Rocsteady wrote:Talking about when you were 19 though, I found progression much easier back then. Maybe just because I was more dedicated and focussed but I feel like prior muscle tears are starting to weigh on me now. 100kg bench with a spotter recently had me extremely worried for my wrist ligaments.
I think the main reason I found gym gainz easier at that time was because University took up far less time than working full time and I could hit the gym during the day rather than 7.45PM when I've worked the whole day, walked 4 miles and am feeling hunger that I have to exercise through. The DOMS were certainly just as bad back then even if it's 9 years ago now.
Hime wrote:We're not doing the extreme, macho ultimate lad weight lifter image much good here fella's
.
I don't mean to sound patronising as obviously you guys are mostly far more experienced than me but what do you hope to achieve with the strength stuff? I found it really studying at first as it taps into the compulsive videogame thing of seeing numbers get bigger but when I hired my PT he asked me what I was actually trying to achieve to help build my plan. I would obviously like to be strong but honestly, I'm more interested in looking the part such meant going down in weight, someone's quite significantly.
The weight has obviously gone up now as the goal is still progressive overload but it's not the be all and end all of what I'm trying to achieve.
I originally started strength training because
Starting Strength was such an easy weightlifting programme to follow and the increasing strength was addictive. It made sense to me to gain strength when it's easiest to (during noob gainz stage) before later deciding to switch to bodybuilding when a decent level of technique and strength exists for the foundation. However I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to see how strong I could get and intended to enter Powerlifting competitions - for my age group (19-20) and weight at the time (90KG), I was quite strong: 182.5KG, 112.5KG and 190KG (weak bench!) so would have done alright.
After the 4 year hiatus from the gym, I returned with less ambitious goals - regain strength, gain muscle I'd lost (and then some) and try cut some fat (body re-composition). A stronger muscle is a bigger muscle and more motivating to train due to progress being easier to measure. Strength training does gain muscular size, just in a less direct way.
TBH, I kinda don't train for strength or bodybuilding, more just have them as side effects of training.
Currently I'm doing:
Bench Press 3x5 or 4x8 (Dumbbell bench once every 2 weeks or so)
Pull Ups 3x10 (need to buy a belt to add weight as this is too easy now)
1 mile run or 90KG Trap Bar Deadlifts 2x8
Bicep Curls (very rarely)
1 or 2 sets of Pull Ups more to tire myself out
OR
Overhead Press 3x5 or 4x8 (Dumbbell bench once every 2 weeks or so)
Pull Ups 3x10 (need to buy a belt to add weight as this is too easy now)
1 mile run or 90KG Trap Bar Deadlifts 2x8
Bicep Curls (very rarely)
1 or 2 sets of Pull Ups more to tire myself out
It doesn't really have much of a structure as you can see.
My gym goal is more modest: Maintain bodyweight, improve body composition. Don't return to weighing 104KG @5'10.