A beastly road to the NPC A-nation championships

[juniorab]

Like dis?

http://www.bodysolid.com/Home/MB438RG/Pro-Grip_Lat_Bar_Pro

 

[superbeast668]

Like dis? http://www.bodysolid.com/Home/MB438RG/Pro-Grip_Lat_Bar_Pro

Absolutely. Just about the exact same less the rubber handles.

 

[juniorab]

Absolutely. Just about the exact same less the rubber handles.

Huh. It's almost like I sell this stuff for a living, hey?

 

[Hyde]

That's one of my personal favs as well probably. One of my gyms has an attachment similar to a Swissbar w/ 3-4 different width pegs, all neutral grip. Love it - pick a weight, start wide, and keep moving in as you fatigue trying to meet or beat previous reps.

 

[superbeast668]

That's one of my personal favs as well probably. One of my gyms has an attachment similar to a Swissbar w/ 3-4 different width pegs, all neutral grip. Love it - pick a weight, start wide, and keep moving in as you fatigue trying to meet or beat previous reps.

I know exactly what you're talking about. Elite has one. I've thought about buying it and carrying it in and out for back days

 

[Hyde]

Pulldowns or low cable rows; it's so great. Elite has sales that change every day or 2. I check it every day quickly (sometimes the articles are useful too), and when the right sale comes for the right product you can get steals of deals. They had a summer training sale that had their single & multiply gear & all bands on sale 40% off for 2-3 days. We're talking like $160 instead of $300 for a suit for an 800lb squatter. I bought like 6 shirts & some elbow sleeves for 80 bux and got free shipping last time I ordered. Just gotta wait and pounce when you see the really great deals once every couple months.

 

[juniorab]

That's one of my personal favs as well probably. One of my gyms has an attachment similar to a Swissbar w/ 3-4 different width pegs, all neutral grip. Love it - pick a weight, start wide, and keep moving in as you fatigue trying to meet or beat previous reps.

Like dis?

 

[Hyde]

Like dis?

Yes, but missing the bottom row (not that it's necessary to be missing, but it was a crappy welded homemade handle). That style handle is a load of fun.

 

[juniorab]

Yes, but missing the bottom row (not that it's necessary to be missing, but it was a crappy welded homemade handle). That style handle is a load of fun.

Ah, more like this then.

 

[Hyde]

Ah, more like this then.

That's the one! There you go, SB, order that baby from juniorab

 

[juniorab]

Lol. I absolutely LOVE these two brands of handles:

http://maxagrip.com/products/

http://www.trakfitnessllc.com/fitness/Cable-Exercise-Equipment-Attachments/page88.html

 

[wasme]

I too really lke the wide-neutral grip bar for pull downs.

While we are talking bars.. Would an olympic swiss bar be a good investment? I always like to buy a couple of new items a year. Especailly, when the xmas sales hit.

Looking at this:

 

[juniorab]

Whether it's a good investment or not depends on how you like to train and your main goals. I personally love my swiss bar as I have some major shoulder issues right now and the swiss bar lets me still be able to press right now. Some people also like it as a cheaper alternative to a log press. While you don't get the effect of the actual log roll, you get the feel of a neutral grip shoulder press which is a great switch up from a military press.

 

[superbeast668]

Whether it's a good investment or not depends on how you like to train and your main goals. I personally love my swiss bar as I have some major shoulder issues right now and the swiss bar lets me still be able to press right now. Some people also like it as a cheaper alternative to a log press. While you don't get the effect of the actual log roll, you get the feel of a neutral grip shoulder press which is a great switch up from a military press.

Exactly this. It's heaven on my shoulders. Wrists need work to support it though.

 

[MrKleen73]

What the hell I just walked in on bar porn and now I have a steel rod! I need some of these or maybe all of these. Way to make a guy want to spend money. juniorab where do you work again?

 

[juniorab]

I own a chain of fitness equipment stores up here in Canada. But if you are wanting some equipment, I may be able to help a fellow AM brother out.

 

[wasme]

I own a chain of fitness equipment stores up here in Canada. But if you are wanting some equipment, I may be able to help a few AM brother out.

What chain do you own? I might be in the market for a new power rack. As well as a swiss bar, and longer dumbbell bars.

