Paul's Quest into first Pro Qualifier

[FrmrHoss]

Sorry to hear that the knee is still acting up a bit - I had a flare up recently right around the patella tendon, but little RICE and it went away and hasn't come back. Hope it starts to heal/gets better fast.

[fltallpaul]

Sorry to hear that the knee is still acting up a bit - I had a flare up recently right around the patella tendon, but little RICE and it went away and hasn't come back. Hope it starts to heal/gets better fast.

I think I may have to take some time off from quad work for a while...hopefully a few weeks with some therapy of joint supps and ice will do the trick.

[fltallpaul]

Two of my favorite Natural Bodybuilders are competing this weekend.

Brian Whitacre is doing the WNBF World's in New York trying to regain his Lightweight title.


Layne Norton is also competing in South Florida at the NGA Universe

[fltallpaul]

What a weekend. Misty and I had a great time in South Florida with some great friends and an awesome bodybuilding show, The NGA Pro Universe and American International Pro Qualifier. Layne took 4th place in an outstanding Pro Lineup...the best I have ever seen in person. David Lovelace won the overall with a physique that i have no doubt is one of the best natural physiques in the world. His conditioning was much improved from last year with separations in his hamstrings and glutes from top to bottom. It was scary how complete he is.

I did get into the gym Friday for heavy upper body again but this is just a recap of some of the lifts

Bodyweight Pullups, 30 Total
Incline Bench 295x6
Skull Crushers 155x6
Single Arm Preacher Curl 50x6
Upright Rows 105x6

Tonight Adam and I will be back at it with some added motivation from watching some amazing physiques.

[robertfah]

Sounds like you guys had a blast....after seeing my first show with you and Adam, I can see how these become addictive....they are very motivational....we may need to hit up another one in the coming months!

[fltallpaul]

Monday November 15th, 2010

Decline Bench Press
335x4, 365x4, 365x4

Cable Pulldown Narrow Grip
240x4, 255x4, 255x4

Military Press
225x4, 235x4, 250x4

Hammer Strength Iso Low Row
320x4, 360x4, 360x4

Close Grip Bench Press
245x4, 265x4, 275x4

Standing Barbell Curls
125x4, 145x4, 145x4

Smith Shrugs
315x4, 365x4, 365x4

Back in the gym with some extra motivation from watching so many Pro's compete. I felt pretty strong on all the lifts. The decline bench is getting really heavy as I notice the most difficult part for me is keeping my wrists locked in position. After each set on decline my forearms are exhausted and take a moment to loosen up. I was very happy with all my pressing movements tonight, especially the military press which is the most I have ever tried. I am also brining the bar down very low on each rep.

Tonight is a night off and then legs Wednesday. I am curious to see how my knee feels this week. I may not use as much weight and focus on avoiding any discomfort.

[FrmrHoss]

Yeah that military press is pretty huge. You have any more pictures from that weekend to upload? Layne's looking pretty boss per usual.

[fltallpaul]

Yeah that military press is pretty huge. You have any more pictures from that weekend to upload? Layne's looking pretty boss per usual.

\

I would like to get up to 315 no the military press, that would be pretty cool.

I took over 200 pictures but I used Layne's camera. Not sure when I will get them from him since he is up in the midwest for a few weeks with guest posing and holiday stuff. We are all getting together in a few weeks and I will grab them then and edit and post a bunch.

[adminJaxon]

thanks for showin those pics Paul! Layne looks amazing as always!

and 315 on millitary press !? my shoulder joints quiver at the thought, lol!

[fltallpaul]

thanks for showin those pics Paul! Layne looks amazing as always!

and 315 on millitary press !? my shoulder joints quiver at the thought, lol!

I will post a ton more when i get the pictures back from Layne. He is off to the midwest for a few weeks so they will be in here after that.

I am not sure I could ever do 315 but if I am doing 250 for a few good reps after benching I think I may have a shot. I would be a cool video to post so perhaps I will try down the road.

[adamrochester]

repped man havnt been on this thread in ages keep up the hard work i am entering next year for my first comp training with layne ill be top age in the teenage division just started my journal couple days ago check it out bro


peace

[robertfah]

Monday November 15th, 2010

Decline Bench Press
335x4, 365x4, 365x4

Cable Pulldown Narrow Grip
240x4, 255x4, 255x4

Military Press
225x4, 235x4, 250x4

Hammer Strength Iso Low Row
320x4, 360x4, 360x4

Close Grip Bench Press
245x4, 265x4, 275x4

Standing Barbell Curls
125x4, 145x4, 145x4

Smith Shrugs
315x4, 365x4, 365x4

Back in the gym with some extra motivation from watching so many Pro's compete. I felt pretty strong on all the lifts. The decline bench is getting really heavy as I notice the most difficult part for me is keeping my wrists locked in position. After each set on decline my forearms are exhausted and take a moment to loosen up. I was very happy with all my pressing movements tonight, especially the military press which is the most I have ever tried. I am also brining the bar down very low on each rep.

