Weight Lifters- Ever hear of Fat Gripz?

[CF74]

I followed this in the early 90's when I was in highschool and kids would come up to me and ask me if I was on steroids. I was all natural and just worked my butt off in the gym Mon-Sat, 3-4 hours each day. I followed his plan for building mass and one of the things he emphasized was resting longer between sets. It worked but I also had the body type (Mesomorph) that could put on more muscle than other body types but by the same token I also had a propensity to gain a lot of weight if I stopped working out whereas some guys got thinner. The shocking of the muscles thing could very well be more psychological but anytime I couldn't get over a hump, shocking my muscles helped me get to the next level..

I typically chose 3 different exercises or more for each muscle and then did 5 sets each.
For example for chest I did regular bench press, incline press, and dumbbell flys.

 

[bounce]

I followed this in the early 90's when I was in highschool and kids would come up to me and ask me if I was on steroids. I was all natural and just worked my butt off in the gym Mon-Sat, 3-4 hours each day. I followed his plan for building mass and one of the things he emphasized was resting longer between sets. It worked but I also had the body type (Mesomorph) that could put on more muscle than other body types but by the same token I also had a propensity to gain a lot of weight if I stopped working out whereas some guys got thinner. The shocking of the muscles thing could very well be more psychological but anytime I couldn't get over a hump, shocking my muscles helped me get to the next level..

I typically chose 3 different exercises or more for each muscle and then did 5 sets each.
For example for chest I did regular bench press, incline press, and dumbbell flys.

Totally agree that it has a lot to do with mental. I have two routines that I rotate between every couple of months, but that's more for boredom, than anything - and they're usually just supplemental changes (dumbbell fly to cable fly, preacher curl bar to dumbbell, etc). One of the problems I see the most in the gym is people overtraining a muscle group (usually biceps) or using terrible form, which is usually doing more harm than good. (And skipping leg day). Also, a reason I like to keep workouts the same for the most part is that it really helps in tracking progress.

 

[CF74]

The mind is a powerful thing...

 

[Nova]

Clicked on the link, once... ONCE!

Now, Fat Gripz banners are following me all over the internet.

Thanks 'TheCowboy'.

 

[TheCowboy]

Clicked on the link, once... ONCE!

Now, Fat Gripz banners are following me all over the internet.

Thanks 'TheCowboy'.

No idea man, use an ad blocker.

 

[TheCowboy]

I've been doing a lot of pushups lately hopefully they help.

The only thing I think I should do is take whey protein. I used to take it a while ago, but stopped and now that I'm back into more serious lifting I haven't bought any. The 2 lbs is never enough and the 5 lbs is $50 and I'm not even sure if it's worth it, or if its a psychological thing.

 

[Future]

I've been doing a lot of pushups lately hopefully they help.

The only thing I think I should do is take whey protein. I used to take it a while ago, but stopped and now that I'm back into more serious lifting I haven't bought any. The 2 lbs is never enough and the 5 lbs is $50 and I'm not even sure if it's worth it, or if its a psychological thing.

I never found that taking protein supplements was all that helpful...though I have a diet that consists mostly of steak and eggs anyways lol

 

[CATCH17]

Totally agree that it has a lot to do with mental. I have two routines that I rotate between every couple of months, but that's more for boredom, than anything - and they're usually just supplemental changes (dumbbell fly to cable fly, preacher curl bar to dumbbell, etc). One of the problems I see the most in the gym is people overtraining a muscle group (usually biceps) or using terrible form, which is usually doing more harm than good. (And skipping leg day). Also, a reason I like to keep workouts the same for the most part is that it really helps in tracking progress.

People talk about "changing it up" and that it's supposed to "trick the body". It just doesn't work that way.

Doing what you're doing is the way to go imo. Compound movements will always be king when it comes to building muscles.

Flys, pulls, presses, squats, deadlifts and propper nutrition is all you really need to build muscle. Doing those things consistently is the hard part.

 

[CATCH17]

I never found that taking protein supplements was all that helpful...though I have a diet that consists mostly of steak and eggs anyways lol

If you're trying to hit a high number of grams of protein a day, say 200-250, then shakes are very helpful. Especially when it's time to lose the blubber and maintain what you have built.

 

[TheCowboy]

If you're trying to hit a high number of grams of protein a day, say 200-250, then shakes are very helpful. Especially when it's time to lose the blubber and maintain what you have built.

