FireTitan
Legend
Just throw my name at them, youll be fine. Seems to work around here anyway. Lol
Sparks' Never Ending Training Log
- Thread starter sparks2012
- Start date
Just throw my name at them, youll be fine. Seems to work around here anyway. Lol
Sparkss
Well-known member
Glad you made it back safe and sound. We weathered Matthew well enough. Minimal property damage, no personal injury adn we have power and running water. So we can't complain.
I also am a bit outraged at the rude Customs agent. You are a US citizen AND active military. Not to mention arriving from an ally country. She was a small person who apparently was dissatisfied with her life and decided to try to take it out on others by exerting the little power she has (while she is behind that desk). You and your family deserved better. I never had the honor of serving, but have a great respect for those that do.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Glad you made it back safe and sound. We weathered Matthew well enough. Minimal property damage, no personal injury adn we have power and running water. So we can't complain.
I also am a bit outraged at the rude Customs agent. You are a US citizen AND active military. Not to mention arriving from an ally country. She was a small person who apparently was dissatisfied with her life and decided to try to take it out on others by exerting the little power she has (while she is behind that desk). You and your family deserved better. I never had the honor of serving, but have a great respect for those that do.
Glad to hear you guys literally weathered the storm safely
. As far as the Customs Agent goes...after a certain point you just say "f#%k em'" and move on. It used to really bother me, and it still does find a way to get under my skin with today's political and social climate. But for the most part you take it with a grain of salt because you actually know what you do and why you do it, whether people see it or not.
sparks2012
Well-known member
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Short session again. Can't complain, nothing as far as joints go we're bothering me yesterday and I had a solid pump. Would've liked to hit one or two more exercises for arms but they get a decent amount of work on chest/back.
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lol...I'm thinking I work best with short time available in the gym. Intensity was high today and everything except the Pullovers was done as a superset, although the app doesn't annotate that even if you select 2 exercises to be paired together. Weird. Anyway, fasted cardio this morning too, 15 mins on stairmaster. Carbs totalled in at just over 100g today. Little higher than I wanted but I needed some PB to finish out the cals for the day during dinner. My last meal was around 1:30-2:00 in the afternoon and I didn't train until about 8:15 this evening. Might as well have been a fasted session. My endurance suffered more than strength for the most part, I could still push weight easily but I became fatigued rather quick. Body is probably in shock after the harsh diet readjustment. Cals at 2,500 with a 40/35/25 breakdown of protein/fats/carbs respectively. Already noticing that I'm leaning out again, this time I don't feel as though I'm losing a ton of size either. Despite lack of carbs and food in general before the session I had a killer pump and I felt great; I was gassed but I still felt really good tonight.
Short session again. Can't complain, nothing as far as joints go we're bothering me yesterday and I had a solid pump. Would've liked to hit one or two more exercises for arms but they get a decent amount of work on chest/back.
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lol...I'm thinking I work best with short time available in the gym. Intensity was high today and everything except the Pullovers was done as a superset, although the app doesn't annotate that even if you select 2 exercises to be paired together. Weird. Anyway, fasted cardio this morning too, 15 mins on stairmaster. Carbs totalled in at just over 100g today. Little higher than I wanted but I needed some PB to finish out the cals for the day during dinner. My last meal was around 1:30-2:00 in the afternoon and I didn't train until about 8:15 this evening. Might as well have been a fasted session. My endurance suffered more than strength for the most part, I could still push weight easily but I became fatigued rather quick. Body is probably in shock after the harsh diet readjustment. Cals at 2,500 with a 40/35/25 breakdown of protein/fats/carbs respectively. Already noticing that I'm leaning out again, this time I don't feel as though I'm losing a ton of size either. Despite lack of carbs and food in general before the session I had a killer pump and I felt great; I was gassed but I still felt really good tonight.
