Bodybuilders are sick!

[Akhilleus]

I mean that as a compliment…I read FLEX and other bodybuilding publications, so I knew pro bodybuilders did some seriously high-volume workouts, but the only time I’ve ever really paid any attention to a serious bodybuilder’s workout was last night…

I go in there an see this woman that has a pretty face (well, she did show some signs of juice) and huuuuuge guns…she was easily big and cut enough to be a top amateur and maybe pro…I mean I was afraid of getting my @$$ beat coz I kept looking over there…anyway I saw most of what she did…the workout she did would have made my arms sore for a month…in the time that it took me to do deadlifts (which involved about 5 minutes of just loading and unloading the bar), 3 other back excercises, and bicep curls, she did just biceps…

When I got there, she was doing barbell curls for what didn’t look like a tremendous amount of weight, maybe 60 lbs…and she’s using quite a bit of body English to get them up there…she did several sets of this with several forced reps and drop sets…then I saw here doing dumbbell curls…again she wasn’t lifting as much as I had expected and was doing forced reps and drop sets…she was really fighting and you could see it in her face…then she did concentration curls…then she did a few brutal sets of hammer curls…now I have listed 4 bicep exercises, which doesn’t seem like all that many, but she easily did at least 2 working sets of each with forced reps…she probably did other bicep exercises too, those were just the ones that I was able to look at without being too obvious…she spent at least 45 minutes on bis…I can’t believe people can do this…I don’t know for sure, but she looked like she was juicing…either way I have a lot of respect for her…crazy…

[Vash]

Originally posted by Akhilleus
I read FLEX and other bodybuilding publications

First, stop.

Now.

Second, light your crotch on fire for such a transgression.

Third, run a search for any and all weight training, energy system training, or skill-related training methodologies in this particular forums archives.

Fourth, punch yourself in the nuts for that. Dayum. That's worse than wanting to get "toned."

Fifth, don't look at modern bodybuilders at the professional level as representatives of bodybuilding - the professional level is a mutant deviation from true bodybuilding, and weight training in general.

Sixth, repeat step four.

Seventh, remember the addage: "Train smarter, not harder." Increased volume as is suggested in bb'ing ad catalogues is unrealistic at the very best.

******.

[Akhilleus]

Dear Mr. Vash,
If I interpret your post correctly, you feel that FLEX is a pretty sorry publication...in that regard sir, you are just flat out and blatantly correct...for every one legitimate training tip that I can find in FLEX, there is 100 pages of crap and the writers making a pathetic attempt to be funny...before last month, I had last read FLEX 5 years ago...I still remembered the horrific "Musclehedz" cartoons that appeared at the end of every edition...not one of them ever came even close to making someone crack a smile, but they did cause a lot of nightmares and people to go insane...well when I picked up FLEX again last month, I was saddened to see that MuscleHedz were still alive and well...only now the guy had stopped even TRYING to be funny...the headline will be something like: A bodybuilder tries to send an e-mail, and the guy will be like "Dang I can't reach my keyboard coz my lats are too big!" and the rest of the magazine is no better...it usually consists of the writers drooling over average looking fitness women...

As for your other points, I also agree with them (except the one to punch myself in the nuts, I really wish I hadn't done that)...I simply listed this anecdote because I couldn't believe how many sets the person did and I thought it might serve as inspiration to you guys...

EDIT: I'm really sorry to be sharing this, as I know how incredibly stupid it is...but it can help you too...Whenever I feel like the whole world is against me, I remember that it could be much worse, I could have been the guy that created something like this:

http://www.cafepress.com/musclehedz.5482900?zoom=yes#zoom

There had better be some inside joke about this that is preventing the average person from finding it funny, but then the question becomes, why put it in a magazine in the first place? And even if this is based on a specific bodybuilder, that wanted to become a priest or something in real life, that only makes the whole thing slightly less sad, and certainly not any closer to being funny...

DOUBLE EDIT: OH my god! They are actually asking for money for this...and it's quite a bit of $$ too! ($45) so not only do you have this thing hanging on your wall, reminding yourself and everyone who enters your house that you have no dignity whatsoever, but you also get to pay someone for your loss of dignity!

[IronFist]

^ Bwahahahahaha :D

[Ford Prefect]

lol! Funny stuff.

