The Preworkout Ultimatum:
Ultima
Codename: Thunder V2
Custom from Omega Sports was generous enough to provide me a tub of Ultima; their caffeine-free pre-workout product.
I am very grateful to Omega Sports, and am eager get this log rolling!
Ultima has been receiving some very positive reviews, which can been seen here, as well as being very thoroughly logged by our own Steveoph, Iron Lungz and B5150.
So, why was I added to the list of loggers? Because I have a very long, self-inflicted bad relationship with pre-workout stims and the numerous negative side-effects they can produce. So much so, that I have primarily ditched them, settled in on a nootropic blend of my own devise, and used that or something similar with maybe a cup of coffee pre-workout.
I, however, have high hopes for Ultima – the uniqueness of it’s formula and ingredients, it’s suggested sublingual dosing, and it’s lack of caffeine make it very promising for a “pre-workout snob” such as myself.
For a full write-up on Ultima and its contents, see this page.
As each day proceeds, I will provide a review and explanation of my experiences with Ultima. I will relate any increases in performance, strength, energy, endurance and the overall sensation of what it is like to use this product.
About Me:
6’4”
244lbs as of this morning
BF% - I don’t care so long as it’s going down (11%?)
Squat: 400x2
Deadlift: 500x3
Bench: 335x3
(These PRs are from January, and I have gained strength since then, but have not again tested my maxes)
I am currently Recomping – attempting to maintain weight, replacing fat with muscle. Progress is slow, but constant.
I began lifting to gain size and strength in June 2006, weighing in at 180lb and about 10% BF. 60+ lb and almost 3years later, I feel I’ve made some tremendous strides, and have done so entirely naturally; I have never used anything more potent than T-911.
Supplementation:
Upon Waking: 5g BCAA, 2g Vitamin C, 700mg EGCG
With Each Meal: 5g Leucine, 40mg active Forskolin, 4g Fish Oil and 1scoop TP Gemma Protein
Pre-workout: ULTIMA sublingually, 15g EAA
Intra-workout: Ultima aqueously + 50g CHO + 25g 4:1:1 BCAA
Post-workout: 2.5C 1% Milk + 30g WPI
Pre-Bed: 5g EAA or BCAA + 3 ZMA caps
Diet:
I am following an Intermittent Fasting Protocol wherein all my meals occur within an 8 hour window immediately surrounding my workouts. On lifting days, my intake is ~4200kcals, and ~1800-200kcals on recovery days. I typically begin eating around 11:30am, workout at 1pm and finish eating by 7:30pm.
Yes, I realize this diet is unorthodox, but so am I. And, I have only gained strength while eating in this way and seem to be recomping as well, considering my pants are looser in the waist and tighter in the thighs, my shirts have not gotten looser in the chest or arms, and I’m down 2lb in ~2 weeks.
Lifting Day Macronutrients:
CHO PRO FAT
Breakfast 150 100 25
Post-w/o Meal 160 100 25
2nd Post-w/o Meal 120 100 25
Revovery Day Macronutrients:
CHO PRO FAT
Breakfast 15 85 25
Meal 2 15 85 25
Meal 3 15 85 25
Training Regimen:
I lift 4 days a week, with total body sessions each time. For this log, two lifts each day will emphasize strength, while the remainder of movements will focus on hypertrophy. Also, I will be shooting for a total number of reps at a given weight, rather than a specific set rep scheme. For example, tomorrow, for my first workout on Ultima, I will begin with Squats, aiming to do 24 total reps with ~6RM, for however many sets that requires. For Strength I will perform 24 total reps, for hypertrophy I will perform anywhere from 40 to 80, dependant upon the day and the movement in question.
Typically, I perform:
2 Lower Body Movements (3 including calves),
1-2 Upper Body Pushes
1-2 Upper Body Pulls
2-3 Accessory Isolation Movements
I will of course be tracking my number and progress with my workouts in this log. I also perform a minimum of 15min of moderate pace cardio following each lifting session, of whatever kind I choose.
Tomorrow’s the first workout! Thanks for reading along!