sparks2012
Well-known member
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Dear god was this leg session brutal. I didn't intend on being on a time crunch again, but I laid on the couch when the wife got off work and fell asleep for a bit...woke up and saw the gym closed in an hour. Needless to say I downed PWO and was out the door 10 mins later lol. The weight didn't exactly feel heavy today, but once again I was feeling fatigued in general so once I got into my heavy-ish sets everything after the first rep was a struggle. Went just short of failure on squats, playing a dangerous game when you've got a half rack with no catch bars. What I didn't realise when I was home was that the 45's at the local YMCA are quite a bit a smaller, so it was almost like pulling from a deficit the whole time I was in the states. I PR'd on multiple occasions while unconsciously doing sumo deficits, so needless to say having the normal octagonal plates (which I hate now btw, they always end up rotating mid set and have the bar crooked as all get out so I'll often have to reset the bar mid-set) helped increase the speed and presumably strength as well. Only thing that's bothering me is grip. I still need to buy new straps. Or I just stay around 400 until I can grip it easily. After the main movements were done I decided to hit lunges. I hate them, as they tax everything from aerobic capacity to strength and willpower. There's probably no better unilateral exercise to target the lower body, aside from maybe pistol squats but progressive overload is more manageable with lunges IMO unless you're already a body weight exercise master. Anyway, I did those just short of failure every set and really focused on contracting everything. Makes a huge difference when you aren't focused on just taking "big steps". I have to give credit for the lunges and the info I just regurgitated to a top notch MI40 coach I follow on IG, "hypertrophycoach" is his handle. I'd encourage anyone to see what he's about. I've taken a lot of info from him and it's all worked out pretty well. Disregard the time it says the workout took at the top of the first snapshot too...I forgot to "end" the workout within the app so it just kept counting. Damn technology lol
Dear god was this leg session brutal. I didn't intend on being on a time crunch again, but I laid on the couch when the wife got off work and fell asleep for a bit...woke up and saw the gym closed in an hour. Needless to say I downed PWO and was out the door 10 mins later lol. The weight didn't exactly feel heavy today, but once again I was feeling fatigued in general so once I got into my heavy-ish sets everything after the first rep was a struggle. Went just short of failure on squats, playing a dangerous game when you've got a half rack with no catch bars. What I didn't realise when I was home was that the 45's at the local YMCA are quite a bit a smaller, so it was almost like pulling from a deficit the whole time I was in the states. I PR'd on multiple occasions while unconsciously doing sumo deficits, so needless to say having the normal octagonal plates (which I hate now btw, they always end up rotating mid set and have the bar crooked as all get out so I'll often have to reset the bar mid-set) helped increase the speed and presumably strength as well. Only thing that's bothering me is grip. I still need to buy new straps. Or I just stay around 400 until I can grip it easily. After the main movements were done I decided to hit lunges. I hate them, as they tax everything from aerobic capacity to strength and willpower. There's probably no better unilateral exercise to target the lower body, aside from maybe pistol squats but progressive overload is more manageable with lunges IMO unless you're already a body weight exercise master. Anyway, I did those just short of failure every set and really focused on contracting everything. Makes a huge difference when you aren't focused on just taking "big steps". I have to give credit for the lunges and the info I just regurgitated to a top notch MI40 coach I follow on IG, "hypertrophycoach" is his handle. I'd encourage anyone to see what he's about. I've taken a lot of info from him and it's all worked out pretty well. Disregard the time it says the workout took at the top of the first snapshot too...I forgot to "end" the workout within the app so it just kept counting. Damn technology lol
FireTitan
Legend
You probably do, knowing the time is short, you concentrate more and with less and shorter breaks in between sets, youre really flooding the muscles and creating more pump! Keep running on short time youd be surprised at the gainz you may see
sparks2012
Well-known member
True that! Thanks boss, more posts tonight after the gym. I'm telling you what, having to re-do low/no carb after going buck wild on my diet is harder than when I started. I'm so tired all the time and my motivation is low. Had to take a rest day yesterday, but I'm back in it today.