Seriously though, it takes a s-load of dedication and discipline to be a good bodybuilder.

[fa_jing]

forced reps and drop sets on a consistent basis are the way of the bodybuilder, not the athlete.

OTOH, high volume work has it's place in powerlifting which is a pure strength sport. Usually you would cycle from volume to intensity. Check out this cycle: http://www.dragondoor.com/articler/mode3/80/

[IronFist]

Originally posted by fa_jing
OTOH, high volume work has it's place in powerlifting which is a pure strength sport. Usually you would cycle from volume to intensity. Check out this cycle: http://www.dragondoor.com/articler/mode3/80/

Yay! 12 sets on your first day: (I think, is that sets x reps or reps x sets?)

Day 1 65%x8x3, 70%x5, 75%x2x2, 80%x1

PS. I hear that Smolov's lifters use roids, so I'm not sure natties could make too much progress on that cycle.

[norther practitioner]

What if someone is into natty light?

[IronFist]

What's that? Was that a joke? I missed it.

[FatherDog]

Originally posted by IronFist
What's that? Was that a joke? I missed it.

"Nattie light" is slang for "Natural Light", which is horse urine packaged in beer cans.

[Akhilleus]

Natty Bo is pretty nasty too...that's what my dad drinks...but can we please stay on topic and get back to bashing musclehedz? They really do deserve it...

You used to be able to read Musclehedz for free online. I found it funny from time to time.

Sorry bro...I just never got even one of them...nice avatar though...that boot rocks...

Did you know that MuscleHedz advertises itself as "Bodybuilding's Funniest Cartoon Series"? They must be so proud that they beat out all of those other "Bodybuilding Cartoon Series'"

But why don't you be the judge?

http://www.cafepress.com/musclehedz.4245292?zoom=yes#zoom

And sorry guys, you can't steal these, cause they have 'sample' written from them...dang I guess I have to spend the $50...

[_William_]

IronFist, its reps, then sets.

[IronFist]

Originally posted by _William_
IronFist, its reps, then sets.

I think they do it the other way on their board to give it a Russian feel. Besides, 3 sets of 8 wouldn't make that much sense in a powerlifting cycle. I'm 99% sure the Smolov routine up there begins with 8 sets of 3.

[fa_jing]

Iron, it's reps then sets. You are looking at the preparatory cycle if you haven't squatted in a while. I jumped right to the "week #1" workout and tonight am going to begin week #2. The DOMS was incredible after the first workout of 9r x 4s @ 70%. Especially since I don't do high reps with squats. The second workout was really painful but I actually felt less sore afterwards as my body adjusted. I am only doing 3 days/week workout because of scheduling and because I don't get 9.5 hours of sleep a night as recommended. Far less actually. I haven't been using creatine because I want to see what my body is capable of but I feel the routine is really going to work for me. Tonight I'm starting week two with a 15 pound increase. My conditioning for volume squatting already feels much better, plus the extra reps really have caused me to pay close attention to form. Sometimes you have to rest/pause it to get the reps out.

I'm only going to be able to complete the volume portion of the routine before the deadlift/pullup meet. Afterwards I'll probably do the peaking routine.

[IronFist]

It's not that I don't believe you, but I SWEAR I heard the Smolov cycle is 8 sets of 3.

[IronFist]

Dude do you know what time the meet is? I've emailed him twice but not gotten an answer. You know it's moved to Sunday the 13th, right?

[fa_jing]

Originally posted by IronFist
It's not that I don't believe you, but I SWEAR I heard the Smolov cycle is 8 sets of 3.

prolly from someone who got it baxswards too. Look at the article again - the 3 sets of 8 are warmup sets with 65%. Look down ****her at the base weeks, workout # 4. That's 10 sets of 3, not 3 sets of 10. As you progress from 1 to 4 the weight goes up along with the sets while the reps drop.

[fa_jing]

Betty's e-mail is redrain1@comcast.net


here's what I have:

....to let you know that the date of the Chicago Competition is changed from March 12th to now Sunday, March 13th at 12;30 pm. Still at the Edens and everything else is still the same...


iron - looking forward to meeting you, should be a blast. There may be some powerlifters involved

[IronFist]

Originally posted by fa_jing
prolly from someone who got it baxswards too. Look at the article again - the 3 sets of 8 are warmup sets with 65%. Look down ****her at the base weeks, workout # 4. That's 10 sets of 3, not 3 sets of 10. As you progress from 1 to 4 the weight goes up along with the sets while the reps drop.

