5X5 + Animal= Strength & Size

atrain11b

atrain11b

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**UNSPONSORED**

5X5 + Animal= Strength & Size

For those of you who know me, I am finally settled into my new home, and its time I start lifting BIG again. There will be many obstacles to overcome down the road I am heading on, but with this Journal, and the help of the Animals out there, I feel my goals can be obtained.

Please feel free to comment, and ask questions. I will do my best to update this after each workout, and plan to track my measurements in here bi-weekly as well.

Primary Goal: Strength
Secondary Goal: Size
Overeall Goal: Add 25lbs+ to My 1 Rep Max for each lift

The Plan

I will be doing the Bill Starr 5X5 program for a minimum of 9 weeks as described here: Bill Starr 5x5 - Madcow Intermediate or Linear Version

The only change to the program is on Mon and Weds I will not be doing the assistance movements. These are weighted Hypers and Situps. The reason for this is because I conduct Morning PT Mon-Fri in the Army that consist of Running, Pushups, and Situps most of those 5 days. I feel this could become overkill with this program.

If I do not hit the prescribed numbers for that day, I will repeat that day the following week until my goal numbers for that workout/week are met. I have downloaded the Excel Program and will be using it as a guide as I set these numbers.

If a day is missed in that weeks succession, that days numbers will be used for that day the following week.

I will try to follow this through for at least 9 weeks. If I am still making gains at week 9, I will add weeks to it accordingly.

Supplements

Animal Pak
Animal Flex
Animal Omega
Animal Pump
Animal Test (Cycled over the 9 Weeks)
Animal Stak (May be cycled in with the Test. Unsure as of this moment)
Uni Liver
EAA Stak
Torrent
Real Gains
Whey Protein
Casein Protein

Diet

Due to Morning Cardio, I will do my best to overcome the use of those calories with my diet, therefore I have decided to add Real Gains to accommodate for the calories burned in the morning.

My main diet goal is to get calories in. I will use both the mirror, and tape measure to monitor my diet. I am through with calorie counting. I have limited amount of hours in my day, and therefore will not waste them counting calories, when I could be eating.

*Note: Most of the meat to be used will be venison until I run out, then it will be back to Angus Beef

Mon-Fri
Wakeup: 1 Scoop Whey, Banana
Morning Army PT (Cardio Based)
Meal 1: 4 whites, 1 bowl Cottage Cheese, 1 Bowl Grapes/Cantaloupe, 1 Bowl Oatmeal, Milk, Animal Pak
Meal 2: Real Gains, Animal Omega
Meal 3: Meat, Veggie, Carb, Milk, Animal Flex
Meal 4: 1 Bag Beef Jerky, Animal Test
Pre Workout: Apple, and 1 scoop Whey
Workout (Mon, Weds, Fri)
Post Workout: Torrent
Meal 5: Meat, Veggie, Carb, Milk
Meal 6: 1 Cup Cottage cheese and Natty PB, or 1 Scoop Casein and Natty PB

Sat and Sun are basically the same, except my Meal 1’s have bacon, biscuits, eggs over easy, etc. Good American Breakfasts

Fridays my postworkout meal is Wendy’s; Double with Ketchup and Pickle only, a baked potato, and Diet Coke.

Current Stats

Height: 6’
Weight: 185
Waist: 34 ½”
Shoulders: 49”
Chest: 41 ½”
Biceps: 13 ½” Cold 15 ½” Flexed
Forearms: 12 ¼”
Neck: 15 ¾”
Thighs: 23 1/8”
Calves: 14 ¾”

Estimated 1 Rep Maxes:

Bench: 255
Squat: 310
Deadlift: 355
Incline: 210
Row: 205
 
atrain11b

atrain11b

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Monday Dec 15

AM: Morning PT Canceled

PM: Gym 1230-1330

Squat; 125/5, 160/5, 190/5, 225/5, 255/5
Bench; 105/5, 130/5, 155/5, 180/5, 210/3
Row; 85/5, 105/5, 130/5, 150/5, 170/5

Started Animal Test today, felt no effects as of Day 1.
 

King Con

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VERY nice. I didn't know you had this. Consider me subbed. :thumbsup:
 
atrain11b

atrain11b

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VERY nice. I didn't know you had this. Consider me subbed. :thumbsup:
I was going to do it more as an Animal Test review, which I will still talk about, but its more of my Journey into the world of Powerlifting with Animal products as my spotter during those tough times.