FireTitan
Legend
And you known that once youve been at it for a hot minute, itll be the norm. Keep at it
sparks2012
Well-known member
True that, I'm already noticing differences. Managed to only eat 61g carbs today. Trying to get as close to ketosis as possible. I'm still starving right now even though I just punished steak and eggs lol. It's getting easier, as far controlling appetite and cravings, I just need my energy to come back. After this week I should be good.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Alright guys, for anyone that's been following along I apologise for the consecutive missed days. My motivation has been at all time lows these past 4-ish days. Partly due to coming back off of a high amount of carbs and reintroducing higher fats/proteins, and low/no carbs. Body is hating me but I'm still getting up and doing fasted abs or cardio (15 mins, roughly) and prepping my meals. Yesterday was a rest day, I was just exhausted and my body was telling me to stop. I ate a little more carbs last night to try and brunt any recovery issues and woke up looking leaner and better. Today was delts/arms and I pushed hard in a total of 50-ish minutes. Did 5-6 sets of smith OHP with a triple drop at the end then right into heavy tricep work, then heavy curls. Last 20-30 mins was isolation work and some calves at the end. I'm running bare bones supps right now; multi/joint/digestion compound, PWO, and that's pretty much it. I have 3 tubs of modern BCAA+, a tub of Max Rep +NO3, and some more multi's on order so hopefully I can get those by Friday. Training without aminos is killing me, whether it's mental or actually hindering me is another thing, but I'm staying sore for a little longer and rest periods aren't as short. Overall, I'm still having productive workouts and making progress. Can't complain too much.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Did legs tonight fellas. Quick session as normal, but I hit a rep PR on sumo deads. 405x5, pretty stoked but my lower back was fried lol. I think lunges have helped with adding some power there. They suck, so they've gotta work, right? Will update more hopefully tomorrow. Work has been busy and low carb is absolutely effin' killing me right now. I'm beat by 4:00-5:00 pm every day. Nodding off on my couch by 7:30 if I'm not actively doing something.
FireTitan
Legend
Smokin work my man! Congrats on the PR
sparks2012
Well-known member
Thanks, FT! Are you logging anything ATM? Haven't seen much since the 'drol log ended. Then again, I've been away more than I would've liked to as well.
FireTitan
Legend
H3ll yeah! Logging Performax labs Powermax XT and Scivation Xtend Perform. Ill tag you in them. Ill be starting HiTech Pharms Synadrene as soon as it gets here. Still lifting although I took a 1 week hiatus for a broken finger. Got 455 on shrugs today though, had to use straps and 9 fingers. Lol. Glad to see you back up and running!!
sparks2012
Well-known member
Subbed in on both of them brother, I'll be starting an unsponsored USP Labs MaxReps +NO3 log whenever it gets in. It'll be the first non-stim pre I've ever used, much like you with PowerMax XT. There's been great feedback on it, so I'm hoping I can give my body a small break from bombing it with stims while using. I'll be on the lookout for the your HTP Synadrene log as well.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Saturday was delts/arms. Pretty standard session, I had some time so I didn't rush everything. Really trying to focus on contractions for rear delts and squeezing throughout the pressing movements. Still loving the smith machine presses, consistently pushing 205+ on them so my shoulders are usually pretty fried by the time I'm done with those. I've dialled back arm training to 3-4 exercises each for bi's/tri's and doing no more than 15 sets for each as well. Just really making sure to hit them hard and add in partials and other intensity techniques with them.
FireTitan
Legend
Definitely send you a tag on it.
Sparkss
Well-known member
I am liking the USP Labs line more and more. The Vanilla protein is off the charts good. I mixed in some of the pink lemonade Modern BCAA+ (sample I had) and I swear it was like drinking a pixie stick (almost a little too sweet, but definitely cured any sweet tooth I may have had).
