Blonde will make you STRONG

[EvilPie]

Bent over barbell rowing 120kg for reps now and tbar rowing 115kg.  Could do 7 easy reps deadlifting 170kg which used to be my 1 rep max not too long ago. Did 3 clean reps without a spotter with 46kg dumbells last week on flat bench so the 50kgs are getting closer i think. 

Anyone got any opinnion on this fitness class Blaze?  David Lloyd just build a studio for it at huge expense.  Mixture of cardiio, boxing and weights in a fitness class.

Getting really strong on these now mate and fantastic to break through that 200kg deadlift barrier. My current max at deadlift is about 150kg before it starts to get a bit hairy and there's a risk of injuring myself. I'm doing more single leg and light work to try to level out my imbalances, hopefully I can squeeze out an extra few kgs if I can get my glutes equalised.

I've put a bit of weight back on now and am back up to about 100kg from 94kg a couple of months ago. Feel better for the extra bit of weight but it's been tricky making the gains as I'm still doing a 16/8 meal timing plan.

Nothing exceptional happening with regard to numbers, bench is at around 125kg for singles aiming to get somewhere near 140kg as I've just started a strength block. Single arm rows are pretty good at 54kg although I have to use a strap one side as I have some pretty bad tendon issues. Pull ups are okay as well I suppose, I can get 6 out with very strict form with 12kg added although again it's with straps. I can do these without straps but it's pain that makes me stop rather than muscle fatigue. Seems silly to miss out on a few reps which are working my back for the sake of strapping up so I just use them now.

[Marky147]

How is Harvey doing, Matt?

Give him my best if you speak to him.

[vegaslover]

Good to see some life in the thread.
Need to sort my shit out. Changed jobs in Oct from an active one to sitting at a desk for large periods of time, put on a stone.

[arbboy]

Bent over barbell rowing 120kg for reps now and tbar rowing 115kg.  Could do 7 easy reps deadlifting 170kg which used to be my 1 rep max not too long ago. Did 3 clean reps without a spotter with 46kg dumbells last week on flat bench so the 50kgs are getting closer i think. 

Anyone got any opinnion on this fitness class Blaze?  David Lloyd just build a studio for it at huge expense.  Mixture of cardiio, boxing and weights in a fitness class.

Getting really strong on these now mate and fantastic to break through that 200kg deadlift barrier. My current max at deadlift is about 150kg before it starts to get a bit hairy and there's a risk of injuring myself. I'm doing more single leg and light work to try to level out my imbalances, hopefully I can squeeze out an extra few kgs if I can get my glutes equalised.

I've put a bit of weight back on now and am back up to about 100kg from 94kg a couple of months ago. Feel better for the extra bit of weight but it's been tricky making the gains as I'm still doing a 16/8 meal timing plan.

Nothing exceptional happening with regard to numbers, bench is at around 125kg for singles aiming to get somewhere near 140kg as I've just started a strength block. Single arm rows are pretty good at 54kg although I have to use a strap one side as I have some pretty bad tendon issues. Pull ups are okay as well I suppose, I can get 6 out with very strict form with 12kg added although again it's with straps. I can do these without straps but it's pain that makes me stop rather than muscle fatigue. Seems silly to miss out on a few reps which are working my back for the sake of strapping up so I just use them now.

Shoulders went through the roof yesterday as well.  Had a go with 34kg dumbbells as a challenge and easily banged out 7 reps incredibly so movoed up to 36kg and did 4 clean which was a huge confidence boost having been stuck around 30/32 before.  No idea where those gains have suddenly come from.  Nice to see a few posts on the thread from different people again.  Blaze does look 'gay' as you put it but i need to do some cardio so going to give it a spin next week to see what it is like.

[the sicilian]

All gone quiet boys ?

I'm contiunuing with the crossfit stuff and am possibly as fit as ill ever be..feel fantastic and have moved on to some of the top end workouts..todays beauty is called the PainStorm

50 burpees
400m run
100 push ups
400 m Run
150 walking lunges
400 m run
200 air squats
400 m run
150 walking lunges
400 m run
100 push ups
400 m run
50 burpees

Completed in 56.57..very pleased to be anything under an hour and considering a 25 year old  shredded PT instructor did it 52 minutes I am very pleased.. its a quad burner though

Not even exaggerating when I say that I would die if I did this.

Your fitness levels must be insane at the moment.