I'm weight lifting to build muscle but I am looking for into losing and burning fat. It seems like you have to do one or the other and I'm stuck in between. I'm pretty big as is, big muscle and above average-high fat content. I have no definition whatsoever though.

 

[CATCH17]

I'm weight lifting to build muscle but I am looking for into losing and burning fat. It seems like you have to do one or the other and I'm stuck in between. I'm pretty big as is, big muscle and above average-high fat content. I have no definition whatsoever though.

If you already have "big muscle" then the reason you don't have definition is because your body fat % is too high.

So if you have as much muscle as you think you have then you should go on a diet.

Type in Macronutrient for dieting needs on youtube and it will answer a lot of questions.

The goal is to keep your muscle while dieting so that is why you lift, keep your protein intake high, and try to consume as many calories as you can while still losing weight.

For example. If you need 2000 calories to maintain your weight then you should start off eating 1800 calories and go for 1 or 2 pounds of weight loss a week.

If your not losing weight then try dropping your calories by 100 or keeping your calories at 1800 and do some cardio.

 

[TheCowboy]

If you already have "big muscle" then the reason you don't have definition is because your body fat % is too high.

So if you have as much muscle as you think you have then you should go on a diet.

Type in Macronutrient for dieting needs on youtube and it will answer a lot of questions.

The goal is to keep your muscle while dieting so that is why you lift, keep your protein intake high, and try to consume as many calories as you can while still losing weight.

For example. If you need 2000 calories to maintain your weight then you should start off eating 1800 calories and go for 1 or 2 pounds of weight loss a week.

If your not losing weight then try dropping your calories by 100 or keeping your calories at 1800 and do some cardio.

I lost 50 lbs since January my friend. I had what they call the O-Line body, fat and strong. I'm around 250 right now. My avatar is a photo taken in June if you can see what I mean. My body fat is too high yes, but I also don't want to be too skinny.

 

[CATCH17]

I lost 50 lbs since January my friend. I had what they call the O-Line body, fat and strong. I'm around 250 right now. My avatar is a photo taken in June if you can see what I mean. My body fat is too high yes, but I also don't want to be too skinny.

As long as you're happy with where you're at then thats all that matters.

Congrats on the 50 lbs too.

 

[FiveRings]

Oh boy, nothing gets me more jazzed up than a good old fashioned lifting conversation

 

[TheCowboy]

Oh boy, nothing gets me more jazzed up than a good old fashioned lifting conversation

 

[FiveRings]

If you find humor in that, please tell me you watch Dom Mazetti's stuff on YouTube. He's a satirical NY/NY lifting bro (a guido for lack of a better word) but in some of his videos about lifting he gives real, usable tips.

 

[TheCowboy]

If you find humor in that, please tell me you watch Dom Mazetti's stuff on YouTube. He's a satirical NY/NY lifting bro (a guido for lack of a better word) but in some of his videos about lifting he gives real, usable tips.

Never heard of him but will have to check it out

 

[Rhubarb]

I actually use Fat Gripz - I'm a powerlifter. They, along with the towel pull ups, are fantastic for strengthening the grip but they take awhile to see results. If you don't really need to work your grip, then save your cash.

 

[jcollins28]

Pull-ups with a towel + heavy farmers walks = shredded forearms

Yeah, and don't forget to take dat dere celltech.

 

[bounce]

If you already have "big muscle" then the reason you don't have definition is because your body fat % is too high.

So if you have as much muscle as you think you have then you should go on a diet.

Type in Macronutrient for dieting needs on youtube and it will answer a lot of questions.

The goal is to keep your muscle while dieting so that is why you lift, keep your protein intake high, and try to consume as many calories as you can while still losing weight.

For example. If you need 2000 calories to maintain your weight then you should start off eating 1800 calories and go for 1 or 2 pounds of weight loss a week.

If your not losing weight then try dropping your calories by 100 or keeping your calories at 1800 and do some cardio.

Agreed - try to figure out your TDEE (http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/) and figure out how you'd like your macros to be (I'd guess either a 40/40/20 - Carbs/proteins/fats or a 40/30/30) and then eat accordingly. To cut, eat below your TDEE. To bulk, eat above it. Clean foods, though, not just junk to get the calories up. Stick with the macros.