Let us know how you like the MaxReps. I have a tub from the last AM promo that they ran, but I have not opened it yet. I already know that I like several of the ingredients, but would love to hear how you like it as a pre. although for me I usually need a stim of some sort as I work out early in the morning and need something to get me going. So I would need to add something to it, but I have bulk caffeine I can add a few mg of if it comes to that
.
sparks2012
Well-known member
I am liking the USP Labs line more and more. The Vanilla protein is off the charts good. I mixed in some of the pink lemonade Modern BCAA+ (sample I had) and I swear it was like drinking a pixie stick (almost a little too sweet, but definitely cured any sweet tooth I may have had).
Let us know how you like the MaxReps. I have a tub from the last AM promo that they ran, but I have not opened it yet. I already know that I like several of the ingredients, but would love to hear how you like it as a pre. although for me I usually need a stim of some sort as I work out early in the morning and need something to get me going. So I would need to add something to it, but I have bulk caffeine I can add a few mg of if it comes to that
I agree, USP Labs' line has done nothing but impress me so far. I'm sure that MaxReps won't be any different. They're one out of a handful of companies that I actually keep an eye on their new products, simply because they work. I was able to snag their newest BCAA flavor too, the Honeydew Melon sounded absolutely fantastic. Their profiles, flavors, and customer service are great. Anyway, yes of course I'll let you guys how it is, if and when I get it lol. It's been over a week since I ordered it and tracking hasn't been updated since it arrived in CHI on the 20th. I'm getting impatient and sore without my infra cocktails haha. MaxReps will also by my first outing with a stim-free PWO, but like I said I'm sure it'll deliver. I could also drink a cup of coffee before hand, gives me an excuse to get my girl on and have a pumpkin spice latte
sparks2012
Well-known member
MaxReps is amazing. Still ended up with a ton of energy, and wanting to do more but I'm not stimmed TF out. This should give my adrenal system a break, I have some stims in the morning and will have a coffee or two on the weekends, other than that I'll be going no caff for a majority of every day. Pumps were awesome, was able to assess that with a great arm and delt day. Endurance was pretty crazy too, like a switch was flipped. Great stuff, and as usual the flavoring is on par with the best of the brands out there. Not sure anything has touched MST's RagNOrok flavor or overall effectiveness yet, but this could certainly come close.
Edit: Lol yes, my package finally came in. The honeydew melon is just a freakin' good as I thought it would be. Love that stuff. I have 10 samples of modern pre as well, so I'll give it a go one of these weekend, once stacked with max reps, and once as a standalone. Regardless, MaxReps is a top contender for PWO's stimmed up or not, but we'll put it through a leg session before we start making any claims haha
Edit: Lol yes, my package finally came in. The honeydew melon is just a freakin' good as I thought it would be. Love that stuff. I have 10 samples of modern pre as well, so I'll give it a go one of these weekend, once stacked with max reps, and once as a standalone. Regardless, MaxReps is a top contender for PWO's stimmed up or not, but we'll put it through a leg session before we start making any claims haha
sparks2012
Well-known member
Had a quick leg session today, only about an hour and I wanted to focus on pulls, so that consumed a majority of my session. Hit 415 for 2 singles, not the best but I can't complain either. My lower back has been getting fried after deads lately so I'm hoping that I'm overloading it enough to get stronger and make a positive impact on my squat too. Speaking of squats, I'm not entirely pleased with my progression. One of the things I haven't tried is squatting very frequently, either every session or every other session. Go in with a set number of reps/sets at a certain percentage of my max and go from there. If I manage to get that done quickly, especially since I know I'd still have to train the scheduled muscle group(s), I feel that my work capacity and strength will come up. We'll see. Anyway, after pulls I hit 4 sets of lunges with an added 100lbs, sled press and plate loaded hamstring curls. That's all I had time for before I had to pick the wife up from work. I was drenched, so I know I did work but my quads aren't sore and I don't like that after a leg day lol
Also, the MaxReps was a good addition, even with legs. I wasn't gassed per say, I definitely could've done more, but I had a good pump going from the start and the lower back was almost a painful pump too
Also, the MaxReps was a good addition, even with legs. I wasn't gassed per say, I definitely could've done more, but I had a good pump going from the start and the lower back was almost a painful pump too
Sparkss
Well-known member
Not going to beat it in the taste department, but Conqu3r Unleashed is pretty awesome for focus and energy. So far for flavors tried, in order of best taste: Lemon, Kandy Krush and Strawberry Kiwi. The Lemon does not have a strong lemon flavor, imo, but it is pretty good tasting. I just can't place what it is. Strawberry Kiwi tasted a bit too chemically to me and upset my stomach sometimes. Kandy Krush takes more than a little getting used to. It is not a flavor I crave (like RagN0rok), but it is not bad once you get used to it. And it never upset my stomach (neither did the lemon). Taste aside they are top notch for a PWO.