Tonight is a night off and then legs Wednesday. I am curious to see how my knee feels this week. I may not use as much weight and focus on avoiding any discomfort.

Crazy decline numbers there sasq....that's pretty much full beast mode right there...

[fltallpaul]

repped man havnt been on this thread in ages keep up the hard work i am entering next year for my first comp training with layne ill be top age in the teenage division just started my journal couple days ago check it out bro


peace

I checked it out...good stuff, focus because it will be here before you know it.

Crazy decline numbers there sasq....that's pretty much full beast mode right there...

lol...it would be funny to have one of those commercials filmed in the gym...

[fltallpaul]

Tonight I get back into the gym...I missed Wednesdays workout. One of my closets friends had his son so I went to the hospital for support. To be honest it was very life changing to see my friend actually grow up right before my eyes. I was expecting him to be his normal hyper, nervous self. Turns out he was the voice of reason and very level headed through the entire thing. It was amazing to see the bond between him and his girl as they awaited for their son. Today after the gym I am going to see them and I looke forward to seeing how things have evolved since Wednesday.

[robertfah]

Tonight I get back into the gym...I missed Wednesdays workout. One of my closets friends had his son so I went to the hospital for support. To be honest it was very life changing to see my friend actually grow up right before my eyes. I was expecting him to be his normal hyper, nervous self. Turns out he was the voice of reason and very level headed through the entire thing. It was amazing to see the bond between him and his girl as they awaited for their son. Today after the gym I am going to see them and I looke forward to seeing how things have evolved since Wednesday.

It's more amazing to watch your own be born....no matter how bad of a day I have, I know I can come home and my kids ease my mind (most of the time, LOL).

[tonsti]

It's more amazing to watch your own be born....no matter how bad of a day I have, I know I can come home and my kids ease my mind (most of the time, LOL).

Ive always said its like xmas everyday when I go home to my sons!!To see there faces light up and to hear daddy daddy daddy!Its the best

[adamjohn32]

It's more amazing to watch your own be born....no matter how bad of a day I have, I know I can come home and my kids ease my mind (most of the time, LOL).

except when you try to sleep or take a nap! haha

[fltallpaul]

Friday November 19th, 2010

Incline Bench
295x4, 305x4, 315x4

Pullups
BW total 32 reps

Upright Row
125x4-3 sets, last set drop set

Cable Rows wide\high
160x4, 175x4, 190x4 dropset

Skull Crushers
155x4, 165x4, 165x4

Single Arm DB Preacher Curl
50x4, 55x4, 55x4

Saturday November 20th, 2010

Deadlifts
365x4, 365x4

Hack Squats
450x4, 450x4...lots of drop sets

Single Leg Curl
125x4, 125x4

Single Calf Press
405x4, 405x4...

Got into the gym early on Friday and had a good session with Adam. All the strength numbers on the upper body are excellent for me. My lower body seems to be giving me hassles right now now a sore lower back and knees. I decided to give Saturday a go and focus on trying to find where I am at. I did do some deadlifts with moderate weight which felt fine. I was a bit stiff on Sunday but nothing too bad. I may continue to rest as I don't quite feel 100% yet with those. I did however alter my stance on the hack squat and put my feet in a position further out and more narrow. I found this relieved some stress on my knee. I did some really slow and controlled reps with 5 plates and could have done more but instead opted to just do lots of sets with less weight. It was a good start to feeling better as my knee didn't bother me at all.

I also got an email this weekend from Josh at bodybuilding.com that I was named bodybuilder of the week...here is the link.

http://www.bodybuilders.com/amateur.htm

[robertfah]

I also got an email this weekend from Josh at bodybuilding.com that I was named bodybuilder of the week...here is the link.

http://www.bodybuilders.com/amateur.htm

Woo-hoo! Congrats!

[Quelly]

amateur of the week huh? LIAR YOU A PRO!!!!



jk, nice work Paul, good informative write up

[fltallpaul]

Woo-hoo! Congrats!

amateur of the week huh? LIAR YOU A PRO!!!!



jk, nice work Paul, good informative write up

Thanks...I have not accepted my Pro Card as of yet...lol.

[fltallpaul]

Monday November 22nd, 2010

Decline Bench Press
385x2, 405x2, 385x2

High Cable Pulldowns, Narrow Grip
255x2, 275x2, 275x2

Military Barbell Press
255x2, 265x2, 255x2

Hammer Strength Low Row
360x2, 380x2, 380x2

Close Grip Bench Press
315x2, 335x2, 335x2

Standing Barbell Curl
155x2, 160x2, 165x2

Smith Shrugs
315x10, 3 sets

Last week of the Tri Phase Intensity portion and I will say it has been a success. I have PR's in every upper body lift I have done. I look forward to taking this new strength and using it towards building more muscle through heavier volume training. It's always fun to push around heavy weight. Moving 405 on the decline was pretty cool, i look forward to doing that on the flat bench in the coming months, perhaps at a competition.