You're right.

....to let you know that the date of the Chicago Competition is changed from March 12th to now Sunday, March 13th at 12;30 pm. Still at the Edens and everything else is still the same...

iron - looking forward to meeting you, should be a blast. There may be some powerlifters involved

I should probably ask to be put on that list then. Some guy named Shawn was emailing me.

Powerlifters will own me. I'm going for 2 x bw on my second attempt (which will be a PR) and then depending on how that feels I might try higher, or if I just like barely got that one up I'll just call it quits.

Resting for one full second between reps of pullups is **** hard.

How old are you?

[fa_jing]

I don't know if it is really a full second. Just make sure there is a distinct pause and full extension at the bottom. Hopefully someone else will go first and we'll be able to see how the judging is. I hear the judge is Ed Coan's chiropractor.

Shawn is a good guy to talk to too. He and Betty work at the Eden's fitness club. This is where we go for kettlebell club meetings too.

[fa_jing]

I found this post, just in case you lost it:

http://forum.dragondoor.com/training/message/310680/

[fa_jing]

Looks like this post was made today and has more info on the date change.


http://forum.dragondoor.com/training/message/318403/

[IronFist]

Cool, dude, I'm excited for this.

You never answered how old you are. I'm 24 :)

[fa_jing]

I'm the big 3-Oh.

just over 6'1" 200 lbs.

[Akhilleus]

forced reps and drop sets on a consistent basis are the way of the bodybuilder, not the athlete.

Really fa-jing? I do two forced reps on my incline bench presses (at the end of my heavy set) and haven't had any problems with overtraining yet...and I remember from high school that forced reps were what helped me increase my bench...is it bad to do them every workout? Even if it's only 2?

PS you don't consider bodybuilders athletes?

[Vash]

Originally posted by Akhilleus
Really fa-jing? I do two forced reps on my incline bench presses (at the end of my heavy set) and haven't had any problems with overtraining yet...and I remember from high school that forced reps were what helped me increase my bench...is it bad to do them every workout? Even if it's only 2?

It should depend entirely upon the goal of a particular cycle.

PS you don't consider bodybuilders athletes?

They're not. Not at the professional level, anyway.

[IronFist]

The fvck they aren't. Granted, a lot of pro BBers can't walk across the stage without losing their breath, but who said cardio was the measure of an athlete? Are powerlifters athletes? Absolutely. Are BBers athletes? Da.mn right. A BB is more of an athlete than Joe Schmoe who goes for a jog every weekend.

[fa_jing]

Re: forced reps -- well Vash is right, it depends on your program. Personally I'd rather stop, rest and do another set. You can go to failure without overtraining and you can overtrain without going to failure.

There are a few reasons why I hardly ever go to failure or do drop sets. 1 - I don't like the way my form deteriorates and this leads to muscle tweaks. 2 - I have no problem getting enough volume without these methods if that is my desire. More sets is the key. 3 - these methods are scientifically shown to increase sarcoplamic hypertrophy and capillarization of the muscles but don't do as much for strength, in fact they have no place in a powerlifting peaking program for instance.

Ladders are another great way to increase the volume safely.

I'm sure it worked for you on your incline press, but there are other variables that you could manipulate to achieve the same gains strength-wise.

Regarding bodybuilders, they are athletes. I should have said "strength/power athletes" instead which a bodybuilder is not. Strength is a side-effect or a secondary emphasis in bodybuilding, not the main goal. An athlete I would say is someone who engages in an activity with an athletic component which bodybuilding certainly has.

[Vash]

Originally posted by IronFist
The fvck they aren't. Granted, a lot of pro BBers can't walk across the stage without losing their breath, but who said cardio was the measure of an athlete? Are powerlifters athletes? Absolutely. Are BBers athletes? Da.mn right. A BB is more of an athlete than Joe Schmoe who goes for a jog every weekend.

You make some good points. I think, however, that when one's chemical assistance overshadows one's physical labor to achieve a goal, then one is no longer an athlete, but a science experiment gone horribly, horribly wrong.

