*.* 2014 General Fitness Thread *.*

[penguinz]

Welcome to 2014! Now get your ass in top physical condition!

No one else started it so here it is!

**From the 2013 Thread**

If you want to get back into lifting, or need a new lifting routine, START HERE:

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wi...inner_Programs

If you have questions about the SS programs, look here:

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ

Keep in mind that you're a novice lifter for a longer period of time than you think you are. Novice lifting can last anywhere from a few months to a year or two, depending on how hard you hit the weights and where you started.

Once you've reached the point where you don't make regular progress on the SS program, you are ready to move on to the intermediate stage, which can last you for a good number of years. Find it HERE:

http://madcow.hostzi.com/5x5_Program/Linear_5x5.htm

If you're a very advanced lifter (many, many years of CONSISTENT weight training), then there are lot of programs out there, and which one you pick is simply a matter of preference. If you're really that advanced, you should know what works for you and what doesn't by this point.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Silock

I had them do a physical, which included testosterone, at the end of that crazy cut last summer. It just didn't get low enough.

That is where becoming a borderline alcoholic comes in. I know a few who have used a very strict diet, lack of exercise and lots of alcohol over a two week period to get their levels from well within normal range to below 200.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by penguinz

That is where becoming a borderline alcoholic comes in. I know a few who have used a very strict diet, lack of exercise and lots of alcohol over a two week period to get their levels from well within normal range to below 200.

Or just get it checked after taking a steroid for a few weeks.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Or just get it checked after taking a steroid for a few weeks.

If willing to use steroids why go to a clinic until you are ready to get off juice?

[Aspengc8]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Or just get it checked after taking a steroid for a few weeks.

That works too. There were some extremely potent pro-hormones available OTC at GNC a few years ago.. Halodrol & Superdrol come to mind, there were probably a few others. Anyway, where I'm going with this is that your best bet for TRT is to either show up in the 'low' range on a blood test, or take a chance at any 'Anti-Aging' clinic. Your chances are pretty good if you are >30.

Remember that TRT doses are supposed to bring you into what is considered 'normal range'. They may try gels, pellets and other topical ointments, but what you really want is self administered injection. That's the only stuff that works IMO. The injections actually put you into an above-average range, where you will really see & feel results.

Originally Posted by penguinz

If willing to use steroids why go to a clinic until you are ready to get off juice?

Good point. This is where the whole 'blast & cruise' concept comes in, where guys do periods of higher dose followed by lower TRT dose matching that same amount of time. My insurance did not cover TRT, so for me its cheaper to source my own and just follow up with my primary care physician every 3 months to make sure blood results are on track. I'm not sure what prices are now, but I think my buddy said he pays $10 co-pay for 10ML bottle of Test Cypionate 200Mg/ML, but without insurance it would have between $160-180. Probably depends on the Doc/Clinic though.

[CaliforniaChief]

Just got back from my Monday morning weigh-in...down another 5 pounds to 372. Lots of work to go, but encouraged by the progress.

My stationary bike at home took a dump this morning, gonna take it apart and try to get it going again.

[luv]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Just got back from my Monday morning weigh-in...down another 5 pounds to 372. Lots of work to go, but encouraged by the progress.

My stationary bike at home took a dump this morning, gonna take it apart and try to get it going again.

That's great! How often are you weighing in?

[CaliforniaChief]

Originally Posted by luv

That's great! How often are you weighing in?

Once a week. I go to the same scale at the GNC at the same time. I'm a creature of habit.

[luv]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Once a week. I go to the same scale at the GNC at the same time. I'm a creature of habit.

That is definitely encouraging! I weigh in on the scale in the locker room at my gym every Wednesday before my personal training session. Keep up the good work, and I hope you're able to get your bike fixed.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Aspengc8

I'm not here to argue morals, just going to throw in my perspective from someone who played 4 years DivII football, and continued to play minor league ball for a few more years. Unless you are cream of the crop genetically, you will get smashed. I barely lifted in HS, and could not believe the amount of guys on the team using some sort of PED. Guys your competing against for a spot and scholarship are using, the teams your playing against are using and it was pretty much standard to be on a low dose of test, at the minimum. Competition is the driving force for this, and always will be. I'm sure other people have had similar scenarios, this was just my personal experience.

It's also not illegal, and there are more than a handful of gentlemen on this site that are >30 and on some form of TRT/HRT (doctor supervised supplementation).

So, you're saying that because everyone does it, it's okay? Then why have testing at all? How are you on Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire and Roger Clemons for the Hall of Fame? How you feel about the shit that Armstrong just went through? Are you writing letters to Selig telling him to reinstate Alex Rodiguez? I'm assuming you are on their side, correct?

