Day 2; First Real Supp Eval
Before you guys think I performing some Communist workout routine, my previous post describes how my entire body is pretty much in DOMS, with the exception of my anterior traps. Thus, today was a traps day, a forced workout almost, it was traps or nothing. Even my forearms are a little deuced from my bi's workout yesterday, so I did what I could. With that said, through this workout, i do have something to report on regarding my new Blue GENES.
Traps
Barbell Shrugs
225lbs x 20 reps
275lbs x 15 reps
315lbs x 12 reps
375lbs x 8 reps
Db Shrugs
90lbs Db's x 20 reps
100lbs Db's x 15 reps
105lbs Db's x 15 reps
110lbs Db's x 15 reps
120lbs Db's x 15 reps
125lbs Db's x 15 reps
Barbell Upright Rows - Close Grip
95lbs x 12 reps
105lbs x 12 reps
115lbs x 10 reps
What was the most notable today, was a shot of endurance, as you can see by the Db Shrug numbers. It wasn't my intention to go that many sets and remain that high in volume.
First note, during my beginning exercise, the barbell shrugs, I actually felt a little weaker then normal. I normally climb up to 405lbs before I get stuck at the 8 reps range. If I'm lifting for hypertrophy purposes, I don't normally drop below 8 reps, if I can't achieve at least 8 reps around the 3rd, 4th set, its time to move on. It wasn't until I performed the 100lbs Db's that I felt something kick in. As I theorized before, some of the effects of the supplement might require some waking up, meaning, once the cardiovascular system had time to get flowing, there would be positive effects in multitudes. Using the weight I did today is not uncharacteristically heavy for me, I consistently hit the 125lbs by the end of Db shrugs, but normally, if I start that low on the Db weight scale (with the 100lbs Db's), my numbers generally end up around 8-10 reps, by the time I hit 125lbs.
Also, right after I performed the 110lbs Db's, I felt a gush of blood enter my traps and they looked noticeably fuller and the muscle contour through the t-shirt was more prevalent.
My energy level is still a bit low, but that has more to do with the kind of sleep I'm "not" getting at this point in my stressful life.
Second Note. Lactate Threshold. We all know what the lactate threshold does and prevents. As lactate builds, the ability to contract diminishes, its that numbing feeling or "the burn" when you lift, sometimes the numbness will stop you from lifting, before your true muscle strength potential has been exerted. I felt symptoms similar to that. I theorized earlier that the compound effects of increased oxygenation and RBC circulation would have an effect in the likeness of supplementing with Beta Alanine. Also, if the biogensis of mitochondria (as proposed by the supplement) is effective enough, endurance adaptions should be taking place more and more drastically (or power, depending on the direction of your intensity/volume scheme). I mentioned earlier that mitochondria adapts and evolves to the stresses that the body undergoes. Mitochondria grow in size when the body is stimulated by power and intensity and mitochondria grow in number as a response to stressors of endurance.
I'll see how things fair when I get to do a "real" workout, like chest or back.