I have a tub of Rag + two tubs of MAXReps (bonus samples), so I may give MR a try when this current tub of CU runs out.
EDIT: Right now Nutriverse is running a big sale, and OL products are included (20% off + 5% AM discount on top). And OL is running a 50% off sale on their site. I am pretty sure their OL UK site is included in the sale.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Damn man. If I wasn't trying to pay down CC's right now I'd be all in those sales, including BPS' sales too FireTitan. I've yet to try anything by either brand, and I've heard great things about both. Currently the wife and I are in "Save up/pay off everything for the upcoming PCS mode", lol we're probably freaking out more than we should but from past experience we've dropped 5k+ within a month of arriving at a new place. I think we've got it under control though
As far as flavor, you're right. Nothing has come close to the ridiculously natural tasting RagNOrok, I don't know how jalfrey and the guys behind MST do it but holy hell, I'm not complaining. USP's Modern BCAA flavors (strawberry pineapple, honeydew melon, cherry limeade) are great and subtle enough to have some sweeter varieties that don't churn your stomach during hard sessions. I just downed some ModernPre that came in some sample packs (fruit punch flavor) and the flavor didn't impress me, typical "chemically" fruit punch but the actual effectiveness seems promising as I'm already feeling it hit me. Will update on performance later.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Also, looking to switch up my program. My current one is getting boring, and I'm losing some drive to get in there. Still looking to try something where you squat every day, something similar to a Smolov program, but with a more bodybuilding focus. About to go in and start with a quick 5x5 on squats then hammer out chest/tri's. I don't have this whole thing figured out yet, so suggestions are welcome!
sparks2012
Well-known member
Awesome session, ModernPre works amazing even when fasted. First day of high frequency squatting in the books. 5x5 box squat working up to 345. Surprised myself there, but I'm gonna keep pushing my numbers with this new setup. After squats I immediately hit incline db's, then flat hex press, then decline bb, then flat polequin Flyes SS w/ EZ-Bar Skullcrushers, last but not least some Tri Pushdowns w/ V-Bar SS w/ push-ups. Finished with 3 sets of calves and abs superset together. Great session, pressing strength is still coming up and my pump was crazy. I was also extremely focused after dumping a lot of energy into the squats, so we'll see how that plays out in the future.
jalfrey
Well-known member
Damn man. If I wasn't trying to pay down CC's right now I'd be all in those sales, including BPS' sales too FireTitan. I've yet to try anything by either brand, and I've heard great things about both. Currently the wife and I are in "Save up/pay off everything for the upcoming PCS mode", lol we're probably freaking out more than we should but from past experience we've dropped 5k+ within a month of arriving at a new place. I think we've got it under control though
As far as flavor, you're right. Nothing has come close to the ridiculously natural tasting RagNOrok, I don't know how jalfrey and the guys behind MST do it but holy hell, I'm not complaining. USP's Modern BCAA flavors (strawberry pineapple, honeydew melon, cherry limeade) are great and subtle enough to have some sweeter varieties that don't churn your stomach during hard sessions. I just downed some ModernPre that came in some sample packs (fruit punch flavor) and the flavor didn't impress me, typical "chemically" fruit punch but the actual effectiveness seems promising as I'm already feeling it hit me. Will update on performance later.