And just because a doctor prescribes it doesn't make it cool, especially if you are using that prescription for something other than what it was originally intended. Being over 30 and using that as an excuse for doing a "legal" T-stack so you can look good and get big lifts working out versus actually needing it because of unnaturally low occurring testosterone levels is two completely different things. And, yeah, the doctor doesn't really give a rats ass either way as long as he's getting his comps from the pharmaceutical companies. Viagra anyone? Just because you got it from a guy in a lab coat versus some sweaty swole dude's fanny pack in the gym locker room doesn't make it different if you are using for the exact same purpose.

Live Strong bro.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Most places will give it to you now even if you don't come in that low. Just tell them you're tired, have no sex drive, and feel frail and they'll hook you up. Now that's going to one of the TRT specialty centers, not your normal doctor.

Bingo.

[Aspengc8]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

So, you're saying that because everyone does it, it's okay? Then why have testing at all? How are you on Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire and Roger Clemons for the Hall of Fame? How you feel about the shit that Armstrong just went through? Are you writing letters to Selig telling him to reinstate Alex Rodiguez? I'm assuming you are on their side, correct?

And just because a doctor prescribes it doesn't make it cool, especially if you are using that prescription for something other than what it was originally intended. Being over 30 and using that as an excuse for doing a "legal" T-stack so you can look good and get big lifts working out versus actually needing it because of unnaturally low occurring testosterone levels is two completely different things. And, yeah, the doctor doesn't really give a rats ass either way as long as he's getting his comps from the pharmaceutical companies. Viagra anyone? Just because you got it from a guy in a lab coat versus some sweaty swole dude's fanny pack in the gym locker room doesn't make it different if you are using for the exact same purpose.

Live Strong bro.

If they are willing to take a chance, and get caught, that's their choice. You live with the consequences of your actions. If i had gotten caught in college, I would deal with the actions I took. The reasons were not because everyone was doing them, but rather because I wanted and needed to be biggest/fastest/strongest version of myself at that time. The same reason your previously mentioned athletes used. You can call it weak, pussy, fake or whatever the **** else you want to, I have no issues with it.

I qualified for low T and if you think that TRT level doses will give you 'big' lifts and 'look mad good', then you are way, way off, my friend. It's not nearly enough to get you 'swole', just gets you to the normal range or slightly above.

[luv]

So, as I've said, my workouts consist of split circuit weight training to start, and then cardio intervals to finish. Occasionally with a couple of core items thrown in between. I love to row. It's something that I'm constantly pushing myself to do better on. My trainer knows this, so he has me rowing three out of the five days he plans. I also do treadmill incline intervals two of the five, and prowler two of the five. I'm really looking forward to this week.

Rowing days:

4 intervals of 400m with 1 minute rests
(after treadmill incline intervals) 2 intervals of 400m with a 1 minute rest
3 intervals of 500m with 1 minute rests

Also, my prowler days (keep in mind these are for endurance, and not strength):

1 set of 10 rounds (up pushing tall side and back pushing low side), no weight added, sprinting (I usually really start to feel it at about round 5...lol)
(after treadmill incline intervals) 2 sets of 3 rounds with 15s on each side (no walking allowed) with a 45 second rest

Plus, I'm back up to endurance reps for my weight training (3/15 in most cases). Definitely going to leave the gym sweaty this week! I love it!

[jiveturkey]

Bench MONDAY!!! Get SOME!!!!

Bench - 4x6
Incline bench - 4x6
DB chest flies - 4x8
Machine chest flies - 4x8
Overhead tricep extensions - 4x8
Laying front shoulder raise - 4x8

I've also been skipping leg day like a punk for the last couple of weeks while I train for Warrior Dash. It's just a 5k but my friends and I are super competitive with it and the soreness associated with leg day ****s up my running training. Two more weeks and it's back to the squat rack.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Aspengc8

If they are willing to take a chance, and get caught, that's their choice. You live with the consequences of your actions. If i had gotten caught in college, I would deal with the actions I took. The reasons were not because everyone was doing them, but rather because I wanted and needed to be biggest/fastest/strongest version of myself at that time. The same reason your previously mentioned athletes used. You can call it weak, pussy, fake or whatever the **** else you want to, I have no issues with it.

Don't you think that there is a reason that they test for it and subsequently impose penalties on it's usage?

Apparently, the "biggest/fastest/strongest version of myself at that time" naturally wasn't good enough. So you doped.

That's fake.

I admire you for telling like it is, but it's cheating nonetheless.


And the whole "you ain't cheating unless you get caught" thing?...:

I qualified for low T and if you think that TRT level doses will give you 'big' lifts and 'look mad good', then you are way, way off, my friend. It's not nearly enough to get you 'swole', just gets you to the normal range or slightly above.

Riiiight. That's why you are posting vids of you deadlifting 500+ lbs.

[luv]

I'm thinking it's "illegal" if you're competing? If you're not competing, and it's not going to land you in jail, then what's morally wrong with it? You choose not to, but another guys chooses to. Who cares?