Lol I actually had to have a deep tissue massage on my legs a couple of days after this ... I cant remember being fitter and am training on par or beating my PT and his 20 years younger than me.. ive leaned up a bit but kept some decent mass..looking for a shredded moment for my 50th..xmas is in the way as my birthday is the end of January but hoping to be fairly good

[arbboy]

Britains SM is on channel 5 now.  Think its the first showoing.  Eddie going to gag up i imagine.  Slimmed down Terry Hollands and Felix also competing.  Felix will still be competing when he is 65 i think

[EvilPie]

Arby how's your bench coming on? Seemed to have some real good progress there for a while but have you maintained it?

I'm a few weeks in to a strength block and just starting to feel a bit more comfortable with the heavier weights again. First time I unracked 120kg it felt incredibly heavy but it's feeling fairly easy now so I'm ready to push towards 140kg with a bit of luck.

I'm on 125kg for singles, 115kg for triples and 130kg for slingshot singles. No risk of failure at any of these weights so definitely going to push these over the next few weeks.

What do you reckon to a meet up over the Christmas period? I know it probably won't happen but at least we can discuss it.....

[arbboy]

David Lloyd at West BRidgford are doing a 2 week £28 taster membership with no commitment over xmas i think.  A one day pass costs £25 alone so we could easily have a couple of meet ups over xmas if you wanted to do that.

Bench wise i have maintained gains but have been training alone last few weeks as training partner hasn't been around for various reasons.  Knocking out 3-4 reps with 100kg flat bench and 3-4 reps with 44 or 46kg flat dumbbell without a spot.  I did a single rep max of 112.5kg a few weeks ago but not sure if i still have that in the tank.

Overall strength is improving in most areas and visually i am a lot bigger and lost 4 inches off my waist since i started training properly but still north of 20 stone weight wise (around the 132-4kg mark usually)  36kg shoulder press dumbbells came out of nowhere the other week.  Back is definitely my strongest area though

[EvilPie]

£28!!! I get two months for that at my place!!!

Might be able to handle it I suppose..... My Training partner's having a couple of weeks off between now and new year so would be good to do a bit of bench and have a spotter there so I can push a bit.

I'll look in to it

[arbboy]

£28!!! I get two months for that at my place!!!

Might be able to handle it I suppose..... My Training partner's having a couple of weeks off between now and new year so would be good to do a bit of bench and have a spotter there so I can push a bit.

I'll look in to it

You don't get to train in the same gym as numerous highly attractive strippers/webcam girls/escorts though i bet at your place!  Some of the conversations these girls have in the steam room you can listen into are quite incredible!  Worth every penny.

[the sicilian]

My Lloyds membership is £102 month ( Tears ) but you are right.. crumpet is different class.. some of the rears on display may be the end of me one day

[arbboy]

My Lloyds membership is £102 month ( Tears ) but you are right.. crumpet is different class.. some of the rears on display may be the end of me one day

Mine is £50 off peak which suit me fine as i would never go during what they class as peak times.  Think the most expensive membership in my one is close to £140 a month with tennis.  Incredible.  At a bullseye a month for what you get i feel like i have a right good deal compared to other gyms of similar price the facilities (and eye candy) are different class.

[EvilPie]

Spoke to Harvey last night which is great news as it means he's alive.

Still not out of the woods by a long shot and not sure how his training will be long term but he's still here so at least he gets to find out.

He's back at the gym now although training extremely light and carefully but he did say he'd be up for a meet if we can get over to him. He's only allowed to drive short distances so couldn't get to Notts.

He said he'll get back on the forum soon but it's a bit difficult for him as he can't physically get involved and post number like before. Seems like bollocks to me to be honest, can't see a problem with posting low numbers and I think following his recovery would be immense as well as a great place to look back on for him and possibly others in years to come. Still, we'll leave that with him.

I've you're reading this Harvey get the f**k back.

From your sympathetic friend

Matt

[Marky147]

I was just about to ask again, as my post got lost back along.

Glad to hear he's on the road back, and once I start posting numbers again in the new year, he should be in good company

My Lloyds membership is £102 month ( Tears ) but you are right.. crumpet is different class.. some of the rears on display may be the end of me one day

For that, I'd want lapdances in the steam room thrown in!

I didn't have to pay at mine, because my PT pays a monthly fee for his clients to use the facilities.

Owner charges me £50 for 2 months, but I always paid my membership with his Mrs, because she only charged me £40.

Should ask for a 50% discount really as half the gym is cardio kit, and I'm hardly going to be plotting up on the stairmaster & treadmill

[arbboy]

Mine was when I realised I was less than 1/2 a stone from hitting 20... Been a lot harder to lose it this time, as I'm a lot more immobile etc.