I haven't been on the boards much at all the past couple months. I appreciate you calling me out! I've got to get my butt in gear around here. I can't take any credit whatsoever for the flavoring system MST uses. That stuff was already mighty tasty when I came along
FireTitan
Legend
Damn man. If I wasn't trying to pay down CC's right now I'd be all in those sales, including BPS' sales too FireTitan. I've yet to try anything by either brand, and I've heard great things about both. Currently the wife and I are in "Save up/pay off everything for the upcoming PCS mode", lol we're probably freaking out more than we should but from past experience we've dropped 5k+ within a month of arriving at a new place. I think we've got it under control though
As far as flavor, you're right. Nothing has come close to the ridiculously natural tasting RagNOrok, I don't know how jalfrey and the guys behind MST do it but holy hell, I'm not complaining. USP's Modern BCAA flavors (strawberry pineapple, honeydew melon, cherry limeade) are great and subtle enough to have some sweeter varieties that don't churn your stomach during hard sessions. I just downed some ModernPre that came in some sample packs (fruit punch flavor) and the flavor didn't impress me, typical "chemically" fruit punch but the actual effectiveness seems promising as I'm already feeling it hit me. Will update on performance later.
Man I would LOVE to see you run an Epidrone/Androcrine or Epidrone/Dermacrine cycle. As much and hard as you work, it would be amazing to see the results. If you do decide to, BPS is having a 30% off sale, and when youre ready, I always have a 15% code. Were also going to be having some promos coming soon! You just let me know when your ready and Ill do what I can for you. In the meantime, I understand the saving money thing. Its a must especially doing what you're fixing to have to do.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Bro I would love that more than anything as well, I'm excited for whenever my next run will be because I'll be throwing down on some BPS. Might not run anything for a while though. I want to enjoy the holidays and not worry about not being able to partake in some adult beverages should I choose to. I'll be sure to hit you up whenever I'm about to run something.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Today was squats and back, I didn't hit a 5x5 (paused reps) as planned. Instead I hit 5's up until 275 (4th set) for a solid 3 paused, then pushed for 1 x 295 (tiny pause, lol I didn't want to get stuck under that in a half rack). So, i did PR with the "new" squat form I've been using and the pauses felt good. The weight moved smoothly and my legs are surprisingly feeling great. Not a lot of DOMS and I've pushed them hard consecutively. Went with no stims today as well and after only 5 sets my legs were really pumped, and that just carried over into back training as well. I've still got a pump hours later (pretty rare for me, especially with back training). I've been following up every session with abs and calves but none of those today. I recently reincorporated planks into my routine and they have my core still really sore for whatever reason so I took a break from hitting abs today. It'll be interesting to see how an actual leg day will play out now that I'm squatting every session...maybe 1-2 all out sets then move on to assistance work and other movements I haven't been able to prioritize...we'll see. So far, so good. Hopefully this keeps up.
sparks2012
Well-known member
I haven't been on the boards much at all the past couple months. I appreciate you calling me out! I've got to get my butt in gear around here. I can't take any credit whatsoever for the flavoring system MST uses. That stuff was already mighty tasty when I came along
It's all good man. I haven't been as active either, taking a break from spending all free time on here lol...I need to get back on the boards more frequently though. And yes, maybe you can't take any credit towards the flavor of the product, but you sure as hell opened my eyes, as well as others, to an awesome brand that puts out products that easily distinguish themselves. I would've never known about MST had I not logged Rag.
FireTitan
Legend
Completely understand, and you know Ill be here!!
