*.* 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.

[Saccopoo]

[QUOTE=Silock;10528740]

You will get more total body results in the long run by focusing on strength gains over a specific training period. You can certainly achieve some measure of result by just not sitting at home, and that's fine. You will get to a certain point and go no further without a plan. And if that's all you want, then by all means, do it.

I just don't see the point in dedicating oneself to a fitness program without any specific direction.

Oh, I have a direction. It's to look as good as I can at this stage from a physical perspective. I've done the diet thing, let my body adjust to the vegan intake and now I'm going back to the gym. I don't have any "I need to flat bench 400 lbs." goals. It's simply about minimizing the body fat to about 9 to 12% and keep the weight around 185 to 200 lbs. without suffering psychological meltdown because I haven't met a weekly goal that I set for myself.

Variations in the workout don't prevent plateaus, either. All you're doing is bouncing around losing and gaining strength on certain exercises by doing them and then abandoning them.

As I indicated, I'm not concerned about strength on a specific exercise. It's just about getting somewhat close to what I want from an aesthetic perspective.

And if that's what makes you happy, then more power to you.

So far I'm very happy. Three weeks in and I can definitely notice physiological changes. Workouts have been really intense, pumps are crazy good and everyone around me has made comments about the changes - even under my work clothes.

I'm definitely happy so far.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Oh, I have a direction. It's to look as good as I can at this stage from a physical perspective. I've done the diet thing, let my body adjust to the vegan intake and now I'm going back to the gym. I don't have any "I need to flat bench 400 lbs." goals. It's simply about minimizing the body fat to about 9 to 12% and keep the weight around 185 to 200 lbs. without suffering psychological meltdown because I haven't met a weekly goal that I set for myself.

If you have a psychological meltdown because you didn't meet your weekly goal, that sounds like a serious problem that you should maybe seek help for. I fall short of my goals regularly. Some weeks, I can't meet the weight goal. No big deal. Reset, move on, start again.

So, you DO have goals. What happens if you can't meet them? I mean, 9% body fat at 185 pounds is ****ing RIPPED and HUGE, man. I don't think you understand. I've posted my pics here before. Right now, I'm about 200 pounds, 18% body fat. When I cut to 9% body fat, I weighed 167 lbs. Even 12% at 200 lbs is ****ing gigantically muscular.

As I indicated, I'm not concerned about strength on a specific exercise. It's just about getting somewhat close to what I want from an aesthetic perspective.

I guess I don't understand why you brought up plateaus and muscle memory/confusion if all you're concerned about is aesthetics.

So far I'm very happy. Three weeks in and I can definitely notice physiological changes. Workouts have been really intense, pumps are crazy good and everyone around me has made comments about the changes - even under my work clothes.

I'm definitely happy so far.

I'm glad! Three weeks in, though... you're still in the newb gain phase. It's at this point that literally ANYTHING you do will result in better body composition than where you were at. And if you want nothing more than to see that out, then awesome! But it's eventually going to stop. Also, I suspect you're more concerned about the psychological effects of a "pump," but it really doesn't mean you had a great workout or anything.

Your stated goal of "looking as good as you can" is at odds with not having a program or plan. If you mean "looking as good as you can by doing whatever you feel like you want to do that day," then that's different. But I can tell you from experience that you're not going to **** around with no direction and end up at 185 lbs and 9% body fat unless you're like 6'10".

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Silock

Pre exhaustion may help make you bigger, but it is preventing you from getting stronger.

Big lifts, Low reps first. Accessory, High reps after.

I definitely noticed it today. Was able to squeeze out 3 more reps on my last set of incline bench because I didn't do chest press beforehand
Posted via Mobile Device

[luv]

Just so I'm clear, does swole just mean big mass?

[-King-]

Originally Posted by luv

Just so I'm clear, does swole just mean big mass?

Pretty much. Buffness.
Posted via Mobile Device

[luv]

I love watching people at the gym. And, not just the hotties (there are two in particular)...lol. I was watching a guy do a pretty intense core workout this morning. I'm thinking, "Yep, done those." And when he just sprawled out on the floor after his last rep, I'm thinking, "Yep. That's how I usually end them, too."

I just love watching people train. I like seeing what they do. And, honestly, I love watching the different muscles at work.

[RunKC]

I'm not really going for the "swole" crap. I'm just looking to drop some weight and get toned.

Noticeable definition is my goal.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I'm not really going for the "swole" crap. I'm just looking to drop some weight and get toned.