(if you want PM me - I am in Toronto)

 

[MrKleen73]

I own a chain of fitness equipment stores up here in Canada. But if you are wanting some equipment, I may be able to help a few AM brother out.

I tend to get things for my home gym around Christmas but right now I am thinking about a nice TRX setup and some gymnastic rings for my daughter she just started gymnastics. However a swiss bar looks right up my alley.

 

[juniorab]

What chain do you own? I might be in the market for a new power rack. As well as a swiss bar, and longer dumbbell bars.

(if you want PM me - I am in Toronto)

PM incoming shortly.

I tend to get things for my home gym around Christmas but right now I am thinking about a nice TRX setup and some gymnastic rings for my daughter she just started gymnastics. However a swiss bar looks right up my alley.

I carry TRX, but the mark up on them is very low. Your best would probably be to look locally or online down there for those. Don't get me wrong, I would love your business and to help you out on them, but even if I sold them to you at cost and with shipping and whatnot, it would most likely still be cheaper the other route. With the gym rings, are you wanting wooden handled or steel?

You live in Texas right? How close to Houston? One of my good commercial suppliers, Promaxima, is located down there. I could do some stupid pricing for ya on their equipment. Actually, in regards to the TRX, let me talk to my rep from them. He's connected with Stroops down there and may be able to help me out with something in that regards.

 

[MrKleen73]

PM incoming shortly.



I carry TRX, but the mark up on them is very low. Your best would probably be to look locally or online down there for those. Don't get me wrong, I would love your business and to help you out on them, but even if I sold them to you at cost and with shipping and whatnot, it would most likely still be cheaper the other route. With the gym rings, are you wanting wooden handled or steel?

You live in Texas right? How close to Houston? One of my good commercial suppliers, Promaxima, is located down there. I could do some stupid pricing for ya on their equipment. Actually, in regards to the TRX, let me talk to my rep from them. He's connected with Stroops down there and may be able to help me out with something in that regards.

Awesome man I am in Houston actually! Well just south of there. I want wooden that is what they have at my daughters facility. Just something to help her with upper body and grip strength and maybe the old man can do some dips on them.

When I got the MI40 X2 program from BPak I got a special video for him with TRX stuff that looked awesome and have been wanting to give it a shot.

 

[juniorab]

Awesome man I am in Houston actually! Well just south of there. I want wooden that is what they have at my daughters facility. Just something to help her with upper body and grip strength and maybe the old man can do some dips on them.

When I got the MI40 X2 program from BPak I got a special video for him with TRX stuff that looked awesome and have been wanting to give it a shot.

Ok. I''l PM ya. This is SB's log and I by no means wanted to derail it. So let's get back to being beastly!

 

[MrKleen73]

Sounds good, and Beast you didn't need a full on hardcore chest session you have a monster chest already!

 

[superbeast668]

Ok. I''l PM ya. This is SB's log and I by no means wanted to derail it. So let's get back to being beastly!

No worries man!

 

[Hyde]

You really do have a well-built chest, SB!

Check it out btw - posted the results from my meet yesterday!

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/supplement-reviews-logs/255347-hydes-freaky-muscle-4.html#post4669706

Came in 3rd out of 4 in the Open 220 Raw class; I was so surprised not to be the bottom of the heap. Dude that took first had to have cut AT LEAST 20lbs; he was a meat titan and pulled 804lbs Sumo w/ just a belt. I sh!t you not. No idea what he squat or benched, but that might have beat Dan Green's 220 USPA record honestly.

 

[superbeast668]

You really do have a well-built chest, SB! Check it out btw - posted the results from my meet yesterday! http://anabolicminds.com/forum/supplement-reviews-logs/255347-hydes-freaky-muscle-4.html#post4669706 Came in 3rd out of 4 in the Open 220 Raw class; I was so surprised not to be the bottom of the heap. Dude that took first had to have cut AT LEAST 20lbs; he was a meat titan and pulled 804lbs Sumo w/ just a belt. I sh!t you not. No idea what he squat or benched, but that might have beat Dan Green's 220 USPA record honestly.

Fck! I knew it was soon don't realize today. Congrats on the better than anticipated placing. Good lord on that sumo did he shoot halo and tren suspension on the platform before the salts or was there like a hidden crane?! That's nuts!