sparks2012
Well-known member
Alright fellas, so the squatting every session thing is working out pretty well. I've got some reworking to do as far as how my actual leg days are planned out, as a majority of it in the past was squatting. Slight "setback" but nothing major, I did 3x6 yesterday working up to 265, and I can tell this is working because 265 was moving pretty good. RPE for every squat session has been an 8+ altogether. No major recovery issues as of yet, I've increased carbs post workout (almond milk and granola cereal), yet carbs throughout the day are still minimal. Meals are the same during the week: 6 eggs, 1 bison/turkey burger, 3 strips bacon for breakfast. 6 eggs, 1 turkey burger, and 1 strip of bacon for lunch. Sometimes a bag of frozen broccoli is thrown in at lunch as well. Dinner hasn't been much this week, a bowl or 2 of granola cereal. Not heavily tracking intake right now either but the carb backloading (more so backloading than cycling or keto altogether) is helping me stay pretty lean (still finding new veins on the legs, exciting!) and my strength isn't dropping. Training is going pretty good too, today was box squats working up to 2 singles @ 365. Those were rough but I came up out of the hole. I used a regular flat bench so I could get a little lower than last time, and it worked out pretty well. Hitting just above parallel if not a little deeper on those, and I'm hoping to be up to 400 in 2 months. After that was chest today and my focus and contractions have been on point ever since starting with squats every session. Dunno what it is (I'm sure the MaxReps is playing a good role in this too) but I love it. I'll try and throw some pics up tonight, weight is at 195 as of yesterday so still 10-12 lbs under what I started at a few months ago.
FireTitan
Legend
Outstanding my friend!! You Just keep hammering it out!
sparks2012
Well-known member
Hey guys, sorry for the hiatus, again. Took last week off (6-12 Nov) from everything except for my PT test. That WAS my main concern, so after that I wasn't tracking anything diet wise. Wife and I took a trip to Wales, had a blast and our dog did too (If anyone wants to see some pics feel free to check out my IG, "sparksss2012"). Changed up my training again as well. I was lying to myself about how well the "squat every session" was going, as I tweaked that one tendon in the front of the thigh where it meets your hip, don't really know what happened or what caused it but it was bothersome enough to follow through with a week off training. I went back to a more normal setup and increased volume slightly because I upped cals to around 4,000 every day. My body is still thanking me for that, and I didn't lose much strength. Although, getting back in the gym even after only a week off left me pretty sore but I welcomed that feeling. I tend to get bored now pretty quickly if I'm in there for a while after adopting a "less is more" approach so, aside from legs, I've kept the sessions shorter and compacted. Almost a Yates approach (yes, again, as I have more knowledge under my belt on how to approach that style). Training is feeling good again, and the break from everything was much needed.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Chest/bi's today, strength still isn't exactly where I left off but it's coming back quick and it's honestly looking like some solid gains will be made this season. Don't know what it is; whether it be more endurance, better focus, or just plain old pushing through the sh%t, I was pushing past what I would consider the zone where I'd normally quit. That felt great, to be honest. Pump was crazy too, chest hadn't felt that full in a long while. Took 3 exercises on bi's to failure, total of maybe 13-15 sets. Good pump there too.
FireTitan
Legend
Those breaks are nice to have every now and again!! Glad to see you back with us!!
sparks2012
Well-known member
You know it my man, it was much needed. I just felt so worn down from dieting and tracking and training. Glad to be back in business though. I must admit, motivation still falters every now and then and it takes me a little longer to get in the zone since these winter months have set in. Once I get back on some stims I'm sure that'll fix it though.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Yesterday was a solid leg session, started with sumo pulls and I hit somewhat of a PR I guess. I don't think I've done 345 x 10 before (more like 7 +3 rest pause because a plate fell off one side. Damn bumper plates). Worked up to 1k+ on sled press and the reps were more controlled than ever, with clean execution. Didn't squat much, 3 sets of 10 moving up in weight. Box squats don't irritate the tendon but regular ones do so I kept it light at around 200-ish. I'm adopting a new-ish approach and taking a rest day every 2 days. I'm finding that recovery time is just right with how heavy I've been going. We'll see how it plays out. I plan on adding in 20 mins steady state cardio at the end of the sessions sometime soon. Still enjoying the carbs I'm taking in, but I need to stay mindful of excess consumption regularly.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Invalid Link Removed
Small update. Getting some good size back. Plus the "large" shirt is tight as hell
Small update. Getting some good size back. Plus the "large" shirt is tight as hell
hairygrandpa
Legend
Nice arms and overall. You are one of the few who train like a pro, with everything checked, the results are obvious!