Noticeable definition is my goal.

I'm not sure what drives me more nuts, that phrase or the word "cleanse".

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I'm not really going for the "swole" crap. I'm just looking to drop some weight and get toned.

Noticeable definition is my goal.

Yea, what man would rather be "toned" than swole?


LOL



You said toned.



Oh and the answer is none.

[Bowser]

"swolened"

[luv]

You guys have to realize that not everyone in here is a "bodybuilder". We're going to say things that get under your skin because we are ignorant. Lewdog has been very good about correcting me in my usage of the word "toned". I don't think it's fair, or really nice, to mock people who use such terms in ignorance. Just either correct them nicely and move on or know what they mean and move on.

I like you guys, so I don't mean to sound like your mother, but be nice! :P

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Yea, what man would rather be "toned" than swole?


LOL



You said toned.



Oh and the answer is none.

Everytime I think of the word "swole" this comes to mind.



this is my goal, which I wouldn't say is swole. Let's just use the word "cut" instead.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Silock

If you have a psychological meltdown because you didn't meet your weekly goal, that sounds like a serious problem that you should maybe seek help for. I fall short of my goals regularly. Some weeks, I can't meet the weight goal. No big deal. Reset, move on, start again.

I won't. Mainly because I don't set weekly goals for myself, but there's also that I really don't care about small incremental changes in strength gains from week to week. I know when I'm wussing out in a work out and when I'm not. the weight I'm pushing really has no bearing on what I'm doing in the gym at the time.

So, you DO have goals. What happens if you can't meet them? I mean, 9% body fat at 185 pounds is ****ing RIPPED and HUGE, man. I don't think you understand. I've posted my pics here before. Right now, I'm about 200 pounds, 18% body fat. When I cut to 9% body fat, I weighed 167 lbs. Even 12% at 200 lbs is ****ing gigantically muscular.

If I cut to 9% and weigh in the mid-160's I'm going to be super pissed. That's exactly what I was my freshman year of college. That's some scrawny shit right there.

I'll probably have to reduce my hummus intake to get below double digits in body fat, which will make me sad. (Also cut out the Golden Oreos and Fritos and Bean Dip.)

I guess I don't understand why you brought up plateaus and muscle memory/confusion if all you're concerned about is aesthetics.

Isn't aesthetics what it's all about? I mean, isn't that the end goal? Unless you are power lifting. (My little brother was about 280 lb. at 5'10" when he was at his max size for competition training, but there wasn't much in the way in terms of cut at that size nor was there any concern about getting "ripped." Personally, I've never got above 235 at 5'11" when I was lifting heavy/not really focused on shredding up.)

I'm glad! Three weeks in, though... you're still in the newb gain phase. It's at this point that literally ANYTHING you do will result in better body composition than where you were at. And if you want nothing more than to see that out, then awesome! But it's eventually going to stop. Also, I suspect you're more concerned about the psychological effects of a "pump," but it really doesn't mean you had a great workout or anything.

Oh, I don't know. I can tell when I've had a good workout and for some reason they are just stringing together at this point. Maybe it's because I haven't worked out for four years, but I do know that the feeling I have now is better than previous workout eras for me personally. Perhaps it's the vegan diet, lack of alcohol intake, or whathaveyou, but they are ending with exhaustion, but also a really harmonious and intense good feeling.

I'd really like to throw a yoga workout in there somewhere as well once or twice a week.

Your stated goal of "looking as good as you can" is at odds with not having a program or plan. If you mean "looking as good as you can by doing whatever you feel like you want to do that day," then that's different. But I can tell you from experience that you're not going to **** around with no direction and end up at 185 lbs and 9% body fat unless you're like 6'10".

I don't think that would be any problem whatsoever. I was just at 175 and single digits body fat about six months ago. About four months ago I was at 185 and around 10-12%. I'm 200 right now and probably around 15% - maybe a little more. Like I said, I'm not too overly concerned about the whole thing. I end up where I end up.

Personally, I'm a little surprised that I'm actually putting muscle weight on since going back to the gym with as much walking around that I do at work all day and being on the vegan diet.

(Actually, I just went up and weighed myself. 206.)

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Everytime I think of the word "swole" this comes to mind.



this is my goal, which I wouldn't say is swole. Let's just use the word "cut" instead.

Dude, that's not a goal, that's just being skinny.

[Saccopoo]

When even "swole" ends up being tiny: