everything went well today. Flowed from the first set to the last. Loved it!

When the wg's kicked it off the way they did, I knew this was going to be one of those days. My biceps were fried after preacher curls. BB rows were smooth. Form was right on.

Trap bar shrugs are new and will stay in the rotation. Last time I posted this workout, I mentioned about trap issues. Another member recommended trap bar shrugs and I'm going to like this move. Takes my arms completely out of the move.

Doing ok I guess today all things considered.....

<Supplements taken today>

True Protein Augment
True Protein Waxy Maize Starch
True Protein 'Xtend'
Acetyl L-Carnitine (during/post)
Vitamin B Complex, B12 and B6
Multi-Vitamin
True Protein Whey - Fruit Punch

Until next time.......Ed

[eddied27]

*stunned to read the adjective "gingerly" in THIS journal*

You are a freight train, man.....love it.

Don't get used to it! You won't be seeing it often. It was only used cause I had to squeeze two more cardio sessions by today so I had not choice but to do them post-legs. Other times of day not an option either.

Freight train?? You reading the same journal I'm writing in??

[BuckSpin]

Freight train?? You reading the same journal I'm writing in??

Yeah, freight train. You just pick up heavy, heavy stuff over & over, like a freight engine adding car after car after car after car....

[ironwill2008]

Several folks have reported having one of "those" training days lately! It's a great feeling when you nail your opening exercise; it just makes everything else you do seem easier.

Barbell rows look especially good, Ed. Keep hammerin'.

[alkell]

Do you miss rest pause sets Ed?

How do you think the straight sets are working, obviously pretty damned good by the look of your workouts?

What's Skip said about straight sets as compared to rest pause sets?

Have you any way of comparing your strength to back when you were DCing and if so how are you going?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm here to harrass and learn

[eddied27]

Let's take these one at a time shall we?

Do you miss rest pause sets Ed?

I do miss them. I plan on going back to DC at some point once I feel I'm finished with this routine.

How do you think the straight sets are working, obviously pretty damned good by the look of your workouts?

I think they are working differently than DC. I think it's allowing me to get in better condition if that makes any sense. It took me a full 10 week (?) rotation at the beginning to "get it".

What's Skip said about straight sets as compared to rest pause sets?

He hasn't commented at all about the two frankly. Given his work over at IM.com and that he's close with Dante Trudell, I believe he's a fan of rest pause but opted to use this rotation with me.

Have you any way of comparing your strength to back when you were DCing and if so how are you going?

I was stronger on DC I think. It will be interesting when I go back to DC to see how my strength has developed given the lower rep 1st set on DC as compared to the higher rep work now. I actually plan on using the same exercises I was using when doing DC for comparison. Two very different ways of training. No doubt.

You have to remember that my goal in working with Skip was to lose weight, get leaner and build muscle. Strength had to become secondary in a way.

I actually had to change my entire approach to training Al and it's only with this 4th rotation that it's sinking in this stubborn head of mine. Slow learner I guess. I frustrated easily in the 2nd and 3rd thinking more weight, more weight and more weight. My form suffered, I wasn't doing quality work and I'd get frustrated some more. Once I realized it's about the reps not the amount of weight on the bar, it clicked for me. Don't get me wrong.....I'm not simply repping pink dumbells for the sake of getting reps. I'm just being smarter about when the weight gets added. Looking back......I could probably say I made similar mistakes with DC towards the end.

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm here to harrass and learn

You ever apologize for anything you do in this journal again and I'll kick your Aussie ass!

Thanks for the questions! I don't think I knew how much I know.

[alkell]

You ever apologize for anything you do in this journal again and I'll kick your Aussie ass!

Thanks for the questions! I don't think I knew how much I know.

Lol, thanks Ed, good info.

I get the condition comment on the higher reps straight sets, I found the same thing when I was doing 2 sets of 15 rep squats. My strength didn't seem to suffer too much when I returned to low reps, I am sure it will be the same for you.

Feeling the rep work is so important, it is easy to forget this when trying to beat the damn log book. It only took you till the 4th blast, show off, this is a constant battle for me.

[ironwill2008]

Once I realized it's about the reps not the amount of weight on the bar, it clicked for me. Don't get me wrong.....I'm not simply repping pink dumbells for the sake of getting reps. I'm just being smarter about when the weight gets added.

QFT. This is signature material, Ed.




I would estimate, conservatively, that 75% of the members on this site never figure this out. No joke.

[eddied27]

Lol, thanks Ed, good info.

I get the condition comment on the higher reps straight sets, I found the same thing when I was doing 2 sets of 15 rep squats. My strength didn't seem to suffer too much when I returned to low reps, I am sure it will be the same for you.

Feeling the rep work is so important, it is easy to forget this when trying to beat the damn log book. It only took you till the 4th blast, show off, this is a constant battle for me.

Anytime Al!

QFT. This is signature material, Ed.

I would estimate, conservatively, that 75% of the members on this site never figure this out. No joke.

Thanks for the compliment Bill!