Thanks for hoping on!
 
atrain11b

atrain11b

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Wednesday Dec 17 (Week 1)

Squat: 125/5, 160/5, 190/5, 190/5
Incline Bench: 110/5, 130/5, 150/5, 170/5
Deadlift: 180/5, 220/5, 255/5, 290/5 (All Raw, had straps on hand in case)

Second workout of the Official first week of the 5x5 program. I failed to mention I experimented slightly with the program prior to starting; I basically did week 1 and 2 to figure out where I stood on my 5 rep maxes. Essentially this program was built based on that experiment, and the result of those lifts.

I only say this to remind myself that this program will work, although it may seem easy now, I know it will get harder, and that eventually I will stall. as I slightly did on Monday with my bench.

The hardest part of this program is the down time, and simplicity of the lifts. I am so used to lifting Mon-Friday on either a 4 or 5 day split, that cutting down to 3 with a few exercises has me jonesing for more. However I understand the importance of both the workout, and the need for rest.

As for Animal Test, day 3 brought no noticeable effects. Continuing to monitor.
 

King Con

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I was going to do it more as an Animal Test review, which I will still talk about, but its more of my Journey into the world of Powerlifting with Animal products as my spotter during those tough times.

Thanks for hoping on!
Glad to be here and looking forward to how AT treats ya and the new PLing. I love the 5x5 though!
 
atrain11b

atrain11b

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Friday Dec 19 (Week 1)

AM: PT; Pushups, Situps, and Lower Body improvement. Time 90 minutes.

PM: Gym

Squat: 125/5, 160/5, 190/5, 220/5, 260/3, 190/8
Bench: 105/5, 130/5, 155/5, 180/5, 215/3, 155/8
Row: 85/5, 105/5, 125/5, 150/5, 170/3, 130/8

Assistance:
Weighted Dips: 35/8, 35/6, 35/4,
Barbell Curls: 65/8, 75/8, 85/5
DB Tri Extension: 70/8, 75/5, 70/3 (Went to heavy to quick)

Finished off with some Torrent, and a good meal. Incorporated the Mr. Dead Puppy Power Walks with my Basset.

Animal Test: Not sure if it’s the test, or the program, but I was hungry for those weights today. Felt I could have done more reps with more weight. However I know the importance is not to blow out early, so taking it in stride as the program prescribes. Had a ridiculous amount of energy today.
 
Inarius

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Friday Dec 19 (Week 1)

AM: PT; Pushups, Situps, and Lower Body improvement. Time 90 minutes.

PM: Gym

Squat: 125/5, 160/5, 190/5, 220/5, 260/3, 190/8
Bench: 105/5, 130/5, 155/5, 180/5, 215/3, 155/8
Row: 85/5, 105/5, 125/5, 150/5, 170/3, 130/8

Assistance:
Weighted Dips: 35/8, 35/6, 35/4,
Barbell Curls: 65/8, 75/8, 85/5
DB Tri Extension: 70/8, 75/5, 70/3 (Went to heavy to quick)

Finished off with some Torrent, and a good meal. Incorporated the Mr. Dead Puppy Power Walks with my Basset.

Animal Test: Not sure if it’s the test, or the program, but I was hungry for those weights today. Felt I could have done more reps with more weight. However I know the importance is not to blow out early, so taking it in stride as the program prescribes. Had a ridiculous amount of energy today.
Looking good boss. Keep it heavy!
 
atrain11b

atrain11b

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Monday Dec 22 (Week 2)

Squat: 130/5, 165/5, 195/5, 230/5, 260/5
Bench: 110/5, 135/5, 160/5, 185/5, 215/5
Row: 90/5, 110/5, 135/5, 155/5, 175/5

Assistance:
Weighted Hypers: 25/15, 25/12
Weighted Situps: 25/25, 25/25, 25/20, 25/20

Continuing to nail all weights for all sets along the progression. Weight feels good, sometimes almost to light. Bench is still the weakness. Wobbly on the last set, however completed all 5 reps with good movement, just a little shaky on the last set. Looking forward to Week 5 and on when most lifts become PRs. Went ahead and did the Assistance Ab related exercises due to morning PT not focusing on Abs as normal.
 
Inarius

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looks good boss man. Keep it up. 260 on squat isn't anything to laugh at
 
atrain11b

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Wednesday Dec 24 (Week 2)

Am (0630): 4 mile run

PM (1200): Gym

Squat: 130/5, 165/5, 195/5, 195/5
Incline Bench: 115/5, 135/5, 155/5, 175/5
Deads: 175/5, 185/5, 225/5, 260/5, 300/3

Felt great, failed on the 300 attempt for 5, I know I can lift that weight. It felt good, lift off was fine, could not lockout on rep 4. Biggest concern now is managing a 5x5 Powerlifting type workout, with Army PT. The workouts feel good, however, my morning runs are painful, quads are tight (even with stretching 3x a day), and I feel all the running is slowly affecting my Squats/Deads. I will not blame the Deadlift failure on the runs. However I will continue to watch my progress on both. Will advance on all other lifts, however, next week, I will repeat the same weight with those Deads until I hit my target, then up the weight. I hope it was something uncontrollable, and hope I do not have to reset back on the Deads this early into the program.

I need to find a way to continue to up my weights, and better my run times. I hope these 2 do not try to cancel each other out, and I begin to fail on both.
 
atrain11b

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Friday Dec 26 (Week 2)

Squat: 130/5, 165/5, 195/5, 230/5, 270/3, 195/8
Bench: 110/5, 135/5, 160/5, 185/5, 220/3, 160/8
Row: 90/5, 110/5, 130/5, 155/5, 180/3, 130/8

Assistance:
Weighted Dips: 35/8, 35/8, 35/8
BB Curls: 65/8, 85/8, 85/5
Tricep Extensions: 50/8, 60/8, 70/8

All in all a great workout. Hit all targeted weights for the desired reps. Set a PR on those weighted dips. First time completing 3 sets with a 35lb weight, now will add 5lbs more to each set with the goal of 8 reps. When I nail 40lbs x 3sets of 8, I will move on up to a 45lb plate.
 

King Con

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You are putting in some great work A. Keep it up. Getting serious in here.
 
atrain11b

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You are putting in some great work A. Keep it up. Getting serious in here.
Thanks B, next week, and all the weeks after will be when it gets serious. PRs across the board, as long as I don't blow out by then.
 
atrain11b

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Monday Dec 29 (Week 3)

AM: 2 1/2 Mile Run

PM: Gym

Squat: 135/5, 170/5, 200/5, 235/5, 265/5
Bench: 115/5, 140/5, 165/5, 190/5, 220/5
Row: 90/5, 115/5, 140/5, 160/5, 180/5

Assistance:
Weighted Hypers: 35/12, 35/10
Weighted Situps: 25/25, 25/25, 25/20, 25/15

Overall good workout, lost 5 reps on my situps, however added weight with some consistency to the Weighted Hypers. Bench felt better then normal, fought on the 220. Squats were good up until the last 2 sets, wobbled more then normal, but got the weight up. Concentrating on form during my lighter sets just to make sure I am not trying to overdo myself on the heavier sets, and lose the fundamentals in the process.

Diet has been as clean as I could through Christmas, yet did not pay it any attention on Christmas day.

Animal Stack Update:
Feeling as if the stack is working very well. I feel as if I am gaining some quality weight. I have not weighed or measured, but I have looked in the mirror, and my shirts fit tighter and better. Pants are still about the same in the waist, however tighter in the thighs. Feels good after 2 weeks. I know its only 2 weeks, that’s why I plan to BF test myself this Sunday to make sure I still have that under control. Not saying its only the supps, but they are contributing. Its hard work, and tons of food, however I currently fell that Test and some of the other Foundational supps are adding to my overall weight gain, even within 2 weeks. I have always ran this stack, but not with the quickness of thickness I am seeing now. The only additional supp that I am using is Test. You take that last sentence for what its worth.
 
CleetusVanDam

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good start bro, 5x5 is solid methodology! stick with it and youll def get stronger!
 
atrain11b

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Wednesday Dec 31 (Week 3)

Squat: 135/5, 170/5, 200/5, 200/5
Incline Bench: 120/5, 140/5, 160/5, 180/5
Deads: 185/5, 225/5, 260/5, 300/5

Nailed the Deads, the numbers nailed this week were the numbers that I should have nailed last week. Therefore I am one week behind on the progression of my Deads. However, everything else is still on track.
 
atrain11b

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Friday Jan 02 (Week 3)

Squats: 135/5, 170/5, 200/5, 235/5, 275/3, 200/8
Bench: 115/5, 140/5, 165/5, 190/5, 225/3, 165/8
Rows: 95/5, 115/5, 135/5, 160/5, 185/3, 135/8

Assistance:
Weighted Dips: 45/8, 45/8, 45/8 (**** Yeah PRs)
BB Curls: 65/8, 75/8, 85/5
Tri Extensions: Did not complete

Currently on 24 hour duty, found some spare time to sneak out and get a workout in. Had to watch my cell in case I was needed. Hate having the cell in the gym. However it didn’t mess my worout up at all until the end, had to leave before my last exercise.