I somehow got unsubscribed to your log, took a while until I noted something/someone was missing, sorry bro!
Awesome progress !
I somehow got unsubscribed to your log, took a while until I noted something/someone was missing, sorry bro!
Awesome progress !
sparks2012
Well-known member
No worries, HG! Like I said, I took a pretty long hiatus from following and posting for a while. So, no hard feelings. And while I greatly appreciate your comment about training like a "pro", I couldn't be anything further from that! Maybe I'm too hard on myself, maybe I'm so narcissistic that I'm chasing unattainable perfection (we've talked about that before, lol), or a combo of both. I will humbly accept your praise and keep pushing!
hairygrandpa
Legend
Sincerely, you already reached "perfection".
With training like a "pro", I meant all the package like counting calories, macross and all. Since you take all that really seriously, it shows. Have you ever considered to compete?
sparks2012
Well-known member
I have. And I will one day. I think I'm sitting at a respectable spot now, and after this offseason I'm highly considering competing once I add on some more quality mass. I want to sit at around 200 cut down, instead of the 188 I had reached a few months ago. To be honest I've just been scared of the commitment. I probably could've competed in men's physique this last cut and (hopefully) placed decently. Not to put myself above anyone else but I saw some pics of the dudes who competed at one of my base's "competitions" and some of those guys looked way too small to step on stage. Maybe I'm an a$$hole, but I wouldn't step on that stage until I knew I had a shot at winning.
sparks2012
Well-known member
I felt I was a little flat and frankly too small to compete in any of the "heavier" classes. Hell, Steve Cook competes in men's physique (transitioning to classic division?) and he's a monster.
HIT4ME
Well-known member
I hate when Sparks2012 posts pictures. But, I love hating it.
Sparks - you put in a ton of work. Do you feel like you work hard at this? By this I mean - I bet some of the things you do would seem like "too much work" for a lot of people. Do you feel like it is too much work? Or do you just kind of do it out of habit?
Sparks - you put in a ton of work. Do you feel like you work hard at this? By this I mean - I bet some of the things you do would seem like "too much work" for a lot of people. Do you feel like it is too much work? Or do you just kind of do it out of habit?
Sparkss
Well-known member
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Small update. Getting some good size back. Plus the "large" shirt is tight as hell
Love my USP Labs Barbell Club shirt. I have the same one (OD Green w/ Black writing, Large). Looks much better on you though
sparks2012
Well-known member
Too kind bro, too kind. Honestly, there's some days where I feel I worked really hard and others where I felt like I could've personally done better. Granted, those of us who actually get up and are active is more work than most people are willing for one reason or another to put forth. If all I had to do every day was train and eat and cook, then no, I wouldn't feel like it was too much work. I really don't like prepping food, an hell man, sometimes I don't like eating. It's still early in my gaining phase and I've had to almost force myself to eat some days. Other days I don't do it as well. Recently it's been about finding a good middle ground between pushing for something no matter the cost and having a healthy state of mind. I burnt myself out by staying too strict for too long (or maybe it wasn't the strict diet or time frame, maybe my obsession with it) and it took a toll mentally. I just wasn't in it. I still work hard, and I do put forth that extra "umph" 90% of the time but I've gotta give myself a break sometimes. In short - yes, most people would consider this too much (prepping, tracking, training, etc.), but it's habit now for the most part that I don't see it most of the time.
sparks2012
Well-known member
Love my USP Labs Barbell Club shirt. I have the same one (OD Green w/ Black writing, Large). Looks much better on you though
Favorite gym shirt thus far. The fit is insane and it's comfortable too! I haven't found anything to complain about towards USP Labs yet.
FireTitan
Legend
sparks2012 them there gunz are looking sick bro! You're definitely getting thicker!
smith_69
Well-known member
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Small update. Getting some good size back. Plus the "large" shirt is tight as hell
hey buddy good to see you
small update my azz- great progress and looking huuuuuge