 

[Hyde]

Fck! I knew it was soon don't realize today. Congrats on the better than anticipated placing. Good lord on that sumo did he shoot halo and tren suspension on the platform before the salts or was there like a hidden crane?! That's nuts!

Like, I would have video'd it, but I was watching him from behind the platform through the curtain since I'd just done my last attempt and was handling another guy in my flight before this dude. His legs were like pillars of thunder from Mt. Olympus when I watched him lock it out from behind, man. He looked like over 240lbs for real. I have no idea how he was able to cut to 220, but boy did he fill back out well.

 

[Hyde]

NVM Green's record is like 821 or something.

 

[superbeast668]

Like, I would have video'd it, but I was watching him from behind the platform through the curtain since I'd just done my last attempt and was handling another guy in my flight before this dude. His legs were like pillars of thunder from Mt. Olympus when I watched him lock it out from behind, man. He looked like over 240lbs for real. I have no idea how he was able to cut to 220, but boy did he fill back out well.

NVM Green's record is like 821 or something.

Dude sounds like he somehow got lucky getting into that class lmao. Either way he's in spitting distance of DG's 821.


Now that the hips a little better I think I'm going to work hard on my pulls and squats. I'll prob go for weight in the main lifts but do a bit more hypertrophy work.

 

[superbeast668]

Dude sounds like he somehow got lucky getting into that class lmao. Either way he's in spitting distance of DG's 821. Now that the hips a little better I think I'm going to work hard on my pulls and squats. I'll prob go for weight in the main lifts but do a bit more hypertrophy work.

Still gonna take it slow to not re aggravate... Should see progress while I push calories.

 

[Hyde]

Dude sounds like he somehow got lucky getting into that class lmao. Either way he's in spitting distance of DG's 821.


Now that the hips a little better I think I'm going to work hard on my pulls and squats. I'll prob go for weight in the main lifts but do a bit more hypertrophy work.

Just don't lose focus and get injured because I've gone off w/ all this fun crap - you still have competition goals to attend, and they should be your first priority.

 

[superbeast668]

Just don't lose focus and get injured because I've gone off w/ all this fun crap - you still have competition goals to attend, and they should be your first priority.

Oh they are. I was making good progress until i hurt my self. Still gonna keep it easy and slow. Just want a big boy squat and dead.

 

[love2liftkat]

Lots of fun toys being posted in here!! Super jealous!! Congrats Hyde that's great!!

 

[superbeast668]

was only joking in Kats thread when i said today was a rest day.

leg day. this was my own concoction, not one from matt. i found this format had my legs growing very well over the summer, not going to change it..

curls 4x15

squat, 2x10 2x8 3x5 1x8

banded leg press, 5x8. last set was a triple drop set.

leg extension rotation- 1 leg, 1 leg, 2 leg superset with walking lunges 4 sets

SLDL 4x6

smoked. smoked smoked smoked.

tested the hips a little. seemed to hold up well. hit 275 on my 5's. its 50lbs less and no pause less than what i was at this summer but its a start!

win@ 25mg ed added today. increased my AI as well. holding water. pure water buffalo but looking large

stupid ass nudes wont load. :-(

 

[superbeast668]

Bro science!!!

http://www.brobible.com/sports/article/how-to-eat-chicken/

 

[superbeast668]

chest and tri's today

inclines- went up to 275 for 6 which is 3 reps better than 2 weeks ago

swiss bar bench

ladder cable flies

superset flies, pushups

superset reverse grip push downs, over head extensions

chest and tri's are fully engorged. feeling great right now.

 

[Hyde]

chest and tri's today

inclines- went up to 275 for 6 which is 3 reps better than 2 weeks ago

swiss bar bench

ladder cable flies

superset flies, pushups

superset reverse grip push downs, over head extensions

chest and tri's are fully engorged. feeling great right now.

Did a lone superset of machine flyes and pushups the other week.....the burn was disgusting....don't know how you did multiple sets of that combo.

 

[superbeast668]

Did a lone superset of machine flyes and pushups the other week.....the burn was disgusting....don't know how you did multiple sets of that combo.

try doing every other hole on the cable cross with rests long enough to move handles AND THEN flies/push-up superset. I can get about 6 push-ups on a good day after that ass kicking.