And wearing those too-short-for-republican panties on stage does not add to the athletic ideal.

[IronFist]

Originally posted by Vash
You make some good points. I think, however, that when one's chemical assistance overshadows one's physical labor to achieve a goal, then one is no longer an athlete, but a science experiment gone horribly, horribly wrong.


I hope you know that in the upper echelons of EVERY sport (meaning pro level) most people use "chemical assistance." Sorry to burst everyone's "no way, my favorite athlete would never use steroids" bubble. The only difference is that everyone already knows that BBs do so they openly talk about it (well, not "openly," but a lot more so than baseball players and football players who can lose their jobs if they get caught, for example).

And wearing those too-short-for-republican panties on stage does not add to the athletic ideal.

Ok, I'll agree with you on that one :D But it's better than being naked like in the original Greek Olympics, yeah?

[abobo]

Bodybuilding takes so much discipline and dedication. It is a full time job. I know because I've been trying to bulk for the past month and am force feeding at this very moment.

Pro bodybuilding doesn't interest me though.

[IronFist]

Originally posted by abobo
Bodybuilding takes so much discipline and dedication. It is a full time job.

Absolutely. I know some people who have sacrificed a LOT to make the progress they have in BB. The worse your genetics are for BBing, the more of a full time job it is.

[David Jamieson]

Second, light your crotch on fire for such a transgression.

...and be sure to put the fire out with a hammer for best effect.

lol. :p

[Akhilleus]

I was doing a little research regarding the subject of pro bodybuilding...and I must say that what I read wasn't all that favourable...I only know a couple of competitive bodybuilders in real life, and they are great, wonderful people...however, some of the ones I have read about on the 'net really tick me off...for example, I have read bodybuilders brag about how humble they are, like "I'm trying to change the stereotype of bodybuilders as self-centered egomaniacs...I'm not ****y at all...and look at my traps! Have you ever seen traps this big! I think not! I'm AWESOME! ARRRGGHH! Ahoy matey!"

EDIT: OMG the sensor blanked out c o c k y

[Vash]

Originally posted by IronFist
I hope you know that in the upper echelons of EVERY sport (meaning pro level) most people use "chemical assistance." Sorry to burst everyone's "no way, my favorite athlete would never use steroids" bubble. The only difference is that everyone already knows that BBs do so they openly talk about it (well, not "openly," but a lot more so than baseball players and football players who can lose their jobs if they get caught, for example).

Indeed. I think I am placing my definition of bodybuilding, that is, the constant improvement of health and physique, and using it as the measuring stick.

However, I would not be quick to call any individual who can lift enormous amounts of weight, or has 4% bodyfat, an athlete if they couldn't walk up the stage/to the squat rack/to the couch without getting winded.

But then again, I do cardio, so I may be a bit biased.

:D



Ok, I'll agree with you on that one :D But it's better than being naked like in the original Greek Olympics, yeah?

True. Unfortunately, the spandex meat-wrappers leave far too little to the imagination.

[Samurai Jack]

Originally posted by IronFist
Ok, I'll agree with you on that one :D But it's better than being naked like in the original Greek Olympics, yeah?

No way. Can you imagine how stupid Francini's Hercules (http://www.comune.firenze.it/immagini/ercole.jpg) or Michalangelo's David (http://www.kamikazebrothers.com/images/david%20statue.gif) would look in tangerine speedos? Not to mention how far from attractive human development Steroids have brought the average Pro Bodybuilder. It's a shame.

On second thought, who wants to see Dorian Yates naked? Yukky.

[Toby]

who said cardio was the measure of an athlete?Not you, that's for sure :D.

[IronFist]

Not you, that's for sure :D.

Oh snap :D

[Vash]

No way. Can you imagine how stupid Francini's Hercules (http://www.comune.firenze.it/immagini/ercole.jpg) or Michalangelo's David (http://www.kamikazebrothers.com/images/david%20statue.gif) would look in tangerine speedos? Not to mention how far from attractive human development Steroids have brought the average Pro Bodybuilder. It's a shame.

On second thought, who wants to see Dorian Yates naked? Yukky.

With the exception of the man-head-to-crotch, that is an excellent example of a built human body.

[Ford Prefect]

Is he about to pee on his head?