I'm going to eat whatever I want over xmas, but as soon as I start back in the gym, I'll go back to a stricter routine, rather than mooching about into the year lol.

The mate who is my PT was out at the weekend, and some girl started saying to him he  is getting too big, and to be careful.

His response had me creased 'I'm 17 and a 1/2 stone with abs, so I'm not too worried, but thanks'

Great work Marky.  I had another 'my moment' when i got back to virtually 21 stone.  Back under 19 stone now and seem to have found the training/lifestyle balance now to hopefully last long term.  Nearly 3 months in now and going well.  Don't really want to post on here weekly as that never worked in the past.  Trying to do it quietly and get my head down and stay focused.

Still an avid reader of this thread even though i don't post so keep posting everyone.

If you have a 1 rep max meet up session around Stafford or anywhere in the Midlands would love to come along and have a go with some decent spotters.

Current weights for core exercises for 8-10 reps (without a spotter) are just for interest and review at later stage.  Training mon/tues/wed/fri every week.  Diet is pretty high protein and cut down a lot on carbs from previous attempts.  Cut out dairy totally which isn't an issue now.  Only thing i used to eat was too much cheese and not really missing that at all.

Flat bench 75kg now 82.5 now 110kg
Incline bench 65kg now 75kg noow 95kg
Dumbbell bench 30kg now 34kg now 46kg
Bicep barbell curl 40kg now 47.5kg now 55kg
Deadlift 120kg (taken this easy as suffered a lower back issue last year when i tried some 1-2 rep maxs) now 165kg x 4 reps last week.  now 200kg 1 rep and 8 reps with 180kg
Power cleans 65kg now 70kg quit doing these as i couldn't get any stronger and they were hurting the inside of my left arm
Stiff legged deadlift 65kg now 75kg now 110kg
Bend over barbell row 65kg now 80kg now 110kg
Overhead tricep dumbbell presses 24kg dumbbell now 34kg now 46kg
Shoulder dumbbell press 24kg now 28kg now 36kg

Couple of extra exercises i have added in/forgot about including last time

Barbell upright row 45kg now 60kg
Tbar bent over row 60kg now 110kg
One arm bent over row 38kg now 50kg for 12 reps.  No bigger dumbbell in the gym could easily do high 50s i reckon
Lying down EZ bar tricep presses 35kg now 50kg
Standing bicep curl 20kg now 26/28kg
Standing bicep hammer curl 18kg now 26kg
Seated bicep curl 18kg now 24kg

Update for my own records and anyone who is interested.  Training gone really well last few weeks.  Had some family issues in early Novemeber which was a set back and upset my schedule for a couple of weeks.  Last 5/6 weeks have been great.

Upped the schedule to 5 days a week.  Mon/Tues/Wed/Fri/Sat with two rest days.  Still on the same 3 work out schedule so i basically do two of the three workouts twice a week on a 3 week cycle.  The other work out i only do once that week i go super heavy on and try to increase the PB's on this week when those bodyparts are fresh.

Still using Promax lean but added Creatine powder (5g a day) to this last few weeks and noticing an increase in strength.  Diet similar to before no real changes.

Deadlifts are really going well.  They are definitely my fav exercise.  I think i have the 'right' build for deadlifting tbh.  Got over the mental issue of the weight which injured me last year.  Warm up doing set of 20 reps with 120kg to get going.  Did 140kg easily after that for 10 reps then 150kg x 6 and 160 x 3.  So thought 'fuck it' lets try 165kg and got out 2 reps fairly easily tbh.  Going to rest well over xmas and try 170kg first session back for at least 1 rep.

Going to add in barbell behind neck press for shoulders after xmas as well.  Might have to use smith machine as my gym doesn't have a loose bar station for it which is a shame.

Weak area (Chest) is getting better but still frustrating weight wise.  Enjoying the dumbells more than the flat barbell stuff.  

Body Weight is still around 120kg but quite a change in body shape last 2 months.  Lost nearly 2 inches off my waist and trousers are a lot looser around my thighs which is great.

Happy xmas to everyone and enjoy the rest.  Hopefully we can all sort out a training meeting early next year.

Just done an update of weights a year on from starting training again seriously for comparison moving forward,  going to think about what i want to achieve in 2019.  Going to keep the heavy lifting going for the next couple of months then i fancy really shredding the weight in the spring and easing off the strength work and trying to get my waist below 40 inches for the first time in 15 years!  That will be a bigger challenge than any strength work/sports training i have ever done because i have literally never counted calories/macros etc in my life but i am up for the challenge for a few months at least as i know it needs doing.