Whats the deal?

[ajdos]

Does anyone on the forums talk nutz and bolts about training anymore- I mean when Im out and about I see questions on DC and things but it is less and less anyones first hand experiences on some sort of training experience and some results they got or didnt get from there last regimen.
It seems the forums are just plagues with "check my cycle" posts more and more and nothing about systems to encourage the "growth" stimulus anymore.
Now its all about chemically bombarding the body and tricking it into some new kinda arm chair growth.
Maybe Im just old and grumpy and tired of seeing those "cycle" posts from idiots with less than a year of training under their belts...but its disturbing to me that there seems to be no original though anymore, no experimentation, just the same tired ass mantras of training that have been around for years.
I myself have been guilty at times of having little to say but from time to time I like to point things out that dont seem to be discussed.
Its no wonder the physiques on the boards seem to be less and less- overtraining, overdosing, and under eating seem to be the followed path of failure.
Yet the questions always center around gear, and if the gear isnt working then peptides and insulin are next in the cabinet.
I will share one of my latest personal discoveries with training.
I have been dieting for about 13 weeks now. I have had a multitude of injuries this off season which carried into my diet.
I had taken full weeks off at a time more than any time in my training history and yet the inflammation of my left elbow and shoulders seemed only to worsen. Now compounded by diet and cardio it seemed to me that my body was falling apart and I looked introspectively into the face of old father time thinking that my days may have passed and hard, intense, heavy workouts would be a thing of the past.
Quite by accident, I found that I was wrong.
Something I have written about many times was occurring but I didnt realize that it had manifested itself to such a degree. What I thought was being rested enough, wasnt even close. So, after a full week off , I ended up with a fucked up work schedule and my off time was just as hectic. So I ended up only training three whole times in a seven day period...I felt like I was shrinking, felt like it was me being a pussy. The next week I only was able to go to the gym 4 times. Now during this time I was dieting hard and doing cardio anywhere from 6-10 times a week. But it dawned on me that my elbow was healing and I was feeling better when I trained.
So, I decided that I would only train when I "felt" like I had fully recuperated from the previous lift- sometimes this was the next day, sometimes one or 2 days before I went back- but completely by feel.
With some of my lifts I noticed small changes but starting three weeks ago I was up to 315 on incline bench and 585 on deadlift (average for me) . By the end of the three week period I went up to 335 and then to 365 on incline bench, while dieting...and deads went from 585 to 615 to 635 thats a 50 lb increase on both lifts with a calorically restricted diet.
What I can say about this is that mentally I almost feel as if I am undertraining. But the thing I realized that seems to never be spoken of is that while dieting, the body recovers slower and growth occurs at a slower rate if at all sometimes...so why do we continue to train with the same frequency? No one seems to talk about it- the training intensity and volume I am using is more per workout but the frequency at which I impose the stress is less frequent allowing for growth to actually take place, even in a calorically limited environment.
Makes me think that I was doing the same last year in an over eagerness to improve certain lagging bodyparts and come in to this years shows at 265-270.
Guess it only shows that even a seasoned vet in the game can still learn something...always learn something.
I would bet that many people on the forums suffer from this malady, I would suggest that everyone take a close look at your training schedule and honestly assess are you recovering or are you wearing yourself thin?

[cole617]

My ADD wanted to reply before I finished reading , but I am glad I finished because I was just going to say what you ended up saying in the 2nd half of your thread!!!!!
I,Too, had been training 5-6 days ew because its worked for me for so long...Then I started getting horrific wrist pain, reoccuring pinched nerves in my back,etc....
So for once I took my own advice (that I have given to countless clients over the years) and cut both my training volume down and my days in the gym down to 3 days ew and bang! My intensity went right thru the roof and my aches and pains all but vanished!
Its a great way to mix things up, whether it be to revive intensity or cater to some injury you may be having.Or even just to mix things up...A few weeks training a few days a week, maximizing rest and letting the body recover from the all out abuse- that us hardcore trainers inflict- should be a regular tool that is used either (or both) as needed or even quarterly....When I do it, Its usually at a higher rep-range as well-to further let the body repair (CNS damage particuay).
It takes 14 days of not training at all and sub-par eating before your body begins to shed muscle, so don't worry... Training 10x a month (for one month) at 12-15 reps will not make you shrink and will def. Give you much needed rest and in MOST cases will boost strength and muscle gains after switching back to your normal split, or maybe even during.
As far as the over use of drugs and underuse of nutrition and training....I could go on forever. I feel everyone should have 5-7 years of natty training before even considering AAS. That's my opinion. I practice what I preach too, - trained for 5 years without anything, then 2 years with supps before I made the leap. I also was on the boards for over a year -reading my ass off- before I went on. I know this is why I get more out of lower doses and retain more "off cycle". I don't mind coming off either; Unless you are a competitive BB or over 35 I think coming off every so often is a good thing. I see too many 19 year old bros coming on the boards starting their first cycle (with no knowledge) and never coming off, because they are scared "of shrinking"-hell my best bro is one of these guys. Its totally a personal decision, I just think its a waste of natty gains to jump on too early and if most guys waited they wouldn't worry so much about coming off. (Obviously this doesn't apply to you competitors!)
There was a post talking about this awhile back and it said the guys that gain 40-50lbs every cycle-are the guys that didn't reach their natty potential before they started AAS. Most of us experienced guys, the ones I know at least gain 15-20 pounds. (Unless its an ungodly pro-type cycle) I know I do.To be honest, I gain all I need without going very far over 1500mgs tops and as far as tipping the scale can reach the same numbers with 600mgs of test. Now if I ever decided to compete, things would be different, but Im not...So I don't take AAS like I am.
Great topic AJ

[flex95]

i very much agree with aj and cole on this subject. yes i am a younger member on the board but i was training since 14 (may have been bad may not). experimented with regular supplents for a year or so (19 yrs old). when i hit 19 i started reading up on everything i could get my hands on. i read for a good year from multiple boards. started a year later on aas. yes i am kind of a hypocrit, but i did do things right. i was at my full potential on gains. i read up for a long time so i did not make any stupid mistakes. and i stilled learned. im still learning today. the fact is, at almost 22, yes im still young, i never took advantage of aas use niether did i just jump on them. you have to respect what they do and learn before use. over training is my problem as well. ive been off from the gym due to a car accident and bursitis in my shoulders, but finally started sunday lifting again to get myself back into it. feel good so far. As i said i am young, but for any newbie, follow aj and coles advice along with mine. get to your maximum potential without any drugs. then read up as much as you can. you can never have too many opinions or too much help. learn from these guys as i did. they are here to help. and once you think your ready, ask their opinion and they will help you out.

[Thunder]

I change & experiment all the time to see what Combos work during training. I've been traing for 20+ yrs

To many people looking for the majic pill.

[cb25]

preach on guys.

i'd love to see the board spark back some interest and actually get down to some real training info/advice again. it's not the popular theme anymore. remember when there was a good balance or cycle advice, mixed with a lot of diet/training? There's always been a group who were just in it for the anabolics...but nowadays people don't even seem to train anymore.