[eddied27]

Chest / Triceps - 1B (Rotation 4 - Week 6 - Day 1)
TT = this time
LT = last time

Hammer Strength Wide Grip Chest Press
LT - 200 x 21
TT - 210 x 19

Smith Flat Bench Press
LT - 160 x 13 / 160 x 7
TT - 170 x 13 / 170 x 8

Smith Shoulder Press
LT - 120 x 17 / 120 x 9
TT - 120 x 16 / 120 x 10

DB Side Laterals - Hanging
LT - 35 x 15
TT - 35 x 18

Smith Close Grip Bench Press
LT - 125 x 17 / 125 x 8
TT - 125 x 17 / 125 x 10

Rope Pressdowns
LT - 110 x 17
TT - 110 x 19

Cardio:
None today.....did this workout late at night so no time.

Comments:
Stalled last time on smith bench presses and thought I stalled again yesterday until I relaized I had 170 on the bar instead of 160. Honest!

Everything else was good overall. Shoulders were odd in that I got +1 rep on the second set yet -1 on the first. Not sure what that's about unless it's a warm up issue. Same with CGBP.

Not doing so hot last couple of days personally and I don't see it getting better unless something changes. Can't go into too much detail here but let's just say I may have lost my best friend. Not dead lost but lost none the less.

<Supplements taken today>

True Protein Augment
True Protein Waxy Maize Starch
True Protein 'Xtend'
Acetyl L-Carnitine (during/post)
Vitamin B Complex, B12 and B6
Multi-Vitamin
True Protein Whey - Fruit Punch

Until next time.......Ed

[alkell]

Everything else was good overall. Shoulders were odd in that I got +1 rep on the second set yet -1 on the first. Not sure what that's about unless it's a warm up issue. Same with CGBP.

Or rest time between sets, I time mine with a sand timer, yes I am a nerd

Lol, gotta love the mind over matter, thinking it was 160 on the flat bench

Solid workout Ed, still a lot of progress, also sounds like you might have had other things on your mind, hope your personal issues work out for the best

[ironwill2008]

Hi, Ed. Adding a dime to your bench when you don't even realize it is like getting an early Christmas present!

[eddied27]

Or rest time between sets, I time mine with a sand timer, yes I am a nerd

Lol, gotta love the mind over matter, thinking it was 160 on the flat bench

Solid workout Ed, still a lot of progress, also sounds like you might have had other things on your mind, hope your personal issues work out for the best

It's funny how that works huh?

Thanks for the PM of support Al. Truly appreciated.

Hi, Ed. Adding a dime to your bench when you don't even realize it is like getting an early Christmas present!

It certainly is Bill.

[eddied27]

This pic is from end of Sept. 09......



This pic is from this morning.....

[alkell]

Wow Ed, that is nothing short of amazing my friend. Congrats, a real transformation

How much weight have you dropped? Any idea on body fat % dropped?

Nice gunz big fella, see you on the dark side

[eddied27]

Wow Ed, that is nothing short of amazing my friend. Congrats, a real transformation

How much weight have you dropped? Any idea on body fat % dropped?

Nice gunz big fella, see you on the dark side

Couldn't tell ya on the bf% but the weight change is somewhere around 17-18 pounds. Thing is I ain't done yet.

Skip just restructured my diet again today to push the leaning out even further. It's gonna be tough given I love to eat and the calories are real restricted except for a Sunday gorge fest.

Cardio has been upped as well but that should be no problem. Pics in about 2-3 months should be even more telling if everything goes according to plan.

Thanks for the kind words Al!

[eddied27]

Back / Biceps - 3B (Rotation 4 - Week 6 - Day 2)
TT = this time
LT = last time

T-Bar Rows (bar weight not included)
LT - 150 x 16 / 150 x 10
TT - 150 x 19 / 150 x 9

Hammer Strength Seated Rows (weight each side; done together)
LT - 90 x 18 / 90 x 12
TT - 90 x 22 / 90 x 13

Rack Deads (bar at below knee level; top shin)
LT - 325 x 20 / 325 x 12 (done with bar at top knee cap)
TT - 325 x 14 / 325 x 8 (done at new position)

Drag Curls
LT - 75 x 20 / 75 x 11
TT - 80 x 16 / 80 x 10

Side Head Cable Curls (weight each side)
LT - 50 x 16
TT - 50 x 20

Cardio:
Elliptical
30 minutes

Comments:
Good workout. Positioned pins below knee level after some input from others. Bar positioned below knee cap at the top of shin. About 4-5" lower than where it was last time and what a different feeling. Happy about moving bar lower.

T-bar rows were a little on the sloppy side so need to pay attention to them next time.

Think I had another rep or 2 on first set of drag curls but didn't feel they'd be good reps. After sloppy form on t-bar, I was very conscious about form for the rest of the workout.

Was supposed to do legs today but moved back to today cause I wasn't confident I'd have time to get back and cardio in tomorrow. Glad I did switch so now all I have to focus on is doing legs tomorrow.

<Supplements taken today>

True Protein Augment
True Protein Waxy Maize Starch
True Protein 'Xtend'
Acetyl L-Carnitine (during/post)
Vitamin B Complex, B12 and B6
Multi-Vitamin
True Protein Whey - Fruit Punch


Until next time.......Ed