[dogg74]

Pr's in EVERY exercise..is an absoloute Success.. way to bring it Paul..Go get some more.then bring the pain.on that PRO STAGE..whatchu waiting for?lol

[fltallpaul]

Pr's in EVERY exercise..is an absoloute Success.. way to bring it Paul..Go get some more.then bring the pain.on that PRO STAGE..whatchu waiting for?lol

I made myself some promises for hitting numbers with squats, Dl' and bench. I have almost hit all those but I think one more off season to add some size and 2012 will be the year I go for broke!

[RUBICON19]

I will post a ton more when i get the pictures back from Layne. He is off to the midwest for a few weeks so they will be in here after that.

I am not sure I could ever do 315 but if I am doing 250 for a few good reps after benching I think I may have a shot. I would be a cool video to post so perhaps I will try down the road.

315!!! Geeeeeeeeez

It's more amazing to watch your own be born....no matter how bad of a day I have, I know I can come home and my kids ease my mind (most of the time, LOL).

This ^^^

Friday November 19th, 2010

Incline Bench
295x4, 305x4, 315x4

Pullups
BW total 32 reps

Upright Row
125x4-3 sets, last set drop set

Cable Rows wide\high
160x4, 175x4, 190x4 dropset

Skull Crushers
155x4, 165x4, 165x4

Single Arm DB Preacher Curl
50x4, 55x4, 55x4

Saturday November 20th, 2010

Deadlifts
365x4, 365x4

Hack Squats
450x4, 450x4...lots of drop sets

Single Leg Curl
125x4, 125x4

Single Calf Press
405x4, 405x4...

Got into the gym early on Friday and had a good session with Adam. All the strength numbers on the upper body are excellent for me. My lower body seems to be giving me hassles right now now a sore lower back and knees. I decided to give Saturday a go and focus on trying to find where I am at. I did do some deadlifts with moderate weight which felt fine. I was a bit stiff on Sunday but nothing too bad. I may continue to rest as I don't quite feel 100% yet with those. I did however alter my stance on the hack squat and put my feet in a position further out and more narrow. I found this relieved some stress on my knee. I did some really slow and controlled reps with 5 plates and could have done more but instead opted to just do lots of sets with less weight. It was a good start to feeling better as my knee didn't bother me at all.

I also got an email this weekend from Josh at bodybuilding.com that I was named bodybuilder of the week...here is the link.

http://www.bodybuilders.com/amateur.htm

CONGRATS!

[robertfah]

Monday November 22nd, 2010

Decline Bench Press
385x2, 405x2, 385x2

High Cable Pulldowns, Narrow Grip
255x2, 275x2, 275x2

Military Barbell Press
255x2, 265x2, 255x2

Hammer Strength Low Row
360x2, 380x2, 380x2

Close Grip Bench Press
315x2, 335x2, 335x2

Standing Barbell Curl
155x2, 160x2, 165x2

Smith Shrugs
315x10, 3 sets

Last week of the Tri Phase Intensity portion and I will say it has been a success. I have PR's in every upper body lift I have done. I look forward to taking this new strength and using it towards building more muscle through heavier volume training. It's always fun to push around heavy weight. Moving 405 on the decline was pretty cool, i look forward to doing that on the flat bench in the coming months, perhaps at a competition.

Damn, quite impressive Paul....those are crazy numbers up there, on everything. This is how I stay motivated!

[fltallpaul]

Damn, quite impressive Paul....those are crazy numbers up there, on everything. This is how I stay motivated!

Thanks buddy...i have learned not to set limits on myself, it just takes time and consistancy.

[Frankdaddy]

Never set limits to yourself like you said. Must be itching to step on a pro stage huh? I HOPE i can compete this coming year but injuries may hold me back :/

[fltallpaul]

Thanksgiving break was a great time....here are a few pics.

On Wednesday I got to see the the Magic Vs. Heat. I sat in the 5th row and to get to the seats we had to walk around the court. I was bumping shoulders with lots of famous people and even had some friends notice me on TV as I walked behind the basket(see picture below)

I took the opportunity to take a break from the gym. I did get in early on Wednesday and hit some legs but after that I took off. I got to spend alot of quality time with friends and family which I really needed. Here are a few shots from the long weekend.

Pre Game as Lebron gets loose...We kicked thier butts!


Myself on TV with 3 future HOFers.


My buddy Jarret before we eat our Turkey Day Feast!


Florida Snowman...the beginning of the holiday decorations.

[robertfah]

When are we going to the Celtics vs. Magic?