 

[Hyde]

Yeah I can't get many in at all just supersetting it like I said lol

 

[MrKleen73]

Dom is hilarious!

 

[superbeast668]

Yeah I can't get many in at all just supersetting it like I said lol

It's fun. Unless there's a hot chick. Then it's embarrassing

 

[superbeast668]

found a real good article on TUDCA. Figured I'd share it with ya'll.

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid, more commonly known as TUDCA, is an ambiphilic bile salt, the taurine conjugated form of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).

That's a bunch of long words, but don't worry, we'll explain everything for you here.

TUDCA is implicated in many protective effects in the body, primarily aiding in treatment of cholestasis, a condition that blocks or slows the flow of bile from the liver. However, as you'll read in this article, there are a number of additional positive effects of TUDCA that go beyond the liver.

Terms

This section will explain some general conceptsof bile acid synthesis, and give a simple explanation of relevant terms.

Bile

Bile is a bitter fluid that circulates from the liver to the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) and aids in metabolism and the digestion of fats.

Primary bile acids are synthesized in the liver via oxidation of cholesterol into cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid. This process is rate-limited by an enzyme that is upregulated by cholesterol and downregulated by cholic acid.

Secondary bile acids are synthesized in the small intestine via intestinal bacteria (by dehydroxylating them into deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid). There are additional forms of the secondary bile acids where the hydroxyl substitutions happen at different places on the molecule. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is one of them, the prefix 'urso' hailing to the fact that this acid was first isolated from bears. These acids are typically found in only trace amounts in humans -- if at all.

Conjugated bile acids are acids that have been conjugated to a group that grants additional water solubility. These conjugates come in a wide range of forms but often include amino acids that are of particular interest to us. The amino acid taurine is one of these, and can be conjugated to UDCA to form our compound of interest, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA).

In summary

Tauro + Urso + Deoxy + Cholic Acid

(Taurine conjugated) + (Found in bears) + (Dehydroxylated) + (Primary bile acid)

The cholestasis problem


Cholestasis is a condition in which the regular bile acids cannot flow from the liver to the intestine. It can be caused by a physical blockage (which TUDCA will not help with) or as a metabolic side effect of many substances (such as anabolic steroids). This dangerous condition reduces the digestion of fats, and can result in jaundice and destruction of tissue in the liver.

Cholestasis causes

Cholestasis in athletes can be caused by supplementation with prohormones, becausesteroids and prohormones are hepatotoxic.[1] This can be further compounded by the use of methylated oral steroids since they pass through the liver repeatedly via the very process of enterohepatic circulation that is inhibited by cholestasis. This causes repetitive and extended stress on the liver and can result in major metabolic cholestasis.

When cholestasis is in effect,it triggers receptors (aptly named 'death receptors') that causes apoptosis (cell death).[2] TUDCA and other hydrophilic bile acids exert a cytoprotective effect on cells (that is, they prevent cell death) bytriggering receptors that promote cell survival.

This a very simplified explanation of the issue, and if you want to learn more, the linked articles are in mostly understandable terms. By increasing the portion of TUDCA in bile compared to harmful bile salts, you're diluting the ratio of harmful to protective bile acids.

TUDCA benefits

TUDCA exhibits neuroprotective effects, it can protect the brain against stroke and neurological injury, as well as the symptoms of various neurological diseases.[4, 5, 6, 7]
TUDCA's protection from cell death extends to cell death in general beyond that of just the liver via attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress.[8, 9]
It has been demonstrated to restore glucose homeostasis in the liver, muscle, and fatty tissue.[10] This is probably linked to its attenuation of ER stress. But the exact method behind this action is unknown. In a separate study on humans, TUDCA was shown to increase insulin sensitivity in liver and muscle but not fatty tissue.[11]

TUDCA has undergone numerous studies on its potential for increasing metabolic rate, however most of these have been in animals, and the results are inconclusive.

In rats, TUDCA supplementation increased circulating adiponectin levels. Levels of this protein are reduced by obesity and it is responsible for regulating glucose levels as well as fatty acid metabolism.[10]

TUDCA can reduce damage to the liver caused by alcohol when taken with or after consumption of alcohol, but actually increases liver damage when taken before drinking.[12, 13]

Safety and side effects

TUDCA underwent ay ear long safety study in humans and was not associated with any adverse effects at all when taken at 500mg daily.[14] In the human study on insulin sensitivity, no adverse effects were noted when consumed at 1,750mg daily for a four weeks.

