Your meal looks *gooooood* Fu'
and very colorful lol
Anyways, since you were interested too, here's a lil info on the occlusion training.
First thing I wanna say is this technique has been around for quite a while and
is actually backed up with pretty solid studies showing great results in both
strength and muscle size increase, and improved vascularity and hypertrophy.
I personally experienced all of the above.
I used for arms and legs and the idea is obviously to block the blood flow
going to the trained muscle/muscle group by using a blood pressure cuff.
Ideally one should use the same cuffs used for the kaatsu training (the ones
used for the studies) but they are expensive and hard to find (japan only i think)
The blood pressure cuffs are good because you will know the actual pressure
applied but I find them very uncomfortable.
So alternatively you can use, well, pretty much whatever works, I personally use
knee wraps for legs, you wrap 'em right there below your crotch, I go down to just
above my knee, and a tourniquet for my arms or other rubber band that I have.
Another alternative (and what I advice you to start with) is a compression wrap,
the ones used when you're injured for example because they don't apply much pressure.
Now, please guys keep in mind that this technique IS dangerous, too much pressure,
or pressure for extended period of time can cause REAL damage.
So start light and keep your loads low, high reps, try it first and watch it..
Now I am to the point in which I use the same weight I was using 2 months ago
without occlusion, with the occlusion (applying pressure will make the muscle weaker,
less reps etc.. so the strength increase here is great), actually I just broke PR on bb squats
two days ago (and I'm still unable to walk..)
I could give you a guideline to begin with, actually I'll copy/paste it:
Add occlusion work at the end of a typical leg or arm day.
First set: 30 reps with 20 percent of one-rep max
Three subsequent sets: 15 reps with 20 percent of one-rep max, taking 30 seconds of rest between sets
Four sets to failure with 50 percent of one-rep max, taking 30 seconds of rest between sets
Four sets to failure with 50 percent one-rep max, taking one minute of rest between sets
Note: Do not remove the occlusion device until you've completed all of the sets.
This is good to begin with and everyone can then experiment and
see what works best for them, I actually do the heavy lifting with the
cuffs on and keep 'em a lot longer, but again, don't do it right away,
you might NEVER do that.. I'm crazy and a freak everyone knows that
and someday I'll die crushed by weights or by the volume of my workouts
So, be safe!!