I have no clue where those weighted dips came from. Goal was to try 40 for 8 on all sets then add weight. Had some stored up energy and said “**** it, lets go big” nailed 45lbs on all 3 sets. Huge PR for me. Don’t know where that strength came from. All in all, a great workout.

Looking forward to Fri next week, where all lifts should be PRs.
 
Inarius

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good luck with those pr's next week bud!
 
atrain11b

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Monday Jan 05 2009 (Week 4)

AM: Morning PT
Light Run, with Pushups, Situps, etc. Nothing to strenuous.

PM: Gym
Squats: 140/5, 175/5, 205/5, 240/5, 270/5
Bench: 120/5, 145/5, 170/5, 195/5, 225/5
Rows: 95/5, 120/5, 145/5, 165/5, 185/5

Assistance:
Did not do, was very short on time and was unable to get them in. Since these are weighted movements, I will make up them tomorrow after morning PT.
 
CleetusVanDam

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great job being consistent, the strength gains will continue to come if you maintain the consistency! how are you liking the animal supps?
 

King Con

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Consistency is the key and you are setting the bar high. Nice work A.
 
AZMIDLYF

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Just started 5x5 myself and will enjoy watching you grow with yours.
 
atrain11b

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I have had a hectic pass few months, that have non the less messed up my training. I lost a month do to a Military mission, but luckily finished my cycle of Test and a few more weeks of my 5x5 prior to the start of that mission. Will say the gains I saw both in meet on the bones, and weight added to lifts was great. However, I still have one can left, and will not use it until I am confirmed of not messing up the cycle schedule.

Another few weeks were lost to me getting Lasik eye surgery. Today was the first day I was able to lift since the procedure. I am currently in Oklahoma on another military mission, but I am making time to get into the gym starting today.

I am currently unable to dedicate the amount of time, and food dedicated to advancing using my 5x5, although the days per week of lifting are less then a normal hypertrophy workout, the fact that if I miss one day, it sets me back an entire week. Unlike with a hypertrophy type workout, I can bump that workout to the next day, or add it to the next time I can workout, end result is easier makeup.

Do to me needing something flexible with my current schedule, I will not re-start my 5x5 that I was doing so well on, instead I am going into a 4 day hypertrophy split, that allows me makeup time. If and when my schedule cools off, I will return to a 5x5. As of now, I would much rather concentrate on just eating, and lifting with the flexibility I need.

Either way, I am back, and plan to be posting off and on. It most likely won’t be daily, but I will update workouts in a new journey, and save this 5x5 journey for when I can dedicate myself to it. Look for a link to be posted sometime soon, for those who might like to follow.
 
Universal Rep

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Wassup fellas? What's goin' on in here?
 
atrain11b

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Wassup fellas? What's goin' on in here?
Hey U-Rep thanks for stopping by, to bad some things came up unexpectedly when I started this journal, been meaning to post it over here:


I have had a hectic pass few months, that have non the less messed up my training. I lost a month do to a Military mission, but luckily finished my cycle of Test and a few more weeks of my 5x5 prior to the start of that mission. Will say the gains I saw both in meet on the bones, and weight added to lifts was great. However, I still have one can left, and will not use it until I am confirmed of not messing up the cycle schedule.

Another few weeks were lost to me getting Lasik eye surgery. Monday was the first day I was able to lift since the procedure. I am currently in Oklahoma on another military mission, but I am making time to get into the gym daily.

I am currently unable to dedicate the amount of time, and food dedicated to advancing using my 5x5, although the days per week of lifting are less then a normal hypertrophy workout, the fact that if I miss one day, it sets me back an entire week. Unlike with a hypertrophy type workout, I can bump that workout to the next day, or add it to the next time I can workout, end result is easier makeup.

Do to me needing something flexible with my current schedule, I will not re-start my 5x5 that I was doing so well on, instead I am going into a 4 day hypertrophy split, that allows me makeup time. If and when my schedule cools off, I will return to a 5x5. As of now, I would much rather concentrate on just eating, and lifting with the flexibility I need.

Either way, I am back, and plan to be posting off and on. It most likely won’t be daily, but I will update workouts in a new journey, and save this 5x5 journey for when I can dedicate myself to it.

Link to new Journey: http://anabolicminds.com/forum/workout-logs/118857-taking-control-uncontrollable.html

I plan to return to this Journey as soon as I can confirm my schedule of a minimum of 8 weeks of no interruption, for a 5x5.
 

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