This establishes a good record for safety in humans, something worth touting as many dietary supplements do not have this going for them.

Recommended dosage


On that note, 500mg per day seems to be the preferred dosage. Some products have 250mg dosages, which can be taken one to two times per day.

As always, talk with your doctor before beginning any diet or supplementation program, especially with an advanced product like this one. An endocrinologist may help as well, if you are taking this for treatment of hormonal problems.


References

Ishak KG, Zimmerman HJ.; Seminars in Liver Disease; "Hepatotoxic effects of the anabolic/androgenic steroids;" August 1987
Joana D. Amaral, et. al.; The Journal of Lipid Research; "Bile acids: regulation of apoptosis by ursodeoxycholic acid;" September 2009
Schoemaker MH, et. al.; Hepatology; "Tauroursodeoxycholic acid protects rat hepatocytes from bile acid-induced apoptosis via activation of survival pathways;" June 2004
Rodrigues CM., et. al.; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; "Tauroursodeoxycholic acid reduces apoptosis and protects against neurological injury after acute hemorrhagic stroke in rats;" May 2003
Rodrigues CM., et al.; Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism; "Neuroprotection by a bile acid in an acute stroke model in the rat;" April 2002
Dwan WN., et. al.; Cell Transplantation; "Tauroursodeoxycholic acid improves the survival and function of nigral transplants in a rat model of Parkinson's disease;" 2002
Ramalho RM; Journal of Neurochemistry; "Tauroursodeoxycholic acid modulates p53-mediated apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease mutant neuroblastoma cells;" September 2006
Amaral JD., et. al.; The Journal of Lipid Research; "Bile acids: regulation of apoptosis by ursodeoxycholic acid;" September 2009
Ben Mosbah I., et. al.; Cell Death and Disease; "Endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibition protects steatotic and non-steatotic livers in partial hepatectomy under ischemia-reperfusion;" July 2010
Ozcan U.; Science; "Chemical chaperones reduce ER stress and restore glucose homeostasis in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes;" August 2006
Kars M., Diabetes; "Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid may improve liver and muscle but not adipose tissue insulin sensitivity in obese men and women;" August 2010
Henzel K., et. al.; Biochimica et Biophysica Acta; "Toxicity of ethanol and acetaldehyde in hepatocytes treated with ursodeoxycholic or tauroursodeoxycholic acid;" February 2004
Neuman MG, et. al.; Gastroenterology; "Effect of tauroursodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acid on ethanol-induced cell injuries in the human Hep G2 cell line;" August 1995
Angelico M. et. al.; Italian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; "One-year pilot study on tauroursodeoxycholic acid as an adjuvant treatment after liver transplantation;" August-September 1999

 

[MrKleen73]

Nice article I think I have read it before but still a very nice article!

 

[jdg76]

Guess it is a good thing I am taking 500mg a day now

 

[superbeast668]

Guess it is a good thing I am taking 500mg a day now

I've seen some studies where it's even better up to 1g. Personally I'm too cheap to dose that high but I will point that out.

 

[wasme]

Nice article Beast..

 

[Hyde]

Was on 900 peeing clear as ever almost with a fair amount of orals. Stuff is baller. Just 500 makes night and day difference over nothing. If you're taking oral androgens, use TUDCA. If you're pinning androgens, use it anyway. They still hit the liver.

 

[superbeast668]

Was on 900 peeing clear as ever almost with a fair amount of orals. Stuff is baller. Just 500 makes night and day difference over nothing. If you're taking oral androgens, use TUDCA. If you're pinning androgens, use it anyway. They still hit the liver.

I've drank 3l at work alone. 3 23 ozers at home.. Still pissing brown. Can we play a game called guess the oral?

 

[superbeast668]

I've drank 3l at work alone. 3 23 ozers at home.. Still pissing brown. Can we play a game called guess the oral?

my next hint is I'm up 4 lbs in 3 days

 

[kenpoengineer]

Superdrol!!!

 

[tyga tyga]